Trump doubles down on obsessive US meddling in foreign countries, signs law to increase destabilization and regime change funding for NED from $180 million to $300 million, Dec. 20, 2019

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On Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, Trump signed into law “a package that increases annual funding for the National Endowment for Democracy from $180 million to $300 million [a 66% increase]. The Senate approved the measure on December 19.” 

Dec. 21, 2019, “NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY (NED), NDI, IRI, CIPE AND SOLIDARITY CENTER WELCOME INCREASED FUNDING FROM CONGRESS,” NED.org, Washington, DC 

“The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and its four core grantees, the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the International Republican Institute (IRI), the Solidarity Center, and the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) are deeply gratified that the U.S. Congress has shown strong [Uniparty] bipartisan support for our work with a substantial increase in NED’s annual appropriation. 

On Tuesday, December 17, the House of Representatives approved a spending package that increases annual funding for the National Endowment for Democracy from $180 million to $300 million. The Senate approved the measure on December 19 and it was signed into law by President Trump on Friday, December 20. 

“We thank the Congress and welcome this robust endorsement of the NED’s mission of advancing democracy around the world,” said NED President Carl Gershman. “This work is more critical than ever before as we confront [allegedly] dangerous challenges to democracy, including the rise of authoritarian states like China and Russia that are undermining democratic norms and values around the world; as well as opportunities for progress in transitional countries like Ethiopia  and Sudan.”

The NED is a bipartisan, [US taxpayer funded] non-governmental grant-making organization with the single mission of advancing democracy around the world. Governed by an [deeply interventionist] independent board of directors [such as Anne Applebaum, Victoria Nuland [“Yats is the guy”], and Elliott Abrams (currently on leave)]. 

NED provides support to over 1,500 non-governmental organizations annually in more than 90 countries. These groups are working to protect and advance democratic values, institutions, and processes, including credible and fair elections, independent trade unions, a robust private sector, independent media, and groups that defend human rights and the rule of law. NED’s four core institutes share the expertise of America’s civil society with grassroots partners around the world who are working to build stable democratic societies. 

“Congressional support for democracy assistance is a reflection of U.S. values and national interest – a fourth “d” alongside diplomacy, defense, and development,” said NDI President Derek Mitchell. “We are committed to ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars in support of democracy abroad, and to promote both a more peaceful, stable, and just world, and more prosperous and secure America.” 

IRI President Daniel Twining noted that the American people have also shown support for the advance of democratic values abroad. “Polling shows the American public believes supporting political freedom in the world is the right thing to do.”… 

[Ed. note: From NED’s link to 2018 poll, Americans are very unhappy, in “crisis” over US version of “democracy,” with “long-standing and well-documented” concerns: “They [Americans] endorse U.S. support for democracy abroad. But the public is also experiencing a crisis of confidence in our political system—a sentiment that spans partisan affiliations and demographic groups. And not all Americans perceive the same benefits from democracy, with some much more convinced of its importance than others….Such dynamics are hardly new, and the public voiced its dissatisfaction two years ago [2016] with the election of a nontraditional candidate for president.“...But NED says voters’ long-standing, sincere concerns are a threat to NED’s view: “While the concerns in question are long-standing and well-documented, they increasingly risk undermining our democratic experiment and must be addressed with new urgency today.” Since “US democracy” is in crisis, NED is selling a fraud. The “expertise of America’s civil society” is that its methods guarantee failure].

(continuing): “Investing in strengthening democratic leaders and institutions overseas enables our partners to push back against malign influence by authoritarian powers like China and Russia, reduces the conflict and lawlessness that drive mass migration, and creates a more safe, stable and prosperous world for Americans.” 

The importance of supporting the values of freedom and democracy extends beyond elections, as the leaders of NED’s business and labor institutes remarked: “The global competitiveness of values and norms extends to the economic sector, with the surging influence of authoritarian capital in markets across the globe, which threatens the competitiveness of American firms,” said CIPE Executive Director Andrew Wilson. 

Solidarity Center Executive Director Shawna Bader-Blau emphasized that, “democracy and the ability to exercise one’s basic human rights—including to demand a safer workplace or a more responsive government—are inextricably linked. As more people live in countries where inequality is on the rise and basic rights are eroding, the work to strengthen democracy everywhere is even more urgent.” 

