Foreign Policy Claims Checklist for Progressive Activism

Pull the NATO Secretary General's annual defense expenditure report, the Article 5 treaty text, and NATO's defense spending dataset into a shared folder with clear filenames and version dates. This lets researchers verify funding myths fast and keeps receipts in one place for comms and field staff.

Cross-check against USTR announcements for Section 232 and 301 actions, USITC DataWeb, and Census FT-900 releases. Document who pays tariffs and localize effects so volunteers can explain costs to small businesses and consumers.

Track OFAC SDN updates via RSS, and mirror EU and UK consolidated lists to compare dates and scope. Map additions and removals to claims to separate rhetoric from the legal record.

Maintain a table of joint statements, testing moratoria, and missile launches using UN Panel of Experts reports and reputable missile databases. Use it to check whether claims match observable commitments and violations.

Create side-by-side references for labor enforcement, rules of origin, and dispute settlement provisions. Share a one-page memo so spokespeople can accurately describe what each agreement actually requires.

Require one primary document and one nonpartisan secondary source such as CRS or GAO before going live. Block distribution if this threshold is not met to prevent unforced errors.

Define terms like Article 5, MFN, IEEPA, CFIUS, AD/CVD, and secondary sanctions with plain-language examples. Keep it linked in the field Slack so canvassers can check definitions between doors.

Use a three-beat structure: receipt first, local impact second, values-based ask last. Prepare versions for NATO, tariffs, Russia sanctions, China trade, and North Korea to minimize drift at the door.

Design 3.5x5 in cards with a short myth description on the front and two bullet facts plus a QR code on the back. Use 14pt type, high-contrast colors, and a union shop for runs before big canvass weekends.

Pair BLS employment data, USDA export stats, and port throughput figures to show how tariffs and retaliation hit local jobs. Add one local industry example per turf for credibility.

Coach volunteers on reflective listening, then pivot to shared values like keeping troops safe and strengthening alliances. Include two de-escalation phrases and a close that offers a neutral resource link.

Build a one-pager for VFW and American Legion events that frames collective defense as deterrence that keeps service members out of combat. Include a short note on Article 5 and historical examples relevant to vets.

Commission bilingual reviewers for Chinese, Korean, and Russian versions that avoid stigmatizing terms like 'Chinese virus' and reflect diaspora media norms. Test readability with community partners before release.

Write 160-character replies with a receipt and a shortened link, plus opt-out language for compliance. Load into your texting and social tools so organizers can respond quickly during spikes.

Use Slack keyword alerts for NATO, China, Russia, North Korea, and tariffs to ping Research, Copy, Legal, and Design leads. Commit to a 15-minute first decision on whether to engage or hold.

Prebuild charts for tariff pass-through, timelines for sanctions, and alliance maps with alt text and source lines. Keeping editable files ready cuts response time during news spikes.

Open with the topic, then stack posts with one receipt per point and a final post linking to a deep-dive page. Avoid quote-bait screenshots that increase the reach of false claims.

Create a consistent schema to track click-through rate, read time, and shares for each claim card. Feed results back to field and comms to prioritize what gets reprinted or boosted.

Document, report, and block coordinated hostile accounts, preserve screenshots, and notify coalition partners. Keep a short playbook in the channel so staff know when to escalate.

Schedule 20-minute AMAs after major headlines, and record them for clipped reels with captions. This builds trust and provides reusable explainer content without overextending staff.

Use card-style pages per topic with concise copy, downloadables, and receipts at the top. Update weekly and pin from your social bio during crises.

Host a lunch-and-learn with shop stewards on tariff costs for inputs and export markets using local data. Provide handouts they can share at the worksite and in newsletters.

Set up small roundtables at VFW or American Legion halls to discuss deterrence and alliance commitments. Capture stories for later use in op-eds and videos with consent.

Invite professors or practitioners to explain sanctions law, treaties, and norms in plain language. Record sessions and turn them into short modules for volunteer training.

Offer bilingual op-eds, radio segments, and WhatsApp-ready fact cards for China and Korea topics. Provide early embargoed access to explainer materials to encourage accurate coverage.

Partner with chambers of commerce and farm bureaus on tariff pass-through and market access facts. Joint materials carry more weight with persuadable audiences.

Organize a rota for translation and hotline responses during breaking news, prioritizing Chinese, Korean, and Russian. Provide a style guide and approvals flow to maintain quality.

Ensure materials do not instruct or enable evasion and that citations point to OFAC, BIS, and Federal Register notices. Keep a short disclaimer template for educational content.

Do not use leaked or classified material, and rely on open-license datasets like OpenStreetMap. Maintain a credit line and source file for every visual asset.

Require two independent verifications and a 30-minute cooling-off review before publishing unless life-safety information is at stake. Log decisions with timestamps for accountability.

Run quarterly phishing simulations, enforce hardware-key 2FA on all social accounts, and share a reporting workflow. Prepare templated responses that do not inflame trolls.

Collect only what is necessary, clearly disclose consent, and set a 90-day retention policy for engagement logs. Separate PII from content analytics wherever possible.

Differentiate 501(c)(3) educational content from 501(c)(4) advocacy by adjusting calls to action and tone. Have counsel review high-visibility scripts before launch.

Test contrast, font size, alt text, and plain-language summaries for complex topics like sanctions. Use WCAG checklists in design QA before print or publication.

Compare alliance security framing with pocketbook framing for veterans, parents, and small business owners. Use short post-convo surveys to measure recall and sentiment shift.

Have canvassers record objections, questions, and which receipts resonated in a simple form. Review weekly to refine scripts and reprint the best-performing cards.

Track time from claim detection to publish, accuracy spot-check pass rate, and correction uptake. Share dashboards at weekly comms standups to drive improvements.

Store materials in Git or a cloud tool with change logs, reviewers, and rollback. Tag versions to major news cycles to avoid outdated reuse.

Save PDFs of primary documents and capture Wayback or Perma.cc snapshots. Note publication and update dates to protect against link rot or post-publication edits.

Compare your top myths list against new CRS, GAO, and allied research updates, then retire or revise stale cards. Announce changes in training so field teams stay aligned.