Andrew Friedman
@andrewbfriedman.bsky.social
director and senior fellow @csis.org, former usaid, lawyer, occasional prof: human rts & democracy, dogs, all views solely mine
Reposted by Andrew Friedman
You know we all marvel that like, dolphins can sleep with half their brain at a time, and wow that's so weird.
But we rely fully on being STRAIGHT UP COMPLETELY UNCONSCIOUS FOR A THIRD OF OUR LIVES (if we are lucky enough to get that sleep). Defenseless!
WHICH of us is the weirdo!?
But we rely fully on being STRAIGHT UP COMPLETELY UNCONSCIOUS FOR A THIRD OF OUR LIVES (if we are lucky enough to get that sleep). Defenseless!
WHICH of us is the weirdo!?
November 17, 2025 at 8:50 PM
You know we all marvel that like, dolphins can sleep with half their brain at a time, and wow that's so weird.
But we rely fully on being STRAIGHT UP COMPLETELY UNCONSCIOUS FOR A THIRD OF OUR LIVES (if we are lucky enough to get that sleep). Defenseless!
WHICH of us is the weirdo!?
But we rely fully on being STRAIGHT UP COMPLETELY UNCONSCIOUS FOR A THIRD OF OUR LIVES (if we are lucky enough to get that sleep). Defenseless!
WHICH of us is the weirdo!?
Reposted by Andrew Friedman
NEW: The CSIS Global Development Department examines the dramatic changes in priorities, policies, and organizational structures to the development landscape since the second Trump administration took office.
🧵Learn more: features.csis.org/new-developm...
🧵Learn more: features.csis.org/new-developm...
A New Landscape for Development
Cuts to foreign assistance have been among the most sweeping changes of the second Trump administration. In this report CSIS’ Global Development Department examines what these changes mean, what has b...
features.csis.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:24 PM
NEW: The CSIS Global Development Department examines the dramatic changes in priorities, policies, and organizational structures to the development landscape since the second Trump administration took office.
🧵Learn more: features.csis.org/new-developm...
🧵Learn more: features.csis.org/new-developm...
This is a really fascinating looks at what bitcoin can do to counter financial repression in service of human rights defenders and others fighting for a better world.
Today, governments can see who buys what, who pays whom, and who donates to which cause. But they cannot easily trace or confiscate Bitcoin. The digital currency offers a lifeline to democratic movements operating in the most repressive places.
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/a...
October 30, 2025 at 2:37 PM
This is a really fascinating looks at what bitcoin can do to counter financial repression in service of human rights defenders and others fighting for a better world.
Reposted by Andrew Friedman
"The recent USAID closure and drawback of ODA have injected new urgency into a conversation around the inefficiencies of the previous model from both Western & Global South countries," @csishumanrights.bsky.social experts write.
What's the future of U.S. foreign aid? www.csis.org/analysis/shi...
What's the future of U.S. foreign aid? www.csis.org/analysis/shi...
October 8, 2025 at 5:00 PM
"The recent USAID closure and drawback of ODA have injected new urgency into a conversation around the inefficiencies of the previous model from both Western & Global South countries," @csishumanrights.bsky.social experts write.
What's the future of U.S. foreign aid? www.csis.org/analysis/shi...
What's the future of U.S. foreign aid? www.csis.org/analysis/shi...
Important piece going beyond the speeches on how the U.S. is pulling back its support for the U.N.
This week, President Trump spoke before the UN General Assembly for the first time in six years and delivered withering criticism of the world body, sparking questions about US posture toward the UN. HRI Senior Associate Allison Lombardo provides clarity on the state of US engagement: bit.ly/4gHGtR0
What Is the U.S. Posture Toward the United Nations?
President Trump delivered withering criticism of the United Nations at UNGA this week, but the future of U.S. contributions to the United Nations remains unclear. What will the future hold for U.S. su...
bit.ly
September 25, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Important piece going beyond the speeches on how the U.S. is pulling back its support for the U.N.
Best week of the year. I’m rolling with 602. He does a happy dance.
September 25, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Best week of the year. I’m rolling with 602. He does a happy dance.
Now this is a story, all about how…my favorite poll in a long, long time.
had a ton of fun working on this poll with @today.yougov.com about the songs that everybody knows the lyrics to, the generational anthems are super neat
www.numlock.com/p/numlock-su...
www.numlock.com/p/numlock-su...
September 21, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Now this is a story, all about how…my favorite poll in a long, long time.
This is important, both in its framework and its reminder that these deals create an opportunity, but they're far from an end. A lot of work is necessary to take advantage of those opportunities.
Turning President Trump’s peace overtures in foreign conflicts into more sustainable deals will require drawing on the significant body of research and practice that exists.
From Notre Dame’s Peter J. Quaranto and George A. Lopez:
www.justsecurity.org/120514/trump...