Gershman highlighted that NED grants provide critical financial and moral support: “When NED and its institutes provide sustained support for the innovative and often courageous efforts of activists on the frontlines of democratic change, it sends the important message of American solidarity with the struggles around the world for democracy and human rights. With increased [US taxpayer] resources, NED and its institutes will be able to further bolster the work of activists who are our natural allies, while also countering authoritarian countries that threaten our security and democratic way of life.”
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Added: 

In 2019 NED spent millions meddling in Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia: 

“Belarus 2019,” National Endowment for Democracy 

In 2019 US gov. destabilization group “NED” spent $1,743,898 interfering in Belarus. The list of US activities shows US obsession with commandeering the flow of political “information” to the people of Belarus. Why does Belarus allow a foreign military power, the US, using US taxpayer funds to interfere with the relationship between the people of Belarus and their government? 

Added: 

“Ukraine 2019,” National Endowment for Democracy 

In 2019 US spent well over $1 million interfering in Ukraine, even giving $65,000 of “democracy” funds to a group headed by the undemocratic UK monarchy, Chatham House. US taxpayer cash went to UK Monarchy’s apparent Ukraine chapter of “Chatham House, (The Royal Institute of International Affairs),” which of course is headquartered in London. Why does a  US “democracy” group fund a “Royal Institute,”Chatham House, whose patron is the undemocratic Queen Elizabeth?…Is the Queen broke? If the Queen wants to “advise” democracies, she should give up her throne. 

Chatham House receives a US grant for “work” to create “democracy” in Ukraine: 

“Increasing Democratic Resilience and Social Cohesion” 

“Chatham House (The Royal Institute of International Affairs) 

“$65,000"

To strengthen the resilience of Ukraine’s democratic institutions. The London-based think tank will examine Ukraine’s vulnerabilities to foreign malign influence [you mean such as US and UK’s?] and propose strategies and policy recommendation to state institutions and civil society to increase resilience. Building on previous research, the [UK] think tank will conduct in-depth studies on previously identified vulnerable areas, consult with civil society and government experts across Ukraine, publish and distribute a policy brief, and convene outreach events.”… 

More on bloated “Chatham House Forum” interference in Ukraine: 

“The forum brings together a dynamic group of stakeholders, including politicians, practitioners, civil society leaders, academics and journalists to examine the political situation in Ukraine. It is managed by Orysia Lutsevych and governed by a steering committee of eminent academics, journalists and funders, chaired by Robert Brinkley, UK ambassador to Ukraine (2002-06).” 

“Chatham House” was part of UK efforts beginning in early 1900s to convert US elites into empire-lovers: 

In 1919: “American resistance to this agenda [of a new British Empire] was so strong that Lothian, Milner and the other leaders of the [British] Round Table soon established a new organization called the Royal Institute for International Affairs (Chatham House [of which the Queen is patron]) in 1919 with branches soon set up across what later became the Five Eyes Anglo-Saxon nations. This network would coordinate and adapt 19^th century British Imperial policy using new 20^th century techniques. In America, the [British] Round Table decided that the name “American Institute for International Affairs” was a bit too conspicuous and chose instead the name “Council on Foreign Relations” (CFR) in 1921.”…June 28, 2020, “The Age of Chatham House and the British Roots of NATO,""Strategic Culture, Matthew Ehret
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Added: Chatham House has an annual award: Chatham House’s annual award went to Hillary Clinton in 2013 and to Melinda Gates in 2014.
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Added: US meddling in Russia via NED: 

“Russia” 2019, National Endowment for Democracy 

US spent over $1 million meddling in Russia in 2019. If I were Putin, I wouldn’t allow NED in my country. I don’t understand why he does.

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Extra: The UK monarchy and its US-registered “Chatham House Foundation” (fundraising arm of Chatham House) aren’t qualified to inform persons in democracies about “rigorous analysis, independent speakers” or anything else. In 1982, in a pathetic attempt to be relevant in the non-royal US, Chatham House Foundation registered a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt charity registered in the United States “to bring to an American audience the type of rigorous analysis, independent speakers.“ 

“*The Chatham House Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt charity registered in the United States in 1982. The Foundation is a separate legal entity to Chatham House and has its own board of trustees. It makes grants to Chatham House under its objectives which are to promote the study of international affairs and to bring to an American audience the type of rigorous analysis, independent speakers and members events developed by Chatham House.”

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Comment: If the UK monarchy wishes to lecture democracies about anything, it simply has to close down Buckingham Palace and convert it to condominiums, low priced rental housing, and retail businesses on the ground floor.

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