Dear Friends & Supporters, 

As some of you will have seen, on November 13, NBC News published an article that questioned our former CEOs character, background and education, alongside the work of Linking the World. 

To provide some context, State Department officials are not allowed to respond to reporters, regardless of the content of the stories being published.  However, I am not so constrained, and when I communicated with the reporter, I raised this issue with him, and asked him to expand the questions being directed towards me.  He ignored that request.  

So, in advance, I apologize for the length of what follows, but I want to address each point that has been raised, to the best of my ability.  On a personal note, I could not be more disgusted with the unwarranted attack on our organization or Mina’s tireless work to help those who aren’t able to help themselves.  In this politicized climate, if this is what we have become, then we have much work to do.  We as a people need to be better than this, we need to hold reporters, politicians and ourselves to account.  

Update 11/14: I can imagine an independent person reading this and wondering who is telling the truth, how can these media organizations get it so wrong? Well, here’s a perfect example … every article mentions that Mina is married … she is not … if you can’t get that basic fact right, why would we expect them to get anything else right? So, for clarity, Mina is very happily engaged to the ever so wonderful Jake Harriman.

With that said …

• Mina’s resume, profiles, and statements have been reviewed by 4 separate bodies, including the FBI and State Department Investigators.  Each body has verified each and every one of her stated achievements.

• Mina has never claimed to have a degree from Harvard.  She has correctly stated that she is an alumnus of the school, and that is an absolute right conferred from the Advanced Management Program she attended, that is categorically proven by the Harvard Business School here: (https://www.exed.hbs.edu/advanced-management-program/)

• Mina did not invent a role on a U.N. panel.  The Panel in question was the “Expert Panel for Humanitarian UAVs convened on November 14, 2014 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.  We have at least one geotagged photograph of Linking the World’s participation on that Panel, along with its working documents. In addition, Mina on the “Common Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination Standards Advisory [committee] instituted by UN OHCA.   

• Mina did participate at both the RNC/DNC conventions through an event called “Global Oval”, one of many events that are side bars to the main convention.  Accordingly, Ms. Chang absolutely addressed convention attendees.  

• “Lax vetting,” Mina has undergone 4 independent agency reviews, including the FBI, and ultimately garnered both Top Secret and Sensitive Compartmented Information clearances. 

• Even a cursory online search would provide evidence of our activities since 2001, and I have summarized 2001 – 2015 here: https://www.linkingtheworld.org/ltw-brief-history-2001-2015. Why only to 2015?  Simply, LtW was first founded in South Korea, so that time period would not be covered by U.S. IRS reporting.  To be clear, we have operated in 43 countries, built schools, medical clinics, and countless other activities serving thousands upon thousands of those most in need.              

• “Graduating” from the U.S. Army War College, National Security Seminar.  I have personally attended that program and can confirm that “graduation” is how we were advised to describe completion of the program.  At no time has Mina claimed to have a degree from the War College.

• Attending SMU, we will be following up with that institution, as we have pictures of Mina receiving her certificate of completion from the Center of Non Profit Management. At no time has Mina claimed to have a degree from SMU.

• Mina obtained her position at the State Department on her own merit, at no time was Brian Bulatao part of her nomination / recruitment / review process.  An auction bid from 2015, is a despicable example of correlation with no foundation.  Anyone who reads her online articles would know that she has both supported and been critical of the current administration.  

• Briefings on the Hill are not verifiable. Linking the World, and specifically Mina Chang attended the meetings on the Hill, to brief about our work, specifically proactive development, and the use of drone technology, you can find the schedule here … https://www.linkingtheworld.org/hill-briefings

• Mina’s nomination was not withdrawn by the Administration, or anyone other than herself.  Simply, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has been rather busy with other activities and all nominees were subject to extensive delays.  Mina loves her position at State and decided to withdraw herself from the process to focus on stabilization operations.  Again, anyone who reviewed her recent past, with work in Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Somalia, would know that this decision makes absolute sense.  

• Our 2015, 990-tax filing indicated $10,000 of overseas spending.  That’s absolutely correct, in a year when we were pivoting our organization from extensive programming to becoming a thought-leader that tested cutting-edge technologies.  However, why would a low expenditure be a negative?  It reflects, and has always reflected, that Linking the World operates an in-country volunteer and donation model, that requires minimal U.S. staff and no local offices or employees.  I’m proud that we have achieved so much, with so little … except the love and time of our volunteers and supporters around the world.  

