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 Kremlin Is Celebrating Helsinki. For Now.
Vladimir Putin achieved his goal of embarrassing the United States. But Russians are already bracing for the backlash.
The Woman Who Defied Iran
On the podcast: Masih Alinejad took off her headscarf and started a movement.
Trump’s ‘Unbridled, Egotistical Narcissism’ Defines White House Summits
Former U.S. diplomat Thomas Pickering on Trump, Putin, and the world after Helsinki.
The Nationalist Internationale Is Crumbling
Steve Bannon is trying to sell Trumpism to Eastern Europeans—but shared ideologies die hard when they run into economic and military realities.
Trump-Putin Firestorm Brings Interpreters Out From the Shadows
U.S. politicians debate whether to force Trump’s interpreter to divulge contents of the private meeting.
‘We Have No Idea What President Trump Would Do in a Crisis with Russia.’
Poland’s former defense and foreign minister explains how Trump left Eastern Europe in the lurch.
With Trump Going Soft on Nord Stream, Congress Moves to Kill the Pipeline
U.S. lawmakers, at least, worry that Europe’s reliance on Moscow for energy could give Russia key leverage.
How Much Damage Did Trump Cause in Helsinki?
The president’s disgraceful remarks could have disturbing results.
Iran Hawks Should Be Careful What They Wish For
Pushing for regime change in Tehran could put Qassem Suleimani in power.
Trump’s Performance in Helsinki Shouldn’t Have Come as a Surprise
U.S. allies in Europe are resigned to a trans-Atlantic relationship that keeps getting worse.
Galleries
A Week in World Photos
A pigeon fancier in Afghanistan, migrants in the Mediterranean, and a fire-breathing stuntman in India.
A Week in World Photos
A fiery moon over England, a chess champion in Nepal, and rhino relocation in Kenya.
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Why India Gives Uber 5 Stars
Gig work offers a leg up in the developing world.
Closing the Factory Doors
For two centuries, countries have used low-wage labor to climb out of poverty. What will happen when robots take those jobs?
Pride and Prejudice in Tehran
To understand Iran’s foreign policy, you need to learn a little Farsi.
Self-Driving Cars Are on the Road to Nowhere
Technology companies have been selling a vision of greener cities and safer roads. It's nothing more than hype.
