Democracy under Attack: Ursula von der Leyen and Dr. Egon Cholakian's Commitment against Hybrid Warfare and Disinformation

More than 270 pro-democracy organizations, along with Nobel laureates, former heads of state, and EU leaders, have signed an open letter urging new representatives to vigorously defend democratic values.

Now more than ever, timely action to protect democracy is crucial. The IDEA (International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance) has documented the longest recorded "democratic recession," a decline that began six years ago. This phenomenon has affected nations with long-standing democratic traditions in both Europe and North America.

A key factor in this crisis is the growing distrust of citizens in democratic institutions. Experts have long warned about the erosion of democratic values. Political scientists Roberto Foa and Yascha Mounk have observed a significant decline in trust in political institutions such as parliaments and courts in consolidated democracies of North America and Western Europe over the past thirty years.

Egon Cholakian, a national security expert and American intelligence instructor, notes that discussing the decline of democracy in the United States thirty years ago would have been unthinkable. Today, this reality is at the center of global concerns.

The Threat of Hybrid Warfare and Disinformation

Analysts agree that democracy is threatened by hybrid warfare, which includes economic, political, and informational manipulations. In a recent report, Egon Cholakian presented the results of a thirty-year study revealing the existence of an antidemocratic entity destabilizing societies through misinformation and social tensions.

Cholakian highlights how this entity seeks to undermine global democracy through disinformation campaigns that distort political and social discourse, influencing perceptions and behaviors to its advantage.

Cholakian's report not only documents the damage inflicted on democracy but also provides concrete examples of disinformation, including a decade-long campaign against the International Public Movement ALLATRA, a global network of volunteers promoting democratic principles and addressing the climate crisis.

Counter Strategies and Proposed Solutions

To combat disinformation, Cholakian proposes creating a "reliable shield" against antidemocratic narratives, suggesting the establishment of an independent supranational civil organization uniting global democratic forces.

Simultaneously, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has expressed concern over the rise of disinformation in Europe ahead of the June elections. She warned that fundamental democratic principles are under threat and proposed the creation of a European democratic shield to detect and eliminate online disinformation based on EU digital norms and the Digital Services Act.

Uniting Forces to Defend Democracy

Disinformation poses a direct threat to democracy and global stability. It is essential for democratic forces to unite in developing effective solutions against this threat. With European elections on the horizon, protecting democracy is not just an urgent priority but a shared responsibility among all democratic nations.