Democracy Lab Weekly Brief, February 04, 2013

As Democracy Lab celebrates its first anniversary, editor Christian Caryl shares some of the channel’s highlights from the past year.

Morten Jerven weighs in on our debate about African economics by taking a closer look at the numbers.

Egyptian activist Maikel Nabil Sanad blasts Germany for welcoming President Morsy on a state visit.

Alexander Cooley explains how Russia, China, and their regional allies have been building a common front against democratic norms.

In the latest of our continuing series of collaborations with Princeton’s Innovations for Successful Societies, Amy Mawson tells the story of how South Africa overcame the challenge of its first post-apartheid election.

Juan Nagel explains why Venezuela’s fiscal policy is basically a Ponzi scheme. 

Min Zin shares some skeptical reflections from his recent trip to Burma.

And Endy Bayuni reports on the recent corruption scandals plaguing Indonesia’s main Islamist party.

And now for this week’s recommended reads:

Cambodia bid farewell to their controversial former monarch, King Norodom Sihanouk, as he was finally cremated this weekend after passing away in October 2012. Pictured above are members of the funeral procession, resting by the Mekong River.

The International Crisis Group warns of the likelihood of intensifying political conflict in Egypt. ICG authors also report on the organization’s planned exit from Haiti.

The Economist provides a much-needed overview of the past two years of revolution in Egypt.

Sheri Berman, writing in Foreign Affairs, explains why it’s too early to be pessimistic about the Arab Spring.

Human Rights Watch gives the Burmese government a poor grade on reform efforts. The Wall Street Journal reports on the issuing of the first credit cards in Burma.

In an op-ed for The New York Times, Sam Loewenberg explains why social scientists should publicize their failures as well as their successes.

The Times’ C. J. Chivers offers a detailed analysis of the battle for Syria’s Minakh air base. Jadaliyya presents a thought-provoking interview with Syrian director Nabil Maleh.

Reuters reports on the trial of a Bahraini princess for torturing detainees in prison.

World Politics Review offers an in-depth look at the hawala money-lending system that is helping Iran evade sanctions (paywall).

Democracy Digest explains the controversy surrounding the case of a former Ukrainian police chief accused of murdering journalist Georgy Gongadze. The Ukrainian civic organization "People First" releases the results of a survey on the priorities and problems of Ukrainians.