Democracy Lab

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.

Dick Cheney leans over.
Dick Cheney leans over.

Dick Cheney, Architect of the War on Terrorism, Dies

The former U.S. vice president set out to strengthen the power of the presidency and the country but ultimately undermined both.

Obituary
Jeffrey A. Engel
A wide view shows the large circular table of the U.N. Security Council, with about fifteen representatives seated at placards naming their countries and various aides sitting in chairs behind them. A mural stretches across one large wall, and the other is covered in green wallpaper.
A wide view shows the large circular table of the U.N. Security Council, with about fifteen representatives seated at placards naming their countries and various aides sitting in chairs behind them. A mural stretches across one large wall, and the other is covered in green wallpaper.

Could the Financial Action Task Force Save U.N. Sanctions?

As a more technical body, the task force might be able to fill the gap left by Security Council paralysis.

Argument
Aaron Arnold, Wojciech Pawlus
A group of people in colorful clothing wait in line with empty pots in the desert.
A group of people in colorful clothing wait in line with empty pots in the desert.

COP30’s Dangerous Omission

Brazil’s people-centered climate vision risks abandoning the most vulnerable.

Argument
Mauricio Vazquez, Habib Mayar
A high-speed electrical multiple unit (EMU) train attendant waits for passengers at Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 24.
A high-speed electrical multiple unit (EMU) train attendant waits for passengers at Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 24.

Indonesia’s Belt and Road Railway to Nowhere

For a while, it looked as if China had learned its lesson on scaling back investments.

Southeast Asia Brief
Joseph Rachman
Catherine Connolly, smiling and wearing a gray suit, arrives at Dublin Castle as supporters cheer her on.
Catherine Connolly, smiling and wearing a gray suit, arrives at Dublin Castle as supporters cheer her on.

Ireland’s Next President Will Assume the Progressive Mantle

Anti-war candidate Catherine Connolly’s victory is the country’s latest rebuke to the global right-wing populist wave.

Analysis
Una Mullally
A blond woman in a black suit sits behind a sign with her last name on it. The EU flag is seen behind her.
A blond woman in a black suit sits behind a sign with her last name on it. The EU flag is seen behind her.

Ukraine’s New U.S. Ambassador Previews Her Pragmatic Approach to Washington

“I am Ukrainian, right? I’m not a Democrat or Republican.”

Interview
Sam Skove
On a sunny day outside, a line of residents in a town in Jamaica hit by Hurricane Melissa works together to unload a delivery of food supplies.
On a sunny day outside, a line of residents in a town in Jamaica hit by Hurricane Melissa works together to unload a delivery of food supplies.

In Hurricane Melissa’s Wake, Trump’s Foreign Aid Cuts Face Critical Moment

The storm’s devastation is a key test of the United States’ reduced humanitarian response abilities.

Analysis
Rachel Oswald
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrive for trade talks in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrive for trade talks in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30.

How Beijing Views Trump

A top China scholar and former Biden administration advisor on the Trump-Xi meeting and the future of the U.S.-China relationship.

Insider
Ravi Agrawal
A view of the entrance of White Sands Missile Range, where the Trinity nuclear test site is located, near White Sands, New Mexico, on Feb. 21, 2024.
A view of the entrance of White Sands Missile Range, where the Trinity nuclear test site is located, near White Sands, New Mexico, on Feb. 21, 2024.

What Does Trump Think Nuclear Testing Is?

A vague statement opens a range of expensive possibilities.

Analysis
Decker Eveleth
Russell Vought speaks in front of a microphone while Donald Trump listens, both wearing blue suits with red ties, in front of a blurred painting of a man on a horse.
Russell Vought speaks in front of a microphone while Donald Trump listens, both wearing blue suits with red ties, in front of a blurred painting of a man on a horse.

Why Russell Vought Is One of the Most Powerful People in Washington

Trump’s budget director is working through the system rather than around it.

Analysis
Julian E. Zelizer
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi at a gathering of foreign ministers of the Indo-Pacific Quad at the U.S. Department of State in Washington on July 1.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi at a gathering of foreign ministers of the Indo-Pacific Quad at the U.S. Department of State in Washington on July 1.

The Quad Is Dead, Long Live the Quad

Argument
Arzan Tarapore
Visitors take selfies with the logo of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) outside of the TSMC Museum of Innovation on April 18 in Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Visitors take selfies with the logo of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) outside of the TSMC Museum of Innovation on April 18 in Hsinchu, Taiwan.

Taiwan’s Government Is Scared of Its Own Semiconductor Giant

Analysis
Feifei Hung
Members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) shout slogans and hold a poster of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls ahead of state elections in the country's Bihar state, during a protest in New Delhi on July 28.
Members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) shout slogans and hold a poster of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls ahead of state elections in the country's Bihar state, during a protest in New Delhi on July 28.

India Is Disenfranchising Millions of Voters

Analysis
Joshua Yang
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrives at Afghanistan's embassy in New Delhi for a press conference on Oct. 12.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrives at Afghanistan's embassy in New Delhi for a press conference on Oct. 12.

The Taliban’s Entry Into India-Pakistan Rivalry

Analysis
C. Raja Mohan
A municipal worker hoists flags of various countries near Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport on Oct. 11.
A municipal worker hoists flags of various countries near Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport on Oct. 11.

Can the Gulf Rebuild the Middle East?