From Notre Dame’s Peter J. Quaranto and George A. Lopez:
www.justsecurity.org/120514/trump...
Turning Trump’s Peace Overtures into Sustainable Deals
The president’s many overseas peacemaking initiatives are more likely to succeed with a more collaborative approach drawing on research.
www.justsecurity.org
September 19, 2025 at 3:59 PM
This is important, both in its framework and its reminder that these deals create an opportunity, but they're far from an end. A lot of work is necessary to take advantage of those opportunities.
With the Trump Administration's focus on commercial diplomacy and centering assistance locally, I wrote with Amb Derek Mitchel suggesting a new tool to complement traditional foreign assistance in improving investment conditions, an Ambassadors Fund for Good Governance. www.csis.org/analysis/loc...
Local Tools for Global Competition: An Ambassadors Fund for Governance
Without good governance, foreign investment is unsustainable. Commercial diplomacy must pair with efforts to improve governance, fight corruption, and uphold the rule of law. We propose an Ambassadors...
www.csis.org
September 8, 2025 at 2:53 PM
With the Trump Administration's focus on commercial diplomacy and centering assistance locally, I wrote with Amb Derek Mitchel suggesting a new tool to complement traditional foreign assistance in improving investment conditions, an Ambassadors Fund for Good Governance. www.csis.org/analysis/loc...
This is incredible. Art is often all that can demonstrate the absurdity of authoritarianism and mass surveillance. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/b...
A Hidden Camera Protest Turned the Tables on China’s Surveillance State
www.nytimes.com
September 3, 2025 at 2:41 AM
This is incredible. Art is often all that can demonstrate the absurdity of authoritarianism and mass surveillance. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/b...
Great report by my colleague @lauratmurphy.bsky.social on the importance of what UFLPA has done, what can reasonably be asked of it, and how it might be repeated elsewhere.
As the third anniversary of the passage of the UFLPA approaches, a look at the act shows an enormous impact on trade, as well as on Americans’ confidence that they are not selling or buying goods linked to atrocities committed against the people of Xinjiang.
Read more: www.csis.org/analysis/ass...
Read more: www.csis.org/analysis/ass...
September 2, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Great report by my colleague @lauratmurphy.bsky.social on the importance of what UFLPA has done, what can reasonably be asked of it, and how it might be repeated elsewhere.
Reposted by Andrew Friedman
The single most important thing to understand about digital futurism is this:
When the digital future that Sam Altman ( or Elon, or Andreessen, etc) predicts fails to materialize, he doesn’t have to give the money back.
When the digital future that Sam Altman ( or Elon, or Andreessen, etc) predicts fails to materialize, he doesn’t have to give the money back.
August 29, 2025 at 12:14 AM
The single most important thing to understand about digital futurism is this:
When the digital future that Sam Altman ( or Elon, or Andreessen, etc) predicts fails to materialize, he doesn’t have to give the money back.
When the digital future that Sam Altman ( or Elon, or Andreessen, etc) predicts fails to materialize, he doesn’t have to give the money back.
Word is it’s #internationaldogday, so here’s Amber in various states of dufus. If you’re like me, you need random dog pics all the time these days.
August 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Word is it’s #internationaldogday, so here’s Amber in various states of dufus. If you’re like me, you need random dog pics all the time these days.
I'm late on this, but a fantastic rundown of what corruption means to ordinary people by my former colleague @abigailbellows.bsky.social. It's easy to think of these issues as abstract and removed, but they're not. A dollar stolen is a dollar not at a hospital. www.justsecurity.org/118796/human...
The Human Costs of Systemic Corruption
When core functions of the state become warped into tools of personal enrichment or political control, ordinary people suffer.
www.justsecurity.org
August 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I'm late on this, but a fantastic rundown of what corruption means to ordinary people by my former colleague @abigailbellows.bsky.social. It's easy to think of these issues as abstract and removed, but they're not. A dollar stolen is a dollar not at a hospital. www.justsecurity.org/118796/human...
Reposted by Andrew Friedman
On this date in 1919, Cleveland Indians pitcher Ray Caldwell was struck by lightning in the 9th inning vs the Philadelphia Athletics. He was knocked unconscious for a few minutes but continued pitching, winning the game 2-1. He threw a no-hitter a few weeks later.
August 24, 2025 at 4:17 PM
On this date in 1919, Cleveland Indians pitcher Ray Caldwell was struck by lightning in the 9th inning vs the Philadelphia Athletics. He was knocked unconscious for a few minutes but continued pitching, winning the game 2-1. He threw a no-hitter a few weeks later.
Bama’s description here of the human rights reports as a reflection of who we want to be and the world we want to live in is spot on. bamaathreya.medium.com/the-closing-...
The Closing of the American Heart
Last week, the US Department of State issued its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, a report mandated by Congress since…
bamaathreya.medium.com
August 18, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Bama’s description here of the human rights reports as a reflection of who we want to be and the world we want to live in is spot on. bamaathreya.medium.com/the-closing-...
