Democracy Lab

About Democracy Lab

Democracy Lab is Foreign Policy's home for coverage of transitions to democracy, published in partnership with the Legatum Institute. Democracy Lab also runs Transitions, a blog featuring on-the-ground coverage of transitioning countries.

Editor, Christian Caryl
Assistant Editor, Ilya Lozovsky

Learn more about Democracy Lab here.

Supporters of National Unity Platform presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, take cover from tear gas following a campaign rally in Kampala, Uganda on November 24.
Supporters of National Unity Platform presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, take cover from tear gas following a campaign rally in Kampala, Uganda on November 24.

Uganda’s Fixed Election Belies an Uncertain Future

President Museveni will be reelected in January. But the country is wondering what comes next.

Analysis
Kristof Titeca
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi waits Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on Sept. 9.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi waits Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on Sept. 9.

India’s Strategic Autonomy Is Now Reading as Aloof

Why 2025 has been Modi's most difficult foreign-policy year.

Argument
Chietigj Bajpaee
A group of troops holding guns stand at attention on a rocky shore, facing out at the sea at dusk.
A group of troops holding guns stand at attention on a rocky shore, facing out at the sea at dusk.

The TV Show That Divided Taiwan

Even imagining a potential Chinese invasion of the island has become a political act.

Dispatch
Bethany Allen
Marble statues of Socrates seated in thought and a standing Athena atop a tall column, set against a bright blue sky.
Marble statues of Socrates seated in thought and a standing Athena atop a tall column, set against a bright blue sky.

What Is ‘the West’?

The idea of a cohesive West is fading, but a new book finds that the concept endures.

Review
Jaroslaw Kuisz
U.S. President Donald Trump stands in front of a sponsor backdrop wall as he poses for a photo with his arms outstretched, palms facing the sky. Trump is smiling slightly and wears a black business suit with a red tie.
U.S. President Donald Trump stands in front of a sponsor backdrop wall as he poses for a photo with his arms outstretched, palms facing the sky. Trump is smiling slightly and wears a black business suit with a red tie.

A Perpetrator’s Peace

From Nagorno-Karabakh to Gaza, Trump’s approach to conflict resolution has rewarded aggression and perpetuated ethnic cleansing.

Argument
Henry Theriault, Alex Galitsky
Grid of colors and gifts for 2025 gift guide
Grid of colors and gifts for 2025 gift guide

FP’s 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

Treats and treasures from around the world.

Roundup
FP Staff
U.S. President Donald Trump pardons National Thanksgiving Turkey Gobble during the 78th annual National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation in the Rose Garden of the White House on November 25, 2025 in Washington.
U.S. President Donald Trump pardons National Thanksgiving Turkey Gobble during the 78th annual National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation in the Rose Garden of the White House on November 25, 2025 in Washington.

The Top 10 Reasons to Be Thankful in 2025

These are trying times—but there's still plenty to be grateful for in the world.

Argument
Stephen M. Walt
The Amir Kabir Dam along the Karaj River in Iran's northern Alborz mountain range is seen on June 1.
The Amir Kabir Dam along the Karaj River in Iran's northern Alborz mountain range is seen on June 1.

Iran Can’t Run Away From Tehran’s Disasters

Moving the capital is an old idea and a perennial nonstarter.

Analysis
Nik Kowsar, Alireza Nader
Putin and Trump stand at podiums on a low stage, about ten feet apart. Putin smiles while Trump is turned to the side to watch him. Journalists are visible in the crowd in front of the stage, holding phones, video cameras, and microphones as they record.
Putin and Trump stand at podiums on a low stage, about ten feet apart. Putin smiles while Trump is turned to the side to watch him. Journalists are visible in the crowd in front of the stage, holding phones, video cameras, and microphones as they record.

Can Compromises Create a Sovereign Ukraine?

Successful peace negotiations require concessions. The right ones will strengthen the West.

Argument
Matthew Kroenig
A collage photo illustration showing Xi Jinping casting a long shadow on images representative of innovation: construction, semiconductor manufacturing, and robots, on a red background.
A collage photo illustration showing Xi Jinping casting a long shadow on images representative of innovation: construction, semiconductor manufacturing, and robots, on a red background.

Can Chinese Authoritarianism Stay Smart?

Beijing’s continued economic growth depends on a fragile balance of control and freedom.

Excerpt
Jennifer Lind
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, attend a meeting of senior U.S. military members.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, attend a meeting of senior U.S. military members.

Top U.S. Military Officials Meet With Caribbean Leaders

World Brief
Alexandra Sharp
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, attend a meeting of senior U.S. military members.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, attend a meeting of senior U.S. military members.

Senior U.S. Military Officials Visit the Caribbean

Report
Alexandra Sharp
Pope Leo XIV waves from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on May 8.
Pope Leo XIV waves from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on May 8.

Will Pope Leo Stand Up to Christian Nationalism?

Argument
Alejandro Reyes
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff face each other smiling and shake hands in the foreground while a man stands in the background, gripping the back of a chair in a large formal room.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff face each other smiling and shake hands in the foreground while a man stands in the background, gripping the back of a chair in a large formal room.

House Republicans Slam Witkoff Over Handling of Russia-Ukraine Talks

Report
Rachel Oswald
A concrete block marks the "Yellow Line" drawn by the Israeli military in Bureij, in the central Gaza Strip, on Nov. 4.
A concrete block marks the "Yellow Line" drawn by the Israeli military in Bureij, in the central Gaza Strip, on Nov. 4.

