is always up to something good. Here’s the latest from his Foundation for the Defense of Democracy (home, thanks to him, of many dear, brilliant people):

Center for Liberty in the Middle East
Creates Transatlantic Partnership to Promote Democracy
Will highlight the work of reformers, provide advocacy training and support
Washington, D.C. and Brussels (September 13, 2006) – The Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the European Foundation for Democracy today launched the Center for Liberty in the Middle East (CLIME), a transatlantic initiative to promote democracy and support the work of reformers in the Middle East.
“As we mark the 5th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, we must recognize that there is still much work to do to empower moderates in the Middle East who are fighting for democratic values, such as tolerance and freedom,” said Eleana Gordon, CLIME’s U.S. director. “Our goal is to create a link between efforts in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East in support of the many reformers working without fanfare or resources to liberalize autocratic regimes and oppose totalitarian ideologies. We will work to raise the profile of liberal democrats throughout the region, help direct more resources to their efforts, and create a network of support for them.”
“Within Europe, there is growing interest in supporting the work of democrats in the Middle East,” said Roberta Bonazzi, CLIME’s European director. “The center will identify opportunities for cooperation and foster a dialogue between Europeans and Americans working toward the same goal. It will also serve as a bridge between Middle Eastern democrats and U.S. and European policymakers, media, NGOs and academics, to ensure that the voices of true reformers are being heard in the West.”
In support of its goals, CLIME will hold policy conferences and release white papers focused on reform issues, provide advocacy training and tools to pro-democracy individuals and organizations in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, and is now creating the Online Guide to Democracy Activists highlighting the work of reformers from throughout the region.
In addition to its U.S. and European Directors, CLIME has three senior fellows, a program officer, an advocacy director, and a distinguished group of advisors and adjunct fellows who are active in advancing liberal democratic values in the Middle East. CLIME has an international presence in Washington, D.C., Brussels, New York, London, and Amman.
Several CLIME publications are now available online, including: the Syria Monitor, which tracks developments within the Syrian opposition; the Egypt Monitor, which includes news on reform movements in Egypt; and the Voices from the Middle East on Democratization and Reform, a series of papers by reformers weighing in on how Western democracies can support liberal democrats in the region. The publications are read by policy makers, analysts and journalists. CLIME will soon add a series of research papers on five Middle Eastern countries holding legislative elections in 2006 and 2007: Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, and Qatar.