News and Analysis

Read the latest news, commentary, and analysis from the Ash Center.

Samantha Power and Anderson Cooper on CNN.

Video

Ex-USAID chief says gutting of agency could put millions at risk of death

Former USAID administrator Samantha Power says the gutting of the agency, with deep funding cuts to life-saving programs will have “devastating” consequences, potentially causing millions of deaths globally. This video originally aired on CNN. 

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From South Texas to Cambridge, Josh Cortez Carries His Story Forward
Josh Cortez taking a picture on stairs at graduation

Feature

From South Texas to Cambridge, Josh Cortez Carries His Story Forward

When Josh Cortez crossed the stage to graduate from Harvard Kennedy School in May 2025 as a recipient of the Roy and Lila Ash Scholarship in Democracy, he carried more than a degree—he carried generations of heritage, grit, and purpose. His story doesn’t begin in Cambridge but hundreds of years earlier, on the banks of the Rio Grande in Starr County, Texas.

Terms of Engagement – Censorship by Settlement?
Terms of Engagement

Podcast

Terms of Engagement – Censorship by Settlement?

What does Columbia’s recent settlement with the Trump administration mean for higher education? Are the First Amendment rights of Columbia and other universities being infringed?

Ex-USAID chief says gutting of agency could put millions at risk of death
Samantha Power and Anderson Cooper on CNN.

Video

Ex-USAID chief says gutting of agency could put millions at risk of death

Former USAID administrator Samantha Power says the gutting of the agency, with deep funding cuts to life-saving programs will have “devastating” consequences, potentially causing millions of deaths globally. This video originally aired on CNN. 

Technology and Democracy: What to Read This Summer
A collection of books from the GETTING-Plurality Research Network.

Feature

Technology and Democracy: What to Read This Summer

This list of resources, curated by the GETTING-Plurality Research Network at the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation, highlights emerging ideas at the intersection of technology and democracy.

A Summer Reading List for America’s 250th Anniversary
A collection of books curated by the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation.

Feature

A Summer Reading List for America’s 250th Anniversary

On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As this milestone approaches, the team at the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation has curated a collection of books, podcasts, and events that explore the meaning and impact of the declaration from 1776 to today. Join us in revisiting the document itself, reflecting on its legacy, and considering the ongoing struggle to uphold democratic ideals.

In Appearance Before Congress, Bruce Schneier Raises Concerns about DOGE Data Handling Practices
Cyber image of a lock on a computer screen

Feature

In Appearance Before Congress, Bruce Schneier Raises Concerns about DOGE Data Handling Practices

In a warning to lawmakers, cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sharply criticizing the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) handling of federal data. Describing DOGE’s security protocols as dangerously inadequate, Schneier warned that the agency’s practices have put sensitive government and citizen information at risk of exploitation by foreign adversaries and criminal networks.