The need for a revitalized, regionalized USdemocracy assistance approachGiven these threats, US democracy assistance remains essential for Western security—but it must evolve. The law labels these groups as entities that serve foreign interests, effectively criminalizing civil-society activity and directly undermining US and EU democracy assistance efforts. To remain effective, democracy assistance must adapt by emphasizing election monitoring, targeted civil society protection, and diplomatic pressure to revoke authoritarian legislation. A revitalized approach to democracy assistanceUS democracy assistance should embrace three pillars: people, the rule of law, and political processes. US democracy assistance must play an active role in supporting electoral integrity through monitoring, mobilization, and civic education.