Authoritarian reach and democratic response: A tactical framework to counter and prevent transnational repression (Marcus Kolga, Sze-Fung Lee, Iria Puyosa, Kenton Thibaut, and Lisandra Novo – Atlantic Council)

Foreign interference (FI) and transnational repression (TNR) represent a fundamental challenge to the international rules-based order by employing tactics that exist below the threshold of armed conflict while violating national sovereignty. Beyond national borders, authoritarian states have targeted policymakers, elected officials, researchers, journalists, activists, and diaspora communities worldwide to advance their political objectives. These TNR tactics encompass cross-domain operations, including surveillance, cyberattacks, disinformation, legal and judicial harassment, and physical and psychological assault.

Authoritarian reach and democratic response: A tactical framework to counter and prevent transnational repression – Atlantic Council