Saskia Brechenmacher
@saskiabr.bsky.social
Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict and Governance Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Also: PhD, University of Cambridge | Board member, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law. Work on democracy, gender equality, and civic activism.
Also: PhD, University of Cambridge | Board member, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law. Work on democracy, gender equality, and civic activism.
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
@saskiabr.bsky.social spoke to @nytimes.com about the connection between gender equality and democracy! Quotes in the thread🧵⤵️
Read Saskia's full report "The New Struggle Over Gender, Rights, and Family Values" here:
Read Saskia's full report "The New Struggle Over Gender, Rights, and Family Values" here:
The New Global Struggle Over Gender, Rights, and Family Values
Heated political struggles over gender playing out in several regions of the world are more than just isolated or temporary reactions to recent progressive reforms: They are a key front in a larger cu...
carnegieendowment.org
October 9, 2025 at 8:32 PM
@saskiabr.bsky.social spoke to @nytimes.com about the connection between gender equality and democracy! Quotes in the thread🧵⤵️
Read Saskia's full report "The New Struggle Over Gender, Rights, and Family Values" here:
Read Saskia's full report "The New Struggle Over Gender, Rights, and Family Values" here:
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
@saskiabr.bsky.social and I wrote in @foreignpolicy.com about the dismantling of gender equality architecture in U.S. foreign policy, including offices that were created more than six decades ago with bipartisan consensus. foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/13/t...
Trump Erases Women From Foreign Policy
The White House has overturned the decades-old bipartisan policy consensus that female empowerment serves U.S. interests.
foreignpolicy.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:17 PM
@saskiabr.bsky.social and I wrote in @foreignpolicy.com about the dismantling of gender equality architecture in U.S. foreign policy, including offices that were created more than six decades ago with bipartisan consensus. foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/13/t...
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
"The Trump administration has abandoned the consensus that women's participation and perspectives add value to U.S. security policy and operations." @rcturk.bsky.social @saskiabr.bsky.social @foreignpolicy.com foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/13/t...
Trump Erases Women From Foreign Policy
The White House has overturned the decades-old bipartisan policy consensus that female empowerment serves U.S. interests.
foreignpolicy.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:03 PM
"The Trump administration has abandoned the consensus that women's participation and perspectives add value to U.S. security policy and operations." @rcturk.bsky.social @saskiabr.bsky.social @foreignpolicy.com foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/13/t...
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
📽️📽️Check out the new explainer video from
@carnegieendowment.org on global lessons for nonprofits responding to shrinking civic space in the U.S.
The video highlights 3⃣ findings from the work of DCG Senior Fellow @saskiabr.bsky.social:
@carnegieendowment.org on global lessons for nonprofits responding to shrinking civic space in the U.S.
The video highlights 3⃣ findings from the work of DCG Senior Fellow @saskiabr.bsky.social:
Are These Global Strategies the Key to Protecting U.S. Civic Space?
YouTube video by Carnegie Explains
www.youtube.com
August 4, 2025 at 9:28 PM
📽️📽️Check out the new explainer video from
@carnegieendowment.org on global lessons for nonprofits responding to shrinking civic space in the U.S.
The video highlights 3⃣ findings from the work of DCG Senior Fellow @saskiabr.bsky.social:
@carnegieendowment.org on global lessons for nonprofits responding to shrinking civic space in the U.S.
The video highlights 3⃣ findings from the work of DCG Senior Fellow @saskiabr.bsky.social:
Civil society in the US faces new threats and pressures.
What can US nonprofits learn from strategies used by organizations and activists in other countries? This short video highlights findings from my research:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMbw...
What can US nonprofits learn from strategies used by organizations and activists in other countries? This short video highlights findings from my research:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMbw...
Are These Global Strategies the Key to Protecting U.S. Civic Space?
YouTube video by Carnegie Explains
www.youtube.com
July 31, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Civil society in the US faces new threats and pressures.
What can US nonprofits learn from strategies used by organizations and activists in other countries? This short video highlights findings from my research:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMbw...
What can US nonprofits learn from strategies used by organizations and activists in other countries? This short video highlights findings from my research:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMbw...
