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THE INVISIBLE HAND: UNRAVELING GLOBAL INFLUENCE, SECRET NETWORKS, AND CULTURAL POWER PLAYS. PART-3(BHARAT)



The Global Network of Influence: PEN International and Its Funding Channels


The Funding of PEN International Congresses


PEN International, a prominent global writers' organization, has held its recent congresses with financial backing from various institutions. Notably:

  • The 83rd PEN International Congress in Ukraine was funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and George Soros.

  • The 84th PEN International Congress in Pune, India received funding from the RAZA Foundation.

  • The 85th PEN International Congress in the Philippines was financed by The Asia Foundation, an organization historically linked to CIA funding (referencing declassified reports from Parts 15 and 16 of documented investigations).


The Expansive Network.


PEN International is closely associated with the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), an umbrella organization advocating for press and speech freedoms worldwide.

In India, IFEX is represented by the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC), founded by legal expert Mishi Chaudhary. IFEX receives financial support from entities such as:

  • Freedom House – a U.S. State Department-affiliated think tank

  • Human Rights Watch, funded by George Soros

  • Committee to Protect Journalists.


The Legacy of Minu Masani and Indian Liberals.


Minu Masani, a key figure in India's post-independence intellectual movements, founded the Indian Committee for Cultural Freedom (ICCF). He also established Indian Liberals, a left-leaning think tank, which continues to operate under the Center for Civil Liberties, Delhi.

Currently, Indian Liberals is funded by:

  • Omidyar Network

  • Friedrich Naumann Foundation


The Role of the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC)


The Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC) operates multiple nonprofit organizations in India, all focusing on digital rights and policy advocacy. These include:


  1. Internet Democracy Project – Funded and operated exclusively by Bishakha Datta's Point of View, which in turn receives support from Access Now (backed by George Soros) and the Omidyar Network.


  2. Digital Empowerment Foundation – Receives funding from:

    • U.S. Embassy

    • Ford Foundation

    • TATA Trusts

    • Access Now

    • Internews Network, which also funds Prashant Bhushan's Sambhaavnaa Institute


  3. IT for Change – Supported by:

    • Ford Foundation

    • International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

    • European Union

    • KeepItOn Digital Human Rights Consortium, founded by Access Now

    • Data Governance Network, backed by the Omidyar Network.


Political Connections and Advocacy

Agha Muntazir Mehndi, a Kashmiri separatist activist, gained attention when he was invited to the U.S. Embassy in India by then-Ambassador Eric Garcetti. Notably, Mehndi holds a fellowship from the Center for Civil Liberties, which oversees the Indian Liberals project founded by Minu Masani.


Conclusion: The Persistence of Deep-State Influence


The intricate web of funding and influence surrounding PEN International and its associated organizations highlights the lasting impact of Cold War-era strategic investments. Despite changing geopolitical landscapes, these networks continue to shape ideological and cultural narratives. The interconnection between Western think tanks, global philanthropic foundations, and Indian intellectual platforms underscores how historical alliances remain active in contemporary policy-making and advocacy circles.

Understanding these networks is crucial for evaluating the broader influence exerted on global and regional discourse, especially in fields related to democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression.









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