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.
How Dominic Cummings Made Himself Irrelevant
By getting caught violating lockdown rules, Boris Johnson’s advisor has thrown away a massive polling lead—and with it, his almost total power over Britain.
Is Mexico The Next Coronavirus Epicenter?
The country has dismissed a mass testing program as “costly” and “useless” as new daily cases reached a record high on Tuesday.
Netanyahu Could Be a Statesman, but He Prefers to Be a Provocateur
Israel’s prime minister has always been Janus-faced. Any hope that his good side would emerge in a unity government is quickly evaporating.
Biden Resists Move Left on Foreign Policy
Though he’s eager to accommodate Bernie Sanders’s base on domestic issues, the presumptive Democratic nominee is still seen as a man of the past by progressives.
The Pentagon Distances Itself from Trump
Facing fierce criticism from Mattis and other former senior military officials, Esper insists the Pentagon is not playing politics.
A Moment of National Shame and Peril—and Hope
We may be witnessing the beginning of the end of American democracy, but there is still a way to stop the descent.
Biden Could End Kleptocracy’s Grip on the United States
A new administration can make the changes needed to break a rotten global system.
Hong Kongers’ Route to Britishness Winds Through the Ruins of Empire
Hong Kongers were given second-class nationality. Now they’ve been promised more.
How Is China Responding to the U.S. Protests?
Politicians’ calls to use force against demonstrators give Beijing fodder for propaganda—particularly in Hong Kong.
The U.S. Election Will Determine Assad’s Future
Washington’s approach to Syria won’t change, but divergent approaches to Iran could have an indirect effect on the Syrian economy—and the Assad regime.
Galleries
The Week in World Photos
Global protests against government-imposed lockdowns, gang violence in El Salvador, and hat tips to medical staff.
The Week in World Photos
A prayerful start to Ramadan, medical workers on the front lines of a pandemic, and the annual Lyrids meteor shower.
In the Magazine
In the Magazine
How to Save Global Capitalism From Itself
Decentralizing decision-making can help left-behind regions get back on track.
Britain’s Post-Brexit Identity Crisis
Boris Johnson has contradictory ideas for his country’s future—and no clear paths for getting there.
The Ugly End of Chimerica
The coronavirus pandemic has turned a conscious uncoupling into a messy breakup.
The 3 Most Polarizing Words in India
“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.