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
🎙️"A lot of these [illiberal] actors have recognized that gender issues are a really good mobilization tool...It becomes a symbol of what you are against."
Listen to @saskiabr.bsky.social's discussion with @markleongoldberg.bsky.social on the #GlobalDispatches podcast👇
Listen to @saskiabr.bsky.social's discussion with @markleongoldberg.bsky.social on the #GlobalDispatches podcast👇
The Global Backlash Against Gender Equality
Podcast Episode · Global Dispatches -- World News That Matters · 07/14/2025 · 28m
podcasts.apple.com
July 16, 2025 at 4:13 PM
🎙️"A lot of these [illiberal] actors have recognized that gender issues are a really good mobilization tool...It becomes a symbol of what you are against."
Listen to @saskiabr.bsky.social's discussion with @markleongoldberg.bsky.social on the #GlobalDispatches podcast👇
Listen to @saskiabr.bsky.social's discussion with @markleongoldberg.bsky.social on the #GlobalDispatches podcast👇
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
From Uganda to Nigeria, activists have pushed back against threats to protests, nonprofits, and free speech.
What can U.S. civil society learn from their success? We unpacked three strategies, based on work by @carnegiedcg.bsky.social's @saskiabr.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMbw...
What can U.S. civil society learn from their success? We unpacked three strategies, based on work by @carnegiedcg.bsky.social's @saskiabr.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMbw...
Are These Global Strategies the Key to Protecting U.S. Civic Space?
YouTube video by Carnegie Explains
www.youtube.com
July 17, 2025 at 7:05 PM
From Uganda to Nigeria, activists have pushed back against threats to protests, nonprofits, and free speech.
What can U.S. civil society learn from their success? We unpacked three strategies, based on work by @carnegiedcg.bsky.social's @saskiabr.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMbw...
What can U.S. civil society learn from their success? We unpacked three strategies, based on work by @carnegiedcg.bsky.social's @saskiabr.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMbw...
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
Around the world, issues of so-called “gender ideology” – or issues like gender equality and LBGTQ rights – are subject to a new, powerful wave of backlash.
@carnegiedcg.bsky.social's @saskiabr.bsky.social explained how this backlash manifests in different regions 👇
@carnegiedcg.bsky.social's @saskiabr.bsky.social explained how this backlash manifests in different regions 👇
June 5, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Around the world, issues of so-called “gender ideology” – or issues like gender equality and LBGTQ rights – are subject to a new, powerful wave of backlash.
@carnegiedcg.bsky.social's @saskiabr.bsky.social explained how this backlash manifests in different regions 👇
@carnegiedcg.bsky.social's @saskiabr.bsky.social explained how this backlash manifests in different regions 👇
Checking in from parental leave to share my latest paper with @carnegiedcg.bsky.social!
What's behind the contemporary anti-gender backlash? How does it manifest across different countries and regions? And why has it been difficult to mount an effective response?
🔽 🔽 🔽
What's behind the contemporary anti-gender backlash? How does it manifest across different countries and regions? And why has it been difficult to mount an effective response?
🔽 🔽 🔽
🆕| The backlash against gender equality playing out across the world is not just a passing "culture war." Rather, it is a key front in a broader cultural and political realignment.
Read @saskiabr.bsky.social's latest for @carnegieendowment.org👇
Read @saskiabr.bsky.social's latest for @carnegieendowment.org👇
The New Global Struggle Over Gender, Rights, and Family Values
Heated political struggles over gender playing out in several regions of the world are more than just isolated or temporary reactions to recent progressive reforms: They are a key front in a larger…
carnegieendowment.org
June 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Checking in from parental leave to share my latest paper with @carnegiedcg.bsky.social!
What's behind the contemporary anti-gender backlash? How does it manifest across different countries and regions? And why has it been difficult to mount an effective response?
🔽 🔽 🔽
What's behind the contemporary anti-gender backlash? How does it manifest across different countries and regions? And why has it been difficult to mount an effective response?
🔽 🔽 🔽
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
🆕| The 2024 election year did not bring major upticks in women’s political representation.
This negative trendline underscores that the road to gender parity remains arduous and uncertain, argues @saskiabr.bsky.social.
Read her newest publication for the Colmena Fund👇
colmena.fund/wp-content/u...
