Vanessa Tucker is the project director of Countries at the Crossroads, Freedom House’s annual survey of democratic governance in 70 strategically important countries around the world. In this capacity, she directs research, writing, and administrative operations for the project. Her area of focus is the Middle East. Prior to joining Freedom House, Vanessa managed the Program on Intrastate Conflict at Harvard Kennedy School. She has also worked at the Kennedy School’s Women and Public Policy Program, and as a graduate assistant for the Democracy Program at the Carter Center. She holds a BA in international development from McGill University and an MA in international relations from Yale University.