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.
The Real Reason to Panic About China’s Plague Outbreak
It’s not the disease that’s worrisome—it’s the Chinese government’s response to it.
Our Top Weekend Reads
Uncertainty in Bolivia after the resignation of President Evo Morales, a resurgence of Iraqi nationalism challenges long-term U.S. interests, and the United States is using diplomacy to crack into Greenland.
The West’s Obsession With Border Security Is Breeding Instability
In the name of fighting illegal immigration, the EU, the United States, and Australia are emboldening authoritarian regimes, fueling abuses and corruption, and stoking intolerance at home.
The Left Will Govern Spain, but the Far-Right Is the Real Winner
Spain used to be seen as Europe’s exception due to its lack of an ultranationalist xenophobic party. Now the upstart Vox holds more than 50 seats in the parliament.
Trump Is Happy to Seem Weak Next to Erdogan
The benefits of their personal relationship are clear for the Turkish president. But the U.S. president has his reasons, too.
Climate Change Is Coming for Global Trade
As sea levels rise and storms become fiercer, container shipping could be in for major disruptions.
Could Trump Be Charged With Bribery?
The former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine testifies again as Democrats appear to narrow their focus in the impeachment investigation.
China’s Surveillance State Has Eyes on Central Asia
Autocrats are handing their citizens’ data to Beijing under so-called smart city programs.
How Michel Aoun Failed in Lebanon
More and more protesters say the general-turned-president has broken too many promises and must go.
River of the Dammed
Ethiopia’s continued efforts to dam the Nile could end in war with Egypt. Here’s how to stop that from happening.
Galleries
30 Years Since the Fall of the Berlin Wall
Celebration and uncertainty in Germany as communism crumbled on Nov. 9, 1989.
A Week in World Photos
A robot in Saudi Arabia, demonstrations in Iraq, and an elephant roadblock in Thailand.
Why Trade Wars Are Inevitable
Trump’s trade wars aren’t just about him or China—but global economic imbalances that the next U.S. administration will still have to address.
The Internet Broke the News Industry—and Can Fix It, Too
The only way to save journalism is to make readers direct participants in making, and paying for, the media.
Repent for Your Frequent Flyer Miles!
Feeling guilty for the carbon burned on your last flight? The Germans have a word for that.
The Women Who Shaped Obama’s Foreign Policy
Two new memoirs by Samantha Power and Susan Rice show how idealists became insiders—and what was lost along the way.
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