This negative trendline underscores that the road to gender parity remains arduous and uncertain, argues @saskiabr.bsky.social.
Read her newest publication for the Colmena Fund👇
colmena.fund/wp-content/u...
March 26, 2025 at 3:45 PM
🆕| The 2024 election year did not bring major upticks in women’s political representation.
This negative trendline underscores that the road to gender parity remains arduous and uncertain, argues @saskiabr.bsky.social.
Read her newest publication for the Colmena Fund👇
colmena.fund/wp-content/u...
This negative trendline underscores that the road to gender parity remains arduous and uncertain, argues @saskiabr.bsky.social.
Read her newest publication for the Colmena Fund👇
colmena.fund/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
How is Trump eroding U.S. press freedoms?
In their piece for @wpr.bsky.social, @saskiabr.bsky.social & Margot Treadwell highlight three key tactics, drawing insights from other backsliding democracies👇
In their piece for @wpr.bsky.social, @saskiabr.bsky.social & Margot Treadwell highlight three key tactics, drawing insights from other backsliding democracies👇
Trump Is Using a Familiar Playbook to Erode U.S. Press Freedoms
The experiences of other backsliding democracies demonstrate the dangers facing U.S. media freedoms during his second term.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
March 7, 2025 at 7:43 PM
How is Trump eroding U.S. press freedoms?
In their piece for @wpr.bsky.social, @saskiabr.bsky.social & Margot Treadwell highlight three key tactics, drawing insights from other backsliding democracies👇
In their piece for @wpr.bsky.social, @saskiabr.bsky.social & Margot Treadwell highlight three key tactics, drawing insights from other backsliding democracies👇
These men (Musk, Hegseth, Kennedy Jr, Dana White) "weren’t elevated despite their alleged abuse of women. Putting them in charge proclaims that their values are now ascendant — power, aggression, hierarchy and leader-worship."
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/o...
Opinion | Andrew Tate, Accused of Sex Trafficking, Is Trump’s Kind of Guy
The president ushers in a new age of aggressive male impunity.
www.nytimes.com
February 28, 2025 at 6:17 PM
These men (Musk, Hegseth, Kennedy Jr, Dana White) "weren’t elevated despite their alleged abuse of women. Putting them in charge proclaims that their values are now ascendant — power, aggression, hierarchy and leader-worship."
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/o...
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
"In addition to targeting a vulnerable minority, attacks on gender ideology open the door to a much wider offensive against equality norms and rights protections," asserts @saskiabr.bsky.social.
Read her full piece for @carnegieendowment.org👇
Read her full piece for @carnegieendowment.org👇
Trump’s “Gender Ideology” Attacks Are Following a Global Movement
In Europe and Latin America, the concept has been used to demand and justify far-reaching attacks on women’s rights and LGBTQ rights.
carnegieendowment.org
February 27, 2025 at 9:26 PM
"In addition to targeting a vulnerable minority, attacks on gender ideology open the door to a much wider offensive against equality norms and rights protections," asserts @saskiabr.bsky.social.
Read her full piece for @carnegieendowment.org👇
Read her full piece for @carnegieendowment.org👇
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
ICYMI - after the German elections, the most important take aways are on Democracy and Defense. Analysis from @saskiabr.bsky.social and me for @carnegieendowment.org
Germany's elections affirmed 2 major trends shaping its politics: increasing political fragmentation and the rise of the far-right.
The election results hold significant ramifications for Germany, the EU, and beyond, write @sophiabesch.bsky.social & @saskiabr.bsky.social for @carnegieendowment.org👇
The election results hold significant ramifications for Germany, the EU, and beyond, write @sophiabesch.bsky.social & @saskiabr.bsky.social for @carnegieendowment.org👇
For Years, Germany Has Looked Inward. Its Next Leader Doesn’t Have That Luxury.
Merz will urgently need take on responsibility for the survival of the European project.
carnegieendowment.org
February 26, 2025 at 2:22 PM
ICYMI - after the German elections, the most important take aways are on Democracy and Defense. Analysis from @saskiabr.bsky.social and me for @carnegieendowment.org
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
Germany's elections affirmed 2 major trends shaping its politics: increasing political fragmentation and the rise of the far-right.
