For many Iraqis who have been rattled by years of sectarian and civil war and the brutal occupation by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), violent conflict in daily life has become the ‘new normal.’ With billions of dollars worth of infrastructure turned to rubble, three million people displaced, and tens of thousands killed, injured or disappeared, citizens have struggled to hold on to hope.

To bring awareness to the factors that impact radicalization, NDI supported Niger’s National Center for Security and Strategic Studies (Centre National d’Etudes Stratégiques et de Sécurité - CNESS) as it undertook a study on the vulnerabilities to radicalization among youth in Niger. The study was carried out by a team of consultants who worked with regional field researchers to conduct interviews with 2,376 young people aged 18 to 40. The interviews were complemented with 25 focus groups and interviews with religious groups, traditional leaders and local security experts.

Dear Friends,

Within the span of seven days, the world lost two giants who stood for freedom and human dignity — Senator John McCain and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. They were public servants who dedicated much of their their lives to upholding universal values, and advancing democracy and human rights. This is a time when we remember the causes to which they were dedicated and honor their legacies. NDI is proud to have worked with Kofi Annan and his foundation in efforts to promote electoral integrity. 

On September 4th, 2018, former Ambassador Derek Mitchell will become NDI’s new president, taking over the reins from international democracy trailblazer Ken Wollack. In announcing the Board of Director’s decision, NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright said: