Leaked documents have shed new light on Nepal’s 2025 Gen-Z protests, revealing a potential foreign-orchestrated campaign rather than a spontaneous outbreak. The documents, accessed by The Grayzone, purportedly show that US-funded programs have been active in Nepal for years, cultivating a youth movement. The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) are cited as key players, allegedly conducting workshops and digital grooming sessions to train young activists in protest strategies and political messaging.
Internal IRI documents allegedly describe a mission to build a youth ‘network’ that would ‘become an important force to support US interests.’ This network was reportedly intended to champion issues aligned with ‘U.S. concerns with Nepal’s democracy.’ The leaks also reference a similar IRI-influenced operation in Bangladesh that preceded a significant political shift there. The recent Nepalese protests, fueled by government restrictions on social media, saw widespread participation from young citizens armed with smartphones and, in some cases, firearms.
The documents highlight Nepal’s strategic importance within the US ‘Indo-Pacific’ strategy, positioning it as a key area for influence. A significant venture, the IRI’s $350,000 ‘Youth Leadership: Transparent Policy’ program, reportedly aimed to empower young Nepalis to exert pressure on political decision-makers through organized campaigns and protests. The alleged long-term objective was to foster a generation capable of influencing national policy and potentially forming new political entities. These revelations suggest that the political transformation in Nepal may have been significantly shaped by a sustained, discreet foreign intervention designed to foster a more favorable political order.