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.

Donald Trump at ASEAN summit in Malaysia
Donald Trump at ASEAN summit in Malaysia

Trump’s Tactics Could Unravel U.S. Strategy in Southeast Asia

The region is no stranger to dealmaking, but Washington’s selfish ends are self-damaging.

Analysis
Derek Grossman
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivers remarks during the closing ceremony of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Oct. 28, 2025.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivers remarks during the closing ceremony of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Oct. 28, 2025.

Why Southeast Asia Spoke Out Against Maduro’s Capture

The region’s rhetorical commitment reflects a wariness of great-power interference.

Southeast Asia Brief
Joseph Rachman
A painting shows soldiers on two sides firing rifles at each other with slain soldiers lying in heaps on either side and in the middle of the clash. The soldiers on the left wear uniforms with green jackets and fly a Mexican flag; on the right, American soldiers in blue jackets advance under their flag.
A painting shows soldiers on two sides firing rifles at each other with slain soldiers lying in heaps on either side and in the middle of the clash. The soldiers on the left wear uniforms with green jackets and fly a Mexican flag; on the right, American soldiers in blue jackets advance under their flag.

James Polk’s Warning for Donald Trump

The Mexican-American War offers sobering reminders of the current U.S. intervention in Venezuela.

Argument
Antonio De Loera-Brust
A massive submarine parked on land within a scaffolded structure is seen from the front. Workers cross a catwalk stretching over the submarine, clearly visible against a pale gray sky.
A massive submarine parked on land within a scaffolded structure is seen from the front. Workers cross a catwalk stretching over the submarine, clearly visible against a pale gray sky.

Russia’s Military Procurement Is a Warning for Europe

Putin’s order books reveal plans for conflict well beyond Ukraine

Argument
Jacob Parakilas, Pavlo Shkurenko
U.S. President Donald Trump, followed by deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after speaking to the press following U.S. military action in Venezuela, at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
U.S. President Donald Trump, followed by deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after speaking to the press following U.S. military action in Venezuela, at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump Has a Strategy for Venezuela

It is designed to avoid repeating the mistakes of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Argument
Matthew Kroenig
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine speaks at a podium while U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, standing to his right, looks on.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine speaks at a podium while U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, standing to his right, looks on.

Democrats Scathing, Republicans Exultant Over Maduro Capture

The polarized response to the Venezuela military operation shows how deeply divided Congress is on Trump’s foreign policies.

Report
Rachel Oswald
A plume of black smoke and orange fire billows from a sprawling midrise building complex. Dark shadows of mountains loom in the distance beneath a dim sky. A large building in the foothills of the mountains is lit up in the colors of the Venezuelan flag—yellow, blue, and red.
A plume of black smoke and orange fire billows from a sprawling midrise building complex. Dark shadows of mountains loom in the distance beneath a dim sky. A large building in the foothills of the mountains is lit up in the colors of the Venezuelan flag—yellow, blue, and red.

U.S. Airpower Can’t Run Venezuela

Any attempt to govern the nation’s future will need collaborators on the ground.

Argument
Robert Farley
A rocket is seen from a distance as it launches against a blue sky from the rocky surface of an island, a plume of white smoke billowing from beneath it. Other white plumes are visible to the side.
A rocket is seen from a distance as it launches against a blue sky from the rocky surface of an island, a plume of white smoke billowing from beneath it. Other white plumes are visible to the side.

Trump’s Venezuela Attack May Give China Cover on Taiwan

Beijing will welcome the chance for its own regional hegemony.

Analysis
Jesse Marks
George W. Bush proclaims mission accomplished in Iraq
George W. Bush proclaims mission accomplished in Iraq

Donald Trump Is Channeling George W. Bush

Iraq showed that removing a dictator isn’t the same thing as overcoming a dictatorship.

Argument
Christian Caryl
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, both wearing dark suits, walk in front of a line of Chinese soldiers dressed in uniform, sporting rifles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, both wearing dark suits, walk in front of a line of Chinese soldiers dressed in uniform, sporting rifles.

The Real Reason China and Russia Won’t Try a Maduro-Style Raid

U.S. rivals aren’t deterred by norms so much as by the limits of their own militaries.

Argument
Decker Eveleth
A person carries an American flag upside down in front of the U.S. Consulate in Greenland.
A person carries an American flag upside down in front of the U.S. Consulate in Greenland.

NATO Leaders Push Back Against Trump’s Greenland Threats

World Brief
Alexandra Sharp
A protester holds up a sign depicting U.S. President Donald Trump’s signature hair atop the outline of Greenland during a demonstration near the U.S. Consulate building outside Nuuk, Greenland.
A protester holds up a sign depicting U.S. President Donald Trump’s signature hair atop the outline of Greenland during a demonstration near the U.S. Consulate building outside Nuuk, Greenland.

Annexing Greenland Would Be a Strategic Catastrophe

Argument
Casey Michel
U.S. President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn after landing at the White House in Washington on Jan. 4.
U.S. President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn after landing at the White House in Washington on Jan. 4.

What Americans Really Think About Trump’s Venezuela Gambit

Infographic
Christina Lu
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, right, walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping as they arrive to a welcoming ceremony in Beijing.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, right, walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping as they arrive to a welcoming ceremony in Beijing.

What the Venezuela Attack Means for China

China Brief
James Palmer
A man holds a painting depicting U.S. President Donald Trump during a protest against U.S. intervention in Venezuela, in Buenos Aires.
A man holds a painting depicting U.S. President Donald Trump during a protest against U.S. intervention in Venezuela, in Buenos Aires.

Trump Might Have His Hubris Checked in Venezuela

Argument
David Ignatius
The dark silhouettes of oil refinery buildings are seen against a dusky sky.
The dark silhouettes of oil refinery buildings are seen against a dusky sky.

Intervening in Venezuela for the Oil Makes Little Sense

Analysis
Keith Johnson
A close-up view shows a woman wearing sunglasses and a ballcap. A TV screen is reflected in one lens of the sunglasses, showing Donald Trump speaking into a microphone.
A close-up view shows a woman wearing sunglasses and a ballcap. A TV screen is reflected in one lens of the sunglasses, showing Donald Trump speaking into a microphone.

The Venezuela Raid Is Great TV—but Won’t Win America’s Next War

Analysis
Franz-Stefan Gady
A modified red MAGA hat with "Venezuela" in masking tape over "America."
A modified red MAGA hat with "Venezuela" in masking tape over "America."

Trump’s Bad Neighbor Policy

Analysis
William M. LeoGrande, Peter Kornbluh
U.S. cabinet members, military leaders, and presidential advisors listen to U.S. President Donald Trump address the media at a podium.
U.S. cabinet members, military leaders, and presidential advisors listen to U.S. President Donald Trump address the media at a podium.

After Venezuela, Who’s Next?

World Brief
Alexandra Sharp
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez exits the stage after addressing the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City on Sept. 27, 2019.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez exits the stage after addressing the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City on Sept. 27, 2019.

What to Know About Venezuela’s Interim Leader 

Explainer
Christina Lu
A person wearing a large Trump mask holds a gun in one hand and an oil container in the other.
A person wearing a large Trump mask holds a gun in one hand and an oil container in the other.

The Political Incoherence of Trump’s Venezuela Gambit

Argