President @IRIglobal, supporting political freedom & democratic dignity in 100+ countries. Personally sanctioned by the Chinese Communist Party.
Joined April 2016
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- Following1.1K
- Followers11.6K
- Likes19.9K
Pinned Tweet
“Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself, something that encompasses you but is not defined by your existence alone.” @SenJohnMcCain @IRIglobal
Diminished participation at China’s fifth party plenum indicated that Xi’s purges had been greater than previously expected, with only 74% of the Central Committee’s original 205 members and 171 alternates appearing at the meeting.
The attendance rate was a “new post-Mao low”
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Daniel Twining retweeted
NEW: Russia is actively supporting Houthi operations to disrupt global energy markets by providing the Houthis with satellite imagery of Saudi oil and military infrastructure. Russian satellites have routinely been positioned above major Saudi energy and military sites in the days prior to and after Houthi attacks on those sites since July 2026. (1/2)
“Labor is helping to deepen the ties between North Korea and Russia… [North Korean] labor props up Russian industry, including sites linked to the war in Ukraine, while the revenue they generate helps fund North Korea’s military programme.”
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Daniel Twining retweeted
This controversy is absolutely nuts. The Mao revisionism is *wild*, with state media demanding that foreigners bend the knee to an excrescence who killed tens of millions of their own ancestors. This ridiculous headline, together the humiliating capitulation of the sports world. Mbappe said something that anyone who has had a passing glance at history knows: Mao was not merely a dictator, but the biggest killer of the last century.
In case anyone was wondering about PRC influence in sport, you have your answer. And in case anyone was wondering about how quickly “private” Chinese companies (sponsors) can be mobilised to do the bidding of the Party State, voilá. Getting the picture yet?
This is the Whole-of- State approach in action people. Everything is the Party, and nothing can challenge it.
Major brands in China have dropped Kylian Mbappé over a clip in which the French football megastar appeared to mock Mao Zedong, China’s modern founding leader.
vist.ly/5q5xz
A European diplomat expressed deep scepticism that economic deals were sufficient to persuade Putin to end the war in Ukraine. “It’s not about money,” they said. “It’s about humiliation and control.” 🎯
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Maria Corina Machado remains the country’s most popular politician, with a September survey by local polling group Meganálisis finding that she would win 61.2 per cent of the vote against Delcy Rodríguez’s 3.1 per cent in an election.
ft.com/content/f691e41e-dd01…
Daniel Twining retweeted
After nearly 12 years in power, serving as both Prime Minister and President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić has conceded defeat to the student-led protest movement.
Daniel Twining retweeted
A large turnout tonight in Tbilisi, Georgia. Day 697 of daily, uninterrupted protests. The week Georgia's Constitutional Court began hearings to ban the opposition.
Daniel Twining retweeted
The conditions allowing for the safe return of Ms. Machado to Venezuela is the direct result of the U.S. supported reconciliation talks which has already seen hundreds of political prisoners freed and hundreds of political opposition figures return from exile.
The United States expects the freedoms of all sectors of Venezuelan politics to continue to be respected. Likewise, we expect all political actors to support these talks which represent the best chance Venezuela has had in thirty years to peacefully achieve not just a free and fair election but an enduring democracy.
Sharp take by @jamiemfly @brodygoes on how 🇺🇸 can help the Iranian people free themselves from regime control of the information space.
Piercing the digital iron curtain would advance freedom & counter authoritarian repression in Iran & beyond.
washingtonpost.com/opinions/…
Daniel Twining retweeted
785,000 Georgians voted for groups now facing a ban.
The issue is bigger than any party or politician. Democracy depends on citizens having a genuine choice—& the ability to change their government peacefully.
Political competition is a democratic right, not a privilege granted by those in power.
Mat Burrows was a friend & mentor. We traveled regularly in Asia & Europe and spent years working together on his Global Trends strategic forecasts. We didn’t always agree but I always appreciated his sharp strategic insight & warm heart. RIP
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Daniel Twining retweeted
BREAKING: Flávio Bolsonaro surges in Brazil’s presidential election odds, with less than 24 hours until voters head to the polls.
82% chance.
Daniel Twining retweeted
In a time of increasing global volatility, do people still strive to be in a democracy? @DCTwining, whose work as president of the @IRIglobal takes him around the world, believes that is still a universal human aspiration.
“Everywhere we go, people are wanting to express themselves, to have voice, to have democratic dignity, to build out civic space, to be free,” he said onstage at the Chicago Council Conference Center last night.
Watch his full conversation alongside @NDI President Tamara Cofman Wittes and Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri: bit.ly/4Ax7VKz
Daniel Twining retweeted
In a divided America, from left to right we all agree on one thing: Everyone hates Putin.
.@EconUS/@YouGovAmerica:
In the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, who do you sympathize with more?
Registered voters
🇺🇦 66%
🇷🇺 3%
Dem
🇺🇦 82%
🇷🇺 1%
GOP
🇺🇦 52%
🇷🇺 4%
Ind
🇺🇦 64%
🇷🇺 4%
Lib
🇺🇦 88%
🇷🇺 1%
Mod
🇺🇦 65%
🇷🇺 2%
Con
🇺🇦 52%
🇷🇺 6%
MAGA
🇺🇦 50%
🇷🇺 5%
Oct. 19-20, 2026
Daniel Twining retweeted
.@EconUS/@YouGovAmerica:
In the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, who do you sympathize with more?
Registered voters
🇺🇦 66%
🇷🇺 3%
Dem
🇺🇦 82%
🇷🇺 1%
GOP
🇺🇦 52%
🇷🇺 4%
Ind
🇺🇦 64%
🇷🇺 4%
Lib
🇺🇦 88%
🇷🇺 1%
Mod
🇺🇦 65%
🇷🇺 2%
Con
🇺🇦 52%
🇷🇺 6%
MAGA
🇺🇦 50%
🇷🇺 5%
Oct. 19-20, 2026
Looking forward to this
Do democratic values advantage America and its allies in today’s geopolitical competition? Tomorrow evening, join @IRIglobal President @DCTwining, @NDI President Tamara Cofman Wittes, and Council President and CEO @londonvinjamuri for a discussion of how the US can tackle the challenges posed by authoritarian rivals and maintain the support of the American people in doing so.
Register to attend in-person or virtually: bit.ly/4Ax7VKz
ALT Promo graphic for the Council's 10/22 event "America's Place in the World: Global Volatility and Authoritarianism," featuring event details and speaker headshots.
Daniel Twining retweeted
- Putin is a war criminal. The Russians commit war crimes as a matter of course and the fact that they abducted our fellow citizen and sent him to a penal colony notorious for abuse is more evidence.
- Russia wants to push two narratives: that it is reasonable and that its military success is inevitable. Both are false.