The Yellow Line in Gaza Is Supposed to Be Temporary. Israel Is Digging in.

Analysis
Steven A. Cook
Several Trump administration officials are seen sitting at a long table in front of the national flags of the United States and Ukraine.
Several Trump administration officials are seen sitting at a long table in front of the national flags of the United States and Ukraine.

Trump’s Dizzying Ukraine Diplomacy

Situation Report
John Haltiwanger, Rishi Iyengar
Two children stand on the side of a dusty road near destroyed trucks.
Two children stand on the side of a dusty road near destroyed trucks.

Ethiopia-Eritrea Tensions Trigger Fears of a Fresh Regional Conflict

Africa Brief
Nosmot Gbadamosi
U.S. President Donald Trump with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Secretary of Treasury Scott Bassent while meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Nov. 18.
U.S. President Donald Trump with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Secretary of Treasury Scott Bassent while meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Nov. 18.

Donald Trump Should Stick to His Guns on Venezuela

Argument
Emma Ashford, Evan Cooper
A Ukrainian delegation meets with top U.S. officials to discuss a revised U.S. peace proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
A Ukrainian delegation meets with top U.S. officials to discuss a revised U.S. peace proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Ukraine Agrees in Principle to Revised U.S. Peace Proposal

World Brief
Alexandra Sharp
A Ukrainian delegation meets with top U.S. officials to discuss a revised U.S. peace proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
A Ukrainian delegation meets with top U.S. officials to discuss a revised U.S. peace proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Kyiv Agrees in Principle to Revised U.S. Peace Plan

World Brief
Alexandra Sharp
Chinese President Xi Jinping, flanked by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaks during a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, flanked by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaks during a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea.

Decoding the Trump-Xi Phone Call

China Brief
James Palmer
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion International Airport before boarding his plane to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion International Airport before boarding his plane to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

How Trump Brought Netanyahu to Heel

Analysis
David E. Rosenberg

Trending

  1. House Republicans Slam Witkoff Over Handling of Russia-Ukraine Talks

    Report
    Rachel Oswald

  2. What Is ‘the West’?

    Review
    Jaroslaw Kuisz

  3. Iran Can’t Run Away From Tehran’s Disasters

    Analysis
    Nik Kowsar, Alireza Nader

  4. The Deathonomics of Putin’s War

    Analysis
    Alexey Kovalev

  5. Donald Trump Should Stick to His Guns on Venezuela

    Argument
    Emma Ashford, Evan Cooper

  6. Trump’s Dizzying Ukraine Diplomacy

    Situation Report
    John Haltiwanger, Rishi Iyengar

  7. Trump’s Ukraine Peace Effort Devolves Into Chaos Over Conflicting Stories

    Report
    Rachel Oswald, John Haltiwanger

  8. India’s Strategic Autonomy Is Now Reading as Aloof

    Argument
    Chietigj Bajpaee

  9. The Top 10 Reasons to Be Thankful in 2025

    Argument
    Stephen M. Walt

Galleries

Protesters—many of them armed—try to enter the Michigan House of Representatives chamber and are stopped by state police during a protest April 30 demanding that businesses be reopened. An “American Patriot Rally” organized by Michigan United for Liberty was held earlier in the day on the steps of the state Capitol in Lansing. JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images
Protesters—many of them armed—try to enter the Michigan House of Representatives chamber and are stopped by state police during a protest April 30 demanding that businesses be reopened. An “American Patriot Rally” organized by Michigan United for Liberty was held earlier in the day on the steps of the state Capitol in Lansing. JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images

The Week in World Photos

Global protests against government-imposed lockdowns, gang violence in El Salvador, and hat tips to medical staff.

Diana D'Abruzzo
Muslims offer prayers on April 23, the first night of Ramadan, in Bireuen, Indonesia. AMANDA JUFRIAN/AFP via Getty Images
Muslims offer prayers on April 23, the first night of Ramadan, in Bireuen, Indonesia. AMANDA JUFRIAN/AFP via Getty Images

The Week in World Photos

A prayerful start to Ramadan, medical workers on the front lines of a pandemic, and the annual Lyrids meteor shower.

Diana D'Abruzzo

Latest

In the Magazine

Current Issue: Spring 2020 Archives

In the Magazine

Current Issue: Spring 2020 Archives
foreign-policy-magazine-cover-coronavirus-globalization-spring-2020
foreign-policy-magazine-cover-coronavirus-globalization-spring-2020
deglobalization-localization-lego-globe-ben-fearnley
deglobalization-localization-lego-globe-ben-fearnley

How to Save Global Capitalism From Itself

Decentralizing decision-making can help left-behind regions get back on track. This article has an audio recording

Essay
Raghuram G. Rajan
brexit-deglobalization-brian-stauffer-illustration
brexit-deglobalization-brian-stauffer-illustration

Britain’s Post-Brexit Identity Crisis

Boris Johnson has contradictory ideas for his country’s future—and no clear paths for getting there.

Argument
James Crabtree

The Ugly End of Chimerica

The coronavirus pandemic has turned a conscious uncoupling into a messy breakup.

Argument
Orville Schell

The 3 Most Polarizing Words in India

“Jai Shri Ram” was meant to be a celebration of a Hindu deity. But the phrase is turning into hate speech—and a dog whistle for attacks on Muslims.

Decoder
Snigdha Poonam
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