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.
Western powers and donors created a category that consigned the women of Afghanistan to perpetual victimhood—while all parties instrumentalized them for political ends.
As China postures, Washington remains committed.
As debt burdens worsen, all eyes are on the IMF.
The return of the Taliban may have ended the fighting. The suffering goes on.
Beijing’s ambitions are about to crash into its problems.
As the president’s threats to disregard October’s election results intensify, those who could tip the political scale are speaking up.
The record downpours highlight not only the challenges of climate change, but also a housing crisis without end.
Yet plenty of Western intellectuals and politicians still ignore what Moscow is saying loud and clear.
In Europe and the Middle East, plans for missile defense are a mixed blessing.
A new initiative centers justice in Ukraine itself.
Global protests against government-imposed lockdowns, gang violence in El Salvador, and hat tips to medical staff.
A prayerful start to Ramadan, medical workers on the front lines of a pandemic, and the annual Lyrids meteor shower.
Decentralizing decision-making can help left-behind regions get back on track.
Boris Johnson has contradictory ideas for his country’s future—and no clear paths for getting there.
The coronavirus pandemic has turned a conscious uncoupling into a messy breakup.
“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.
In her role as administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Samantha Power is often thrust into the forefront of some of the world’s biggest crises. From working to ensu...Show more
Last summer, the United States decided to end its longest war. But just days after the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan, Kabul fell—and the Taliban took control of the country. Aug....Show more
Want the inside scoop on Russian arms sales to Africa? Care to learn more about how Ukraine is arming itself and how Beijing views Washington’s support for Taiwan? FP subscribers are alrea...Show more
Beijing’s ambitions are about to crash into its problems.
By raising interest rates, the Federal Reserve strengthened the U.S. currency—and revealed its centrality to global order.
As debt burdens worsen, all eyes are on the IMF.
As China postures, Washington remains committed.
