How Twitter Failed Africa
Big Tech ignored policies that enable disinformation and propaganda across the continent.
How Democracy Can Defeat Autocracy
Autocrats are on the defensive as popular protests mount—but democracy’s fate depends on leaders delivering results.
Kazakhstan’s Protests Aren’t a Color Revolution
The country’s widespread popular demonstrations transcended class, region, and politics—making them distinct from those in Belarus and Ukraine.
Autocrats Are Exploiting COVID-19 to Weaken Central Bank Independence
The pandemic-induced economic crisis has created the perfect conditions for backtracking.
Will Unrest in Kazakhstan Inflame Tensions Between Russia and the West?
A sudden wave of protests has spooked the Kremlin and precipitated an unprecedented intervention by Moscow and its allies.
Why Serbia’s President Is a Threat to Europe
Aleksandar Vucic’s authoritarian government is aiding Russian and Chinese propaganda and allowing genocide denialists to celebrate war criminals.
Why One Man Can Ruin Turkey’s Economy
Did Erdogan break Turkish politics by empowering the presidency—or was it broken already?
Assad’s Family Reunion Could Be a Final Victory
By reconciling with an estranged uncle, Syria’s dictator may have definitively reestablished his power.
Hungary’s Strongman Is Running Scared
A unified democratic alliance finally has the chance to beat Viktor Orban and his Fidesz party in elections early next year.
Erdogan Has Never Been in This Much Trouble
Surrounded by rivals amid a collapsing economy, the Turkish president is facing the longest odds of his life.
Why Dictators Always Pretend to Love the Law
There’s something farcical—but entirely rational—about the way authoritarians such as Egypt’s Sisi invoke legal justifications for repression.
The Long Arm of Israeli Repression
Israel’s decision to designate human rights groups as terrorist organizations puts it in league with Russia and China.
Chinese Censorship Is Going Global
Beijing is not content to stop stifling free speech at the water’s edge. Western companies and institutions must put liberty before profits.
Indonesia Can’t Quell West Papua’s Growing Independence Movement
Jokowi’s approach to the restive province is fundamentally flawed.
A Nobel for Journalists Is a Direct Challenge to Authoritarians
Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov’s award will make leaders like Duterte and Putin think twice before attacking reporters—but only if democratic governments bolster the free press.
The Fatal Flaw in the West’s Fight Against Autocracy
The Pandora Papers reveal the critical role Western countries play in enabling autocrats.
Erdogan’s Heir Apparent Isn’t a Problem
Turkey’s minister of defense is a staunch nationalist—but that doesn’t mean he’s anti-Western.
Why Putin Is Obsessed With ‘Foreign Agents’
The Kremlin’s latest crackdown could ultimately backfire.
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