India Is Pushing Back Against China in South Asia
Beijing’s attempts to encircle New Delhi are being systematically reversed.
List of Authoritarianism articles
![Saudi women walk past a mural depicting Saudi King Salman (center), Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (left), and late King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman (right), the founder of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at a park in the capital, Riyadh, on Jan. 16.]()
Saudi women walk past a mural depicting Saudi King Salman (center), Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (left), and late King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman (right), the founder of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at a park in the capital, Riyadh, on Jan. 16.
The Arab Gulf’s New Nationalism
Ambitious leaders in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are restructuring national identity to solidify their rule.
![Lebanese supporters and members of the Islamic group Jamaa Islamiya wave Turkish and Lebanese flags and flash the four finger symbol known as "Rabaa" during a demonstration to support Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan following a deadly but foiled coup attempt by an army faction on July 16, 2016 outside the Islamic Turkish hospital in the southern Lebanese port city of Sidon.]()
Lebanese supporters and members of the Islamic group Jamaa Islamiya wave Turkish and Lebanese flags and flash the four finger symbol known as "Rabaa" during a demonstration to support Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan following a deadly but foiled coup attempt by an army faction on July 16, 2016 outside the Islamic Turkish hospital in the southern Lebanese port city of Sidon.
The Muslim Brotherhood’s Survival Is Now in Question
Turkey has turned its back on the Islamist group, eliminating one of its last safe havens.
![People attend the ceremony for the installation of commemorative plaques to the victims of Soviet repression on the wall of their former house in central Moscow.]()
People attend the ceremony for the installation of commemorative plaques to the victims of Soviet repression on the wall of their former house in central Moscow.
How Memory Survives in Putin’s Russia
Russia’s dictator controls its past. But can history that avoids politics live on?
![Ones-And-Tooze-podcast-series-1500x1000-site (1)]()
Ones-And-Tooze-podcast-series-1500x1000-site (1)
The Economic Impact of Israel’s Surge Toward Authoritarianism
Plus: How did Israel become so economically successful in the first place?
![People demonstrate in Niger's capital, Niamey, to show their support for the coup plotters and Russia.]()
People demonstrate in Niger's capital, Niamey, to show their support for the coup plotters and Russia.
Does U.S. Military Training Embolden Coup Plotters in Africa?
Weak institutions and underdevelopment also plague nations led by undemocratic regimes.
![Hungarian Prime Minsiter Viktor Orban (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) hold a joint press conference after their meeting in Jerusalem on Feb. 19, 2019.]()
Hungarian Prime Minsiter Viktor Orban (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) hold a joint press conference after their meeting in Jerusalem on Feb. 19, 2019.
Israel’s Supreme Court Must Not Repeat Hungary’s Mistake
The judiciary needs to strike down Netanyahu’s judicial reform before he turns Israel into a sham democracy—just as Viktor Orban did in Hungary.
![Russian police detain a protester in Moscow following the announcement of military mobilization in Moscow on Sept. 21, 2022.]()
Russian police detain a protester in Moscow following the announcement of military mobilization in Moscow on Sept. 21, 2022.
Russia Is Returning to Its Totalitarian Past
A forever war in Ukraine comes with almost limitless possibilities to stifle dissent.
![Hussein al-Sheikh attends the funeral of former Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.]()
Hussein al-Sheikh attends the funeral of former Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Leader Who Survived the Death of Palestine
What would it mean for Hussein al-Sheikh to lead a people whose dream of independence is no longer alive?
![A mosque stands in front of a cloudy sky. It has two symmetrical minarets and a red banner with yellow writing in two languages. In front of the mosque are cable lines and a video camera on a metal pole.]()
A mosque stands in front of a cloudy sky. It has two symmetrical minarets and a red banner with yellow writing in two languages. In front of the mosque are cable lines and a video camera on a metal pole.
China Is Taking a Wrecking Ball to Famous Mosques
Beijing is choosing repression over religious diplomacy.
![A Soviet poster, circa 1965, shows an illustrated hand gripping a giant, silver Russian ruble.]()
A Soviet poster, circa 1965, shows an illustrated hand gripping a giant, silver Russian ruble.
How Dictators Make Money—and Money Makes Dictators
A new history of Russia’s ruble highlights the reciprocal relationship between autocracy and monetary policy.
![Vladimir Putin, then Russia's prime minister, looks at mirrors inside an X-ray telescope during his visit to the Russian Federal Nuclear Center.]()
Vladimir Putin, then Russia's prime minister, looks at mirrors inside an X-ray telescope during his visit to the Russian Federal Nuclear Center.
You See What You Want to See in Russia
Why didn’t Prigozhin’s mutiny against Putin change anyone’s mind?
![Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko speaks during a meeting with Commonwealth of Independent States officials in Minsk.]()
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko speaks during a meeting with Commonwealth of Independent States officials in Minsk.
Lukashenko Won the Putin-Prigozhin Fight
The dictator of Belarus recognized the mutiny in Russia as an opportunity to empower himself.
![Russian military officer Sergei Rudskoy sits below a map of Syria screened during a briefing at the headquarters of the Russian defense ministry in Moscow.]()
Russian military officer Sergei Rudskoy sits below a map of Syria screened during a briefing at the headquarters of the Russian defense ministry in Moscow.
