Democracy Lab Weekly Brief, June 30, 2014

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Maldivian political activist Mohamed Nasheed reflects on his experiences as a pro-democracy activist.

Peter Pomerantsev charts the complicated love affair between Georgia and Europe.

Aki Peritz explains why the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria has found that opening prisons is a perfect way to destabilize the government in Baghdad.

Devin Stewart explores the political dimension of inequality.

Mohamed Eljarh argues that elections remain crucial to Libya’s future — despite the turbulence that democracy has brought.

Juan Nagel criticizes a recent Venezuelan court ruling that legalized military involvement in government.

Anna Nemtsova examines the deaths of Russian journalists and the controversy surrounding them.

Jacob Mchangama questions whether the new U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights is the right man for the job.

And now for this week’s recommended reads:

Carl Gershman reflects on Americans’ growing reluctance promote democracy abroad.

The Guardian‘s Louisa Loveluck reports on an Egyptian novelist’s brave denunciation of the government’s "war on youth." Ahmed Morsy details the Egyptian military’s growing involvement in domestic affairs for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

A new Human Rights Watch report elucidates the plight of child soldiers in Syria. Writing for Women Under Siege, Safa Sankari mourns the destruction of the great Syrian city of Aleppo. (The photo above shows rubble in the city following an airstrike.)

Samuel Tadros, writing for Tablet Magazine, pays tribute to the life of Arab intellectual Fouad Ajami.

Time‘s Jason Motlagh offers a horrific snapshot of detention camps for Rohingya in Burma.

Jadaliyya’s Maya Mikdashi explains the deepening political stalemate in Lebanon.