Analysis
Rob Geist Pinfold
US President Donald Trump welcomes leaders at the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, on October 13.
US President Donald Trump welcomes leaders at the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, on October 13.

The U.N. Must Help Consolidate Gaza Peace

Argument
Frank Lowenstein, Liam Hamama
Trump speaks at a podium in front of a giant American flag hanging between columns at the White House. To his left are a teleprompter and another man in a suit, Lutnick, holding a chart with reciprocal tariff rates.
Trump speaks at a podium in front of a giant American flag hanging between columns at the White House. To his left are a teleprompter and another man in a suit, Lutnick, holding a chart with reciprocal tariff rates.

What the U.S. Supreme Court Tariffs Case Is Really About

Analysis
Keith Johnson
A crucifix hangs on the wall of a church above damage on the floor. One the left is an armed soldier in a hallway.
A crucifix hangs on the wall of a church above damage on the floor. One the left is an armed soldier in a hallway.

Why Is Trump Suddenly Talking About Invading Nigeria?

Analysis
Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan delivers remarks during her closing campaign rally.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan delivers remarks during her closing campaign rally.

Tanzania’s President Sworn In Amid Political Crisis

World Brief
Alexandra Sharp
A massive aircraft carrier cuts across open ocean toward the camera, with dozens of warplanes clustered together on the surface of its flight deck. In the background, in the ship's triangular wake, smaller gray naval ships follow.
A massive aircraft carrier cuts across open ocean toward the camera, with dozens of warplanes clustered together on the surface of its flight deck. In the background, in the ship's triangular wake, smaller gray naval ships follow.

With Military Buildup Against Venezuela, the U.S. Eyes Cuba as Well

Analysis
William M. LeoGrande, Peter Kornbluh
A 23-kiloton nuclear test explosion is seen at the Nevada Test Site near Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18. 1953.
A 23-kiloton nuclear test explosion is seen at the Nevada Test Site near Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18. 1953.

A New Nuclear Arms Race?

The Reading List
Chloe Hadavas
Donald Trump, left, wears a red tie and blue suit. Xi Jinping, wearing a blue tie and suit, waves his hand.
Donald Trump, left, wears a red tie and blue suit. Xi Jinping, wearing a blue tie and suit, waves his hand.

Why China Is Winning the Trade War

Insider
Cameron Abadi, Adam Tooze

Trending

  1. With Military Buildup Against Venezuela, the U.S. Eyes Cuba as Well

    Analysis
    William M. LeoGrande, Peter Kornbluh

  2. Why Is Trump Suddenly Talking About Invading Nigeria?

    Analysis
    Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún

  3. Dick Cheney, Architect of the War on Terrorism, Dies

    Obituary
    Jeffrey A. Engel

  4. What Does Trump Think Nuclear Testing Is?

    Analysis
    Decker Eveleth

  5. COP30’s Dangerous Omission

    Argument
    Mauricio Vazquez, Habib Mayar

  6. What the U.S. Supreme Court Tariffs Case Is Really About

    Analysis
    Keith Johnson

  7. Ukraine’s New U.S. Ambassador Previews Her Pragmatic Approach to Washington

    Interview
    Sam Skove

  8. How Beijing Views Trump

    Insider
    Ravi Agrawal

  9. The Quad Is Dead, Long Live the Quad

    Argument
    Arzan Tarapore

Galleries

Protesters—many of them armed—try to enter the Michigan House of Representatives chamber and are stopped by state police during a protest April 30 demanding that businesses be reopened. An “American Patriot Rally” organized by Michigan United for Liberty was held earlier in the day on the steps of the state Capitol in Lansing. JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images
Protesters—many of them armed—try to enter the Michigan House of Representatives chamber and are stopped by state police during a protest April 30 demanding that businesses be reopened. An “American Patriot Rally” organized by Michigan United for Liberty was held earlier in the day on the steps of the state Capitol in Lansing. JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images

The Week in World Photos

Global protests against government-imposed lockdowns, gang violence in El Salvador, and hat tips to medical staff.

Diana D'Abruzzo
Muslims offer prayers on April 23, the first night of Ramadan, in Bireuen, Indonesia. AMANDA JUFRIAN/AFP via Getty Images
Muslims offer prayers on April 23, the first night of Ramadan, in Bireuen, Indonesia. AMANDA JUFRIAN/AFP via Getty Images

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.

Diana D'Abruzzo

Latest

In the Magazine

Current Issue: Spring 2020 Archives

In the Magazine

Current Issue: Spring 2020 Archives
foreign-policy-magazine-cover-coronavirus-globalization-spring-2020
foreign-policy-magazine-cover-coronavirus-globalization-spring-2020
deglobalization-localization-lego-globe-ben-fearnley
deglobalization-localization-lego-globe-ben-fearnley

How to Save Global Capitalism From Itself

Decentralizing decision-making can help left-behind regions get back on track. This article has an audio recording

Essay
Raghuram G. Rajan
brexit-deglobalization-brian-stauffer-illustration
brexit-deglobalization-brian-stauffer-illustration

Britain’s Post-Brexit Identity Crisis

Boris Johnson has contradictory ideas for his country’s future—and no clear paths for getting there.

Argument
James Crabtree

The Ugly End of Chimerica

The coronavirus pandemic has turned a conscious uncoupling into a messy breakup.

Argument
Orville Schell

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.

Decoder
Snigdha Poonam
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