As first reported in the Grayzone, the US government had a hand in funding and training the Gen-Z activists who led the recent coup in Nepal. The US National Endowment for Democracy (NED) reportedly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to make young Nepalis an:
important force to support US interests.
Whilst the Grayzonereporting is, if true, a perfect example of US neocolonialism at work, it does come with caveats. Whilst the site has done some important work, it has also demonstrated a willingness to promote imperialist narratives and propaganda (usually Russian or Chinese) provided that they serve an anti-US purpose. As is often the case with those who are singularly anti-US at any cost, their fervour tramples over atrocities and systems of oppression carried out by other powers.
For example, Grayzone have a disturbing pattern of denying China’s systematic persecution of the Uighur Muslim minority ethnic group. Grayzonehas also been accused of using AI-generated text as a source for one of its articles, which is obviously unreliable.
As such, the following article is provided to inform the reader, as it fits a pattern of the US’ past covert geopolitical maneuvering. However, it comes with the warning: ‘first reported in the Grayzone’.
Nepal gen-Z protests
Nepal’s gen-Z protests began on 8 September after reaching a tipping point due to a ban of 26 popular social media sites. Critics called this out as an attempt to silence criticism of government corruption on the platforms. In turn, this dovetailed with widespread unrest at rampant inequality and the loss of freedom of speech.
Communist PM Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli resigned on 9 September 2025. Interim PM Sushila Karki now leads the country, having previously served as chief justice.
Leaked NED documents seen by the Grayzone reportedly find that the government-backed organisation spent hundreds of thousands of dollars schooling Nepalese activists on:
strategies and skills in organizing protests and demonstrations.
More specifically, the International Republican Institute (IRI) – a division of the NED – sought to create a network of Nepali activists and political leader. Of course, the activists would focus on “issues selected” by IRI, aiming to ensure that:
the US concerns with Nepal’s democracy [would] be resolved.
The IRI considered Nepal as having a “strategic geographic location” in relation to both India and China and India. This in turn made it a “core” asset in the US desire to limit China’s geopolitical influence.
NED and the IRI
Among the IRIs’ programmes aiming to make this a reality was Yuva Netritwa: Paradarshi Niti (Youth Leadership: Transparent Policy). It involved 60-70 young Nepalis, cost $350k, and ran for a year starting in July 2021. Its stated its aim as giving:
emerging leaders increased opportunities to build momentum for youth activism and put pressure on Nepali political decision-makers.
With sufficient numbers of these young activists, the US could mobilise them to campaign “on Nepali issues of US concern”. Grayzone also reported that the IRI supported an Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA):
to bring together young civic activists and political leaders… and provide them with the skills, platforms, and resources needed to initiate positive change in their communities.
The IRI also reportedly created “training manuals for Youth Empowerment Workshops”, intending that the events would draw together individuals who were:
both politically affiliated and unaffiliated, to strengthen their capacity to make positive change… and develop their leadership qualities.
Neocolonialism at work
If the Grayzone’sreporting proves true, this is a textbook example of US neocolonialism at work. Certainly, the US is well known for its previous hand in regime changes beyond its borders – just ask Venezuela, Guatemala, Iran, Haiti, Honduras, the DR of Congo, Vietnam, Cuba…
Neocolonialism is a mask that imperial regimes wear in the modern world. They no longer travel abroad quite so overtly as they once did, waging wars of conquest and enslaving populations – not openly, that is.
Rather, the exercise a more subtle power over the countries they seek to subjugate. This power is economic and political. For example, the US might – oh, let’s see – pump hundreds of thousands of dollars into cultivating youth activists in Nepal who go on to overthrow their country’s leadership.
Thus, the US and countries like it exert their will on the global stage without being directly seen as the heads of empire that they still remain. It’s colonialism without getting your hands dirty.
However, this isn’t to say that the Nepali gen-z activists should be dismissed. Their frustrations with the inequality and repression in their country are valid. Grayzone’s findings would not be surprising if they were found to be true. Americans routinely interfere in Global South nations in their unending quest for domination and influence.
The US meddling beyond its borders should undoubtedly be condemned. America has no hesitation in the pursuit of its own ends – and to hell with the damage it causes. But, none of that should mean activists in Nepal should be dismissed out of hand.
Featured image via the Canary
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