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New Atlanticist

Jun 15, 2020

How Maria Ressa described her fight for press freedom before her conviction

By David A. Wemer

During the Digital Forensic Research Lab’s 360/OS event in June 2018, Ressa described The Philippines, which has some of the highest rates of social-media usage in the world, as “patient zero in the fight [over] fake news.”

Disinformation East Asia

New Atlanticist

Jun 8, 2020

NATO secretary general unveils his vision for the Alliance’s future

By David A. Wemer

On June 8, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg laid out his plans for a new period of reflection on the Alliance’s mission and structure over the next ten years. At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated certain security threats to member states, including “unabated” Russian military activity, the spread of disinformation and propaganda, and the disruptive ascendance of China, NATO “must stay strong militarily, be more united politically, and take a broader approach globally,” he stated.

Coronavirus NATO

New Atlanticist

Apr 30, 2020

Idlib ceasefire is holding and could open door to long-term Syria solution, US envoy says

By David A. Wemer

The ceasefire negotiated between Russia and Turkey to halt fighting in the Syrian province of Idlib appears to be holding, US Special Representative for Syria Engagement and Special Envoy to the Global Coalition To Defeat ISIS Ambassador James F. Jeffrey said on April 30. “We have heard from many sources, even many Russian [ones], that there is a general feeling that this ceasefire is living up to expectations,” according to Jeffrey.

Conflict Coronavirus

David A. Wemer was associate director, editorial, at the Atlantic Council, where he wrote, edited, and produced the Council’s short-form written content. Prior to his work at the Atlantic Council, Wemer was DC program coordinator for the Eisenhower Institute. In 2018, Wemer was the director and managing editor of the Fellowship Program at Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, where he previously served as the 2016 Europe Fellow. In 2014, Wemer interned in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Office of International and Interagency Relations.

In addition to Council publications, Wemer’s writings have appeared in The Huffington Post, The Diplomatic Courier, Charged Affairs, Euractiv, The Kyiv Post, The Daily Star Lebanon, Real Clear Defense, and Real Clear World. His analyses and reporting have also been cited in numerous outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Financial Times, National Public Radio (NPR), Vox, Foreign Policy, Bloomberg, Slate, Quartz, Al-Jazeera, The National Review, The Daily Beast, Project Syndicate, and The Washington Times.

In 2013, Wemer was awarded the American Historical Association’s Raymond J. Cunningham Prize for his work on economic transition in Slovakia. Wemer received a MSc in European Union politics from the London School of Economics, a certificate in Russian politics from St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University, and a BA from Gettysburg College.