• The now “infamous” Time magazine cover.  Mina did not create or commission the Time Magazine cover.  Pierre-Yves Daygot, an artist whose work depicts paintings of individuals superimposed on popular magazine covers, created a piece with her on a Time Magazine cover and sent it to her, and was commissioned, unknowingly, by a friend Olivier Chavy. After this, an enthusiastic fan online took one step further and used an app to make a fake magazine cover with Mina’s actual image superimposed on the cover and it was subsequently circulated online. Linking the World has never used either piece and they were never part of any media package used for Mina.  During a live interview with Mary Sit, on a public access/University channel, the piece was used without prior permission or approval from Mina or Linking the World. In retrospect, she should have clarified the origins of the cover in that moment, instead, she answered the question she was posed, more broadly.  We have never inferred this was a real magazine cover, nor that we were the creator of it. 

• Linking the World tax filings.  I was only made aware of a potential issue with our tax filings by the IRS on October 16, 2019 and that was only because of a proactive outreach that I made.  That issue related to receipt of our 2016 and 2017 returns.  To suggest that we didn’t file is incorrect.  We did file, and copies of those filings have been resent to the IRS.  I am currently working with the IRS to have our status reinstated.   Upon notification, donations were not able to be submitted through any of our channels.  Anyone that clicked the donate button received a personalized message, that clearly outlined our position, and the IRS regulations about donations under those circumstances, such that donors/supporters were fully informed.  So, to remove any and all suggestion of inappropriate action, the donation mechanisms have all been completely removed.  I can also confirm that no donations were received / accepted over the notification period.  

 My hope is that you’ll re-read that article now, and see it for what it is, a classic “hit-job.”  I received some of that reporters’ questions, and it was clear from the outset, that he had already made up his mind.   The questions were not seeking to profile Mina or the organization, as any objective reporter would have done.  He started from a place of negativity.  This is the world we so desperately need to counteract.  

For those of you who are not familiar with me, I am not Mina.  I am not the radiant light, the forever hopeful and passionate fighter of those who can’t defend themselves.  While I share her beliefs and passions, I’m far more willing to confront those with naive and ill-informed positions.  So, shame on you Mr. De Luce.  Shame on you NBC for not requiring your reporters to do basic research.  Shame on you every outlet that picked up this story without doing your own research and merely surmised the erroneous positions of the original.   You wonder why the media isn’t trusted? … it’s this, right here.  

For those who know us, for those who have overwhelmed us with your love and support, we thank you.  Rest assured, we will not stop our work, whether that be at the State Department, Linking the World, or as individuals.  We are stronger, we are more determined, and we are forever dedicated to serve others and to make this world safer, from all threats, foreign and domestic.  

Ian Dailey

Executive Director, Linking the World. 

“I thank whatever gods may be.  For my unconquerable soul.” – W.E. Henley.  

Featured In

Research 

Advocacy

Research

Our research efforts blend together traditional approaches of a think tank with modern and future-leaning tools of a high-tech business intelligence firm. We do not just provide rhetoric and philosophical thought; in fact, we go light on the philosophy. We take real scenarios based on concrete data to address the root drivers of instability and to effectuate action.

The research efforts we employ consist of utilizing a resiliency index in combination with big data to identify vulnerable communities at risk for violent extremism. The index we have created monitors social, economic, political, and military indicators that also encompass demographic pressures, poverty, human rights, uneven economic development, state legitimacy, and the security apparatus. Our belief is that these factors cause nations to weaken all the way down to the community level, which subsequently increases their likelihood of conflict and security challenges. By also researching the history of various regions and what has not worked, has not countered, and has not built resilience against violent extremism in the past, we can create solutions with the greatest probability of success.

Our goal with research is simple: if we can identify those who are most at risk, we can share this expert knowledge and employ development and advocacy efforts to help win the hearts and minds of these communities before radical groups are formed. After obtaining our data and analyzing it, we go a step further than a traditional think tank by actively engaging and working with partners on the ground to effectuate long lasting change.

ADVOCACY

Our advocacy strategy is composed of creating awareness and promoting common-sense policies, laws, and regulations across the legislative and executive branches of the US government. 

We create broad awareness of America’s unique role in the world. By first helping others recognize why a stable and strong America is vital for global security, we will be able to make the case for a proactive national security, defense policy, and foreign policy rather than the more traditional reactive approaches of the past. 