The election results hold significant ramifications for Germany, the EU, and beyond, write @sophiabesch.bsky.social & @saskiabr.bsky.social for @carnegieendowment.org👇
The election results hold significant ramifications for Germany, the EU, and beyond, write @sophiabesch.bsky.social & @saskiabr.bsky.social for @carnegieendowment.org👇
For Years, Germany Has Looked Inward. Its Next Leader Doesn’t Have That Luxury.
Merz will urgently need take on responsibility for the survival of the European project.
carnegieendowment.org
February 25, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Germany's elections affirmed 2 major trends shaping its politics: increasing political fragmentation and the rise of the far-right.
The election results hold significant ramifications for Germany, the EU, and beyond, write @sophiabesch.bsky.social & @saskiabr.bsky.social for @carnegieendowment.org👇
The election results hold significant ramifications for Germany, the EU, and beyond, write @sophiabesch.bsky.social & @saskiabr.bsky.social for @carnegieendowment.org👇
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
Whereas US institutions completely failed to hold Trump accountable for his attempt to overturn an election, Brazil's institutions show some vigor.
Brazil Charges Bolsonaro With Plotting a Coup After 2022 Election Loss www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/w...
Brazil Charges Bolsonaro With Plotting a Coup After 2022 Election Loss www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/w...
Brazil Charges Bolsonaro With Attempting a Coup
Brazil’s attorney general accused former President Jair Bolsonaro of overseeing a scheme to try to hold on to power. The Supreme Court will decide whether he is arrested.
www.nytimes.com
February 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Whereas US institutions completely failed to hold Trump accountable for his attempt to overturn an election, Brazil's institutions show some vigor.
Brazil Charges Bolsonaro With Plotting a Coup After 2022 Election Loss www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/w...
Brazil Charges Bolsonaro With Plotting a Coup After 2022 Election Loss www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/w...
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
Experiences from backsliding democracies highlight the threats that the Trump administration poses to U.S. media freedom.
@saskiabr.bsky.social & Margot Treadwell examine three of these dangers in their newest for @wpr.bsky.social⤵️
@saskiabr.bsky.social & Margot Treadwell examine three of these dangers in their newest for @wpr.bsky.social⤵️
Trump Is Using a Familiar Playbook to Erode U.S. Press Freedoms
The experiences of other backsliding democracies demonstrate the dangers facing U.S. media freedoms during his second term.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 18, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Experiences from backsliding democracies highlight the threats that the Trump administration poses to U.S. media freedom.
@saskiabr.bsky.social & Margot Treadwell examine three of these dangers in their newest for @wpr.bsky.social⤵️
@saskiabr.bsky.social & Margot Treadwell examine three of these dangers in their newest for @wpr.bsky.social⤵️
For @wpr.bsky.social, Margot Treadwell & I highlight 3 strategies Trump is using to erode independent media:
➡️ Chilling effects through vilification, barriers to access & lawsuits
➡️ Exploiting the media sector's economic vulnerabiities to exert control
➡️ Cultivating alternative information channels
➡️ Chilling effects through vilification, barriers to access & lawsuits
➡️ Exploiting the media sector's economic vulnerabiities to exert control
➡️ Cultivating alternative information channels
Trump Is Using a Familiar Playbook to Erode U.S. Press Freedoms
The experiences of other backsliding democracies demonstrate the dangers facing U.S. media freedoms during his second term.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
For @wpr.bsky.social, Margot Treadwell & I highlight 3 strategies Trump is using to erode independent media:
➡️ Chilling effects through vilification, barriers to access & lawsuits
➡️ Exploiting the media sector's economic vulnerabiities to exert control
➡️ Cultivating alternative information channels
➡️ Chilling effects through vilification, barriers to access & lawsuits
➡️ Exploiting the media sector's economic vulnerabiities to exert control
➡️ Cultivating alternative information channels
The new DoJ leadership seems to think that “the policies of a democratically elected President and a Senate-confirmed Attorney General” take precedence over a Justice Department lawyer’s oath … to the Constitution."
www.stevevladeck.com/p/124-the-th...
www.stevevladeck.com/p/124-the-th...
