Authoritarianism

The military regime’s neighbors resist sanctions, fearing it would divide regional powers.

Big Tech companies see an opportunity for growth on the continent, but they risk becoming accessories to authoritarian regimes.

The Belarus hijacking is part of a broader trend. From Russia to Rwanda, governments are going after dissidents far beyond their borders.

As it goes full authoritarian, the Kremlin is targeting the last vestiges of civil society and independent media.

Beijing is betting expats will flock to the city despite China’s draconian media crackdown—but they could vote with their feet.

“Weak Strongman” argues that to better understand Russia, we need to move past our fixation with its president.

The clearest perspective on Egypt’s current military ruler is offered by a dissident who has seen previous ones rise—and fall.

There’s much more evidence of the monarch’s poor governance than a foreign conspiracy against him.

It’s been a difficult and dizzying few months for Turkey—which is just the way the president likes it.

Since they were labeled an extremist group in 2017, more than 400 have been charged or convicted.

There are two possible outcomes of U.S.-China competition—but Washington should prepare for the more turbulent one.

An investigation into the suppression of protests discovered the widespread use of Russian weapons.

Rwanda’s president once welcomed the Hollywood film. His recent attacks on the movie and its protagonist show that his government cannot handle dissent.

Democracies have to learn how to manage some people’s innate fears of change.

With democracy still in retreat, it is time to get smart about fighting back.

Amid economic crisis, sweeping new legislation on “public order” would stifle dissent—and effectively criminalize people for being poor.

Freedom House says transnational repression is on the rise—led by China, Saudi Arabia, and Russia.

To stop future attacks like the Capitol invasion, the Biden administration must lead the way in pushing social media platforms to counter the far-right.

Jan. 6 was a classic example of propaganda by the deed—a revolutionary approach favored by everyone from 19th-century anarchists to Osama bin Laden.