Our unique research efforts provide the accurate and tested knowledge necessary to then engage local, state, federal, and international stakeholders to promote our mission and to advocate for policies that will not only make our country safer, but will help lift up vulnerable communities abroad. 

While advocacy efforts include making our opinion known in regards to proposed policies, laws, and regulations, we also promote very specific policies.

Several policies we are currently focused on promoting are the following:

We must continue to work together, sharing information and acting as leading voices to elevate diplomacy and development alongside defense to build a stronger, better, and safer world for all.

Powerful partnerships

Akin Gump is consistently ranked as one of the top government relations practices in Washington, D.C.—both by publications and peers—the public law and policy practice draws on the considerable governmental and bipartisan political experience of their lawyers and advocacy professionals, including former Members of Congress, congressional staff and other lawyers with considerable experience in government service, many of whom also engage in outside political activities.  The explosive growth of government regulation and oversight over the last decade demands that Linking the World thinks expansively and creatively when developing and implementing our strategies. The nature of our work requires that our analytical and planning processes must encompass a careful evaluation of how government—local, state, federal or international—can, should and will impact our desired objectives. We are proud and privileged for Akin's support on a pro-bono basis.  

We were the first!

As an example of the support Akin Gump provides to Linking the World, the firm petitioned the FAA for our Section 333 Exemption, which qualifies us to fly UAVs in domestic airspace in support of disaster operations.  Linking the World was the first international NGO to receive such an exemption.

Making News

The Future of War Conference 2017 Washington, D.C.

SHARON BURKE Senior Advisor and Director, Resource Security Program, New America
MINA CHANG CEO, Linking the World, International Security Fellow, New America
JAKE HARRIMAN Founder and CEO, Nuru International
REBECCA J. WOLFE Director of Peace and Conflict, Mercy Corps

The Future of War Conference 2017 commenced on March 21 in Washington, D.C. The event will featured leaders from government, military, journalism, academia, and the private sector exploring questions of international security and defense, bringing together interdisciplinary experts working to develop new paradigms for understanding and addressing the changing nature of armed conflict and systematic violence.
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New America is dedicated to the renewal of American politics, prosperity, and purpose in the digital age through big ideas, technological innovation, next generation politics, and creative engagement with broad audiences.

Episode On 33voices®, Inc. with Moe Abdou

"One of the great mysteries of life for me has always been the question of ‘why bad things happen to great people?‘ Surely, I’m never one to question the work of God, still when I see the obstacles he puts in the path of someone like, Mina Chang, I become even more convinced that each such challenge is a window into a bigger opportunity.  When Mina was diagnosed with brain cancer earlier this year, it was a horrifying tragedy, but one that’s destined to magnify the impact she’s having — Linking The World.  

There are certain people who are just called to contribute, disproportionately to the wellbeing of society, and Mina certainly tops that list.  As CEO of the NGO, Linking the World, her work expands the globe to alleviate suffering, inspire hope and to break the cycle of poverty that’s impacting almost half the world’s population - or over three billion people.  Spend a few minutes with her, and you, too will be infected with her zest for life and her determination to not only win her own battles, but more importantly, to turn hope into measurable action.  Like all admired leaders, she anticipates that problems in the world will never cease, they will only change; and it’s how you respond to them that will determine your fate.  Here’s a glimpse of her approach to solving the world’s most pressing issues." Mou Abdou, Founder and Host of 33voices®

People of the Year 2014

In the third People Issue for the Observer Magazine, Linking the World CEO Mina Chang was named as one of the 'People of the Year.' Editor Joe Tone introduces the issue writing, "Their stories, as usual, are paired with intimate portraits, this year from acclaimed photographer Can Turkyilmaz. Featured in the issue are notable community leaders such as Police Chief David Brown, NHL athlete Jamie Benn, and Historian Bonnie Jacobs."

Natalie Solis and Mina Chang on Boko Haram

Mina Chang with Natalie Solis of Fox 4 News discussing the Boko Haram and her recent participation at the World Economic Forum

Mina Chang speaks at the Women’s Leadership Series

Linking the World CEO, Mina Chang, was invited as the keynote speaker for the Women's Leadership Series at the Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theatre. Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, was also in attendance. The Women’s Leadership Steering Committee is chaired by Dr Anne Chao and Paula W Hinton. The next installment in the series will feature Cherie Blair, the former First Lady of the United Kingdom.