124. The Thursday Night Massacre(s)
Two very different episodes on Thursday provide growing evidence of a Department of Justice that is showing less respect, by the day, for the rule of law.
www.stevevladeck.com
February 15, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The new DoJ leadership seems to think that “the policies of a democratically elected President and a Senate-confirmed Attorney General” take precedence over a Justice Department lawyer’s oath … to the Constitution."
www.stevevladeck.com/p/124-the-th...
www.stevevladeck.com/p/124-the-th...
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
President Trump's attacks against “gender ideology" are not about defending women, @saskiabr.bsky.social asserts.
Rather, they align with a global movement targeting LGBTQ rights and progressive gender norms.
Read her newest for @carnegieendowment.org⤵️
Rather, they align with a global movement targeting LGBTQ rights and progressive gender norms.
Read her newest for @carnegieendowment.org⤵️
Trump’s “Gender Ideology” Attacks Are Following a Global Movement
In Europe and Latin America, the concept has been used to demand and justify far-reaching attacks on women’s rights and LGBTQ rights.
carnegieendowment.org
February 14, 2025 at 9:03 PM
President Trump's attacks against “gender ideology" are not about defending women, @saskiabr.bsky.social asserts.
Rather, they align with a global movement targeting LGBTQ rights and progressive gender norms.
Read her newest for @carnegieendowment.org⤵️
Rather, they align with a global movement targeting LGBTQ rights and progressive gender norms.
Read her newest for @carnegieendowment.org⤵️
Trump's new executive order on "gender ideology" is not about protecting women. Instead, it reflects a broader transnational assault on progressive gender norms.
My take for @carnegieendowment.org @carnegiedcg.bsky.social:
My take for @carnegieendowment.org @carnegiedcg.bsky.social:
Trump’s “Gender Ideology” Attacks Are Following a Global Movement
In Europe and Latin America, the concept has been used to demand and justify far-reaching attacks on women’s rights and LGBTQ rights.
carnegieendowment.org
February 14, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Trump's new executive order on "gender ideology" is not about protecting women. Instead, it reflects a broader transnational assault on progressive gender norms.
My take for @carnegieendowment.org @carnegiedcg.bsky.social:
My take for @carnegieendowment.org @carnegiedcg.bsky.social:
The US is headed toward competitive authoritarianism, warn political scientists Steven Levitksy and Lucan Way:
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
The Path to American Authoritarianism
What comes after democratic breakdown.
www.foreignaffairs.com
February 11, 2025 at 4:08 PM
The US is headed toward competitive authoritarianism, warn political scientists Steven Levitksy and Lucan Way:
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
Rubio claims that @USAID lifesaving assistance for health and humanitarian needs will continue. But his team just communicated that the entire agency will be imminently reduced from 14,000 to 294 people. Just 12 in Africa.
February 6, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Rubio claims that @USAID lifesaving assistance for health and humanitarian needs will continue. But his team just communicated that the entire agency will be imminently reduced from 14,000 to 294 people. Just 12 in Africa.
Worth tuning into this:
Today at 2:30 pm ET, @sranderson.bsky.social, George Ingram, Tony Pipa, and Jonathan Katz will discuss the changes occuring at USAID as President Donald Trump and Elon Musk consider shutting down the agency.
Lawfare Live: What is Happening at USAID?
Join the Lawfare team for a discussion of the changes at USAID.
www.lawfaremedia.org
February 3, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Worth tuning into this:
Reposted by Saskia Brechenmacher
New — USAID staff received an email just a few minutes ago letting them know HQ would be closed to all personnel Monday. It’s likely some employees will miss the overnight email, show up and be turned away.
It was sent by Gavin Kliger, one of the young guys at DOGE doing Musk’s bidding.
It was sent by Gavin Kliger, one of the young guys at DOGE doing Musk’s bidding.
February 3, 2025 at 6:37 AM
New — USAID staff received an email just a few minutes ago letting them know HQ would be closed to all personnel Monday. It’s likely some employees will miss the overnight email, show up and be turned away.
It was sent by Gavin Kliger, one of the young guys at DOGE doing Musk’s bidding.
It was sent by Gavin Kliger, one of the young guys at DOGE doing Musk’s bidding.