Hudson Institute
Kleptocracy Initiative
Hudson Institute’s Kleptocracy Initiative explores how transnational corruption is reshaping global politics and security. Launched in response to Russia’s first invasion of Ukraine in 2014, its cutting-edge research has played a leading role in elevating the fight against authoritarian kleptocracy to become a core US national security concern.
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It is no coincidence that the world’s most corrupt regimes also pose the greatest threat to global security. Major US adversaries including China, Iran, and Russia are all structured as kleptocracies: Entrenching their authoritarian rule through corrupt domestic networks, and exporting corrupt practices globally to advance malign foreign policy objectives.
KI conducts advanced policy research on safeguarding the integrity of the US financial system, targeting the corrupt foundations of authoritarian adversaries, and advancing US global leadership.
Policy Center News
Nate Sibley was quoted in National Interest about the FinCEN Files and global efforts to combat illicit finance.
The Kleptocracy Initiative was mentioned in Foreign Affairs about the rise of strategic corruption.
Kleptocracy Initiative was mentioned in The American Interest about its contribution to the future of anti-kleptocracy policies.
Nate Sibley and Ben Judah cited by The Washington Examiner for their report on Kleptocracy enablers
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) applauds Hudson’s Kleptocracy Initiative on CNN
Hudson’s Kleptocracy Initiative report quoted in The Atlantic
Nate Sibley quoted in The Wall Street Journal on anonymous companies
Nate Sibley interviewed by Democracy and Freedom Watch on Russian corruption
Nate Sibley quoted in Hrmodske International on Russian Kleptocracy and the UK
Charles Davidson quoted in The Washington Post on the use of real-estate to obscure the identities of the uber-wealthy
Charles Davidson quoted by The National Endowment for Democracy on the relationship between kleptocracy and authoritarianism
Charles Davidson article on global fight against Kleptocracy featured in The Hill
Belinda Li’s article on China’s anti-corruption campaign cited in The Wall Street Journal
Ben Judah’s new report, The Kleptocracy Curse: Rethinking Containment written up in The Diplomat
Marius Laurinavičius quoted in Delfi on Russian foreign policy
Julie Davidson quoted in New York Times on why the recently-deceased Mikhail Lesin’s questionable investments weren’t ever investigated
Hudson’s Kleptocracy Initiative event with Dr. Mark Galeotti mentioned in Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Event: Fighting Kleptocracy
Remarks made by Dr. Mark Galeotti at a Hudson event on Russia’s kleptocracy quoted in RFE/RL
Charles Davidson quoted in CNN on kleptocracies and autocracies
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Experts
Nate Sibley
Research Fellow
Marshall Billingslea
Senior Fellow
Casey Michel
Adjunct Fellow, Kleptocracy Initiative
Events
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Nate Sibley discusses criticism of the war in Ukraine from Russia’s financial elite.
CNN
Casey Michel discusses sanctions on Putin's Daughters.
News Nation
Casey Michel explains how Putin hides banks accounts and swathes of money in the names of his inner circle, including possibly his daughters.
CNN
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