United States Withdraws from Disinformation Pact with Czech Republic

US Ends Disinformation Cooperation with Czechia

The United States has formally withdrawn from a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Czech Republic, which was established to jointly combat foreign state information manipulation. Washington conveyed its decision to Prague via an official note on September 1, 2025. The move, reported by Czech Radio on September 18, 2025, marks a significant shift in U.S. policy regarding international efforts against disinformation.

The Genesis of the Pact

The now-terminated memorandum was originally signed on May 30, 2024, by then-U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský during a meeting in Prague. This agreement was part of a broader U.S. initiative, being the 17th such pact signed with allied nations across Europe, Africa, East Asia, and North America. The primary objective of the MOU was to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in countering foreign state information manipulation, including disinformation and propaganda. Both nations emphasized the critical threat posed by Kremlin propaganda and other forms of foreign malign influence to democratic societies. The pact aimed to expand information sharing, build capacity for counter-disinformation programming, and align government policies around a shared framework to secure a free and fact-based global information ecosystem.

Shift in US Policy Under Trump Administration

The withdrawal is a direct consequence of the Trump administration's policy, which characterizes counter-disinformation initiatives as a form of censorship. According to reports, current Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been instrumental in this policy shift, having dissolved the Global Engagement Center (GEC), an Obama-era agency responsible for coordinating such efforts. Rubio has stated that the government should not dictate what constitutes disinformation, but rather focus on countering 'false narratives with truthful ones.' This action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to dismantle government programs perceived as infringing upon constitutionally protected speech rights, leading to the termination of several agreements with European partners aimed at combating disinformation from countries like Russia, China, and Iran.

Implications and Reactions

In response to the U.S. decision, Czech diplomacy has maintained a reserved stance, acknowledging receipt of the U.S. note but declining further comment. It has been indicated that the memorandum will reportedly be replaced with a new version that aligns with the updated U.S. policy. The broader implications of this withdrawal for international efforts to combat disinformation have drawn criticism from various quarters. Experts, including James Rubin, who previously headed the Global Engagement Center, have described the move as 'a unilateral act of disarmament in the information war,' highlighting concerns about the potential weakening of a unified front against hostile state propaganda and influence operations.