Reposted by Andrew Friedman
WUSA-TV - DC restaurants saw a more than 25% drop in diners in the days following President Trump’s takeover of the city’s police department. www.wusa9.com/article/news...
Reservations plunge across DC restaurants after Trump's police takeover
Online reservations dropped more than 25% in the days following President Trump's announcement that he was federalizing DC Police, according to OpenTable data.
www.wusa9.com
August 17, 2025 at 6:50 PM
WUSA-TV - DC restaurants saw a more than 25% drop in diners in the days following President Trump’s takeover of the city’s police department. www.wusa9.com/article/news...
Reposted by Andrew Friedman
🧵 Originally began in part to inform U.S. security assistance, the delayed latest Country Reports on Human Rights Practices is now available, with expectation that much is no longer included. As reactions come in, we'll add to this thread. www.state.gov/reports/2024...
2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - United States Department of State
The annual Human Rights Reports cover internationally recognized individual, civil, political, and worker rights, as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agre...
www.state.gov
August 12, 2025 at 6:24 PM
🧵 Originally began in part to inform U.S. security assistance, the delayed latest Country Reports on Human Rights Practices is now available, with expectation that much is no longer included. As reactions come in, we'll add to this thread. www.state.gov/reports/2024...
Reposted by Andrew Friedman
As Trump and Putin prepare to meet for Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, Americans think Ukraine and the EU should also have a seat at the table. A March 2025 Council-Ipsos survey finds only 3 percent believe just the US and Russia should decide the terms for peace. brnw.ch/21wUPCc
August 11, 2025 at 5:41 PM
As Trump and Putin prepare to meet for Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, Americans think Ukraine and the EU should also have a seat at the table. A March 2025 Council-Ipsos survey finds only 3 percent believe just the US and Russia should decide the terms for peace. brnw.ch/21wUPCc
Wow this piece by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. #Belarus www.foreignaffairs.com/belarus/how-...
How to Resist a Dictator
What Belarus’ democratic opposition reveals—and what it needs to win.
www.foreignaffairs.com
August 11, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Wow this piece by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. #Belarus www.foreignaffairs.com/belarus/how-...
Reposted by Andrew Friedman
Corruption, labor rights violations, and general poor governance impede business operations. Who will help improve governance in countries where U.S. companies make deals?
Read the analysis from the CSIS Human Rights Initiative: #[cs.is/4frzhrj
Read the analysis from the CSIS Human Rights Initiative: #[cs.is/4frzhrj
August 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Corruption, labor rights violations, and general poor governance impede business operations. Who will help improve governance in countries where U.S. companies make deals?
Read the analysis from the CSIS Human Rights Initiative: #[cs.is/4frzhrj
Read the analysis from the CSIS Human Rights Initiative: #[cs.is/4frzhrj
Reposted by Andrew Friedman
With @timmiller.bsky.social - on Sudan, America and Polish wildflowers
www.thebulwark.com/p/anne-apple...
www.thebulwark.com/p/anne-apple...
Anne Applebaum: What USAID's Absence Looks Like on the Ground
The United States, through USAID, not only supplied a big chunk of the world's humanitarian aid, it also provided almost all of the logistical support for other aid organizations to deliver relief as ...
www.thebulwark.com
August 8, 2025 at 6:35 AM
With @timmiller.bsky.social - on Sudan, America and Polish wildflowers
www.thebulwark.com/p/anne-apple...
www.thebulwark.com/p/anne-apple...
We at @csishumanrights.bsky.social had a great pair of roundtables on commercial diplomacy. One of the main conclusions is just how much good governance is needed for it to work well. The private sector can step up its support, but it can only do so much. My take. www.csis.org/analysis/com...
Commercial Diplomacy Needs Good Governance
Can commercial diplomacy work without corresponding good governance efforts? Corruption, labor rights violations, and general poor governance impede business operations. Who will help improve governan...
www.csis.org
August 7, 2025 at 5:26 PM
We at @csishumanrights.bsky.social had a great pair of roundtables on commercial diplomacy. One of the main conclusions is just how much good governance is needed for it to work well. The private sector can step up its support, but it can only do so much. My take. www.csis.org/analysis/com...
Both the age breakdowns and the historical trend (85% approve at the time, 35% now) of Americans’ view on the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are fascinating. www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
80 years later, Americans have mixed views on whether use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima, Nagasaki was justified
Today, 35% of Americans say using the atomic bomb on Japan in 1945 was justified, while 31% say it was not justified. A third say they are not sure.
www.pewresearch.org
August 7, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Both the age breakdowns and the historical trend (85% approve at the time, 35% now) of Americans’ view on the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are fascinating. www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
Reposted by Andrew Friedman
Stand by this: www.politico.com/newsletters/...
February 19, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Stand by this: www.politico.com/newsletters/...