The Heritage Foundation has announced that former Polish President Andrzej Duda has joined the organization as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow.

“I am honored to join The Heritage Foundation as a Visiting Fellow,” Duda said in a Monday press release from The Heritage Foundation.

“As President of Poland, I saw firsthand how deterrence, defense investment, strong democratic alliances, and national resolve preserve freedom,” Duda continued. “I look forward to contributing that experience to Heritage’s long-standing work advancing conservative policy solutions for Europe.”

Dr. Kevin Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation, welcomed Duda to Heritage.

“President Duda governed with a clear-eyed understanding of what nations owe their people: secure borders, public safety, and the courage to stand up to self-appointed global elites,” Roberts said in a press release. “His experience defending Poland’s national sovereignty in Europe offers valuable lessons for Americans committed to restoring self-government at home.”

“We are pleased to welcome him to Heritage at a moment when the future of the West depends on nations that still remember who they serve,” Roberts added.

The Heritage Foundation said that Duda’s new position as a visiting fellow will include “work on transatlantic security, European defense readiness, democratic resilience, and policy recommendations for the future of Europe’s conservative leadership.”

Poland remains one of NATO’S most strategically important member countries. As president, Duda repeatedly challenged the European Union’s social policies while strengthening Poland’s defense posture. Like President Donald Trump, Duda has advocated for increased defense-spending commitments from NATO allies.

Victoria Coates, vice president of the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation, praised Duda’s tenure as Poland’s president.

“Under President Duda’s leadership, Poland moved decisively to reinforce national defenses and improve military readiness while much of Europe hesitated,” Coates said. “His leadership is proof of the positive impact that dedicated conservatism has on our national security and global cooperation.”

In years past, The Heritage Foundation has partnered with European leaders to encourage conservative governance across the Atlantic, such as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

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