The Putin-Prigozhin Fight Now Has a Syrian Battlefield
The Kremlin is trying to take control of the Wagner Group’s Middle Eastern empire.
![Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, followed by Singaporean President Halimah Yacob, inspects a guard of honor at the Istana presidential palace.]()
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, followed by Singaporean President Halimah Yacob, inspects a guard of honor at the Istana presidential palace.
Do Democracies Always Deliver?
As authoritarian capitalism gains credibility, free societies must overcome their internal weaknesses.
![Members of Russia's Wagner Group, including one soldier riding atop a tank, prepare to pull out from the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to their base in Rostov-on-Don.]()
Members of Russia's Wagner Group, including one soldier riding atop a tank, prepare to pull out from the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to their base in Rostov-on-Don.
Is Revolt in Russia Good for America?
The Wagner Group’s short-lived mutiny seems to have weakened Putin—but that isn’t necessarily a win for Washington.
![Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves after being greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping before the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia summit in Shanghai.]()
Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves after being greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping before the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia summit in Shanghai.
China’s Ideological Affinity With Russia Is Over
For Beijing, last weekend’s mutiny against Vladimir Putin was a cautionary tale.
![A close-up photo of Putin's head and shoulders shows the Russian leader with a serious expression.]()
A close-up photo of Putin's head and shoulders shows the Russian leader with a serious expression.
Putin’s Armor Has Been Pierced
Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin’s revolt has already revealed Putin’s domestic control to be slipping.
![A member of the Peoples Armed Police stands guard in frpnt of the flag of the European Union at the European Delegation before a press conference by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on April 6, 2023 in Beijing.]()
A member of the Peoples Armed Police stands guard in frpnt of the flag of the European Union at the European Delegation before a press conference by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on April 6, 2023 in Beijing.
Europe Is Stuck in a Toxic China Relationship
The continent wants to shift its China policy but can’t figure out how.
![Syrian President Bashar al-Assad talks with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa at the opening of the Arab Summit in Damascus in 2008.]()
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad talks with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa at the opening of the Arab Summit in Damascus in 2008.
Why Arab Countries Are Welcoming Back Assad
The region’s players all have their own interests in a stable Syria.
![Protesters wave Serbian national flags as they take part in the fifth "Serbia against violence" rally in Belgrade.]()
Protesters wave Serbian national flags as they take part in the fifth "Serbia against violence" rally in Belgrade.
How 2 Mass Shootings Put Serbia’s Populist President Under Pressure
A new protest movement in the Balkan country is squeezing Aleksandar Vucic domestically—all while tensions in Kosovo flare and put Serbia in the international spotlight.
The Arab Gulf’s New Nationalism
Ambitious leaders in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are restructuring national identity to solidify their rule.
The Muslim Brotherhood’s Survival Is Now in Question
Turkey has turned its back on the Islamist group, eliminating one of its last safe havens.
How Memory Survives in Putin’s Russia
Russia’s dictator controls its past. But can history that avoids politics live on?
The Economic Impact of Israel’s Surge Toward Authoritarianism
Plus: How did Israel become so economically successful in the first place?
Does U.S. Military Training Embolden Coup Plotters in Africa?
Weak institutions and underdevelopment also plague nations led by undemocratic regimes.
Israel’s Supreme Court Must Not Repeat Hungary’s Mistake
The judiciary needs to strike down Netanyahu’s judicial reform before he turns Israel into a sham democracy—just as Viktor Orban did in Hungary.
Russia Is Returning to Its Totalitarian Past
A forever war in Ukraine comes with almost limitless possibilities to stifle dissent.
The Palestinian Leader Who Survived the Death of Palestine
What would it mean for Hussein al-Sheikh to lead a people whose dream of independence is no longer alive?
China Is Taking a Wrecking Ball to Famous Mosques
Beijing is choosing repression over religious diplomacy.
How Dictators Make Money—and Money Makes Dictators
A new history of Russia’s ruble highlights the reciprocal relationship between autocracy and monetary policy.
You See What You Want to See in Russia
Why didn’t Prigozhin’s mutiny against Putin change anyone’s mind?
Lukashenko Won the Putin-Prigozhin Fight
The dictator of Belarus recognized the mutiny in Russia as an opportunity to empower himself.
The Putin-Prigozhin Fight Now Has a Syrian Battlefield
The Kremlin is trying to take control of the Wagner Group’s Middle Eastern empire.
Do Democracies Always Deliver?
As authoritarian capitalism gains credibility, free societies must overcome their internal weaknesses.
Is Revolt in Russia Good for America?
The Wagner Group’s short-lived mutiny seems to have weakened Putin—but that isn’t necessarily a win for Washington.
China’s Ideological Affinity With Russia Is Over
For Beijing, last weekend’s mutiny against Vladimir Putin was a cautionary tale.
Putin’s Armor Has Been Pierced
Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin’s revolt has already revealed Putin’s domestic control to be slipping.
Europe Is Stuck in a Toxic China Relationship
The continent wants to shift its China policy but can’t figure out how.
Why Arab Countries Are Welcoming Back Assad
The region’s players all have their own interests in a stable Syria.
How 2 Mass Shootings Put Serbia’s Populist President Under Pressure
A new protest movement in the Balkan country is squeezing Aleksandar Vucic domestically—all while tensions in Kosovo flare and put Serbia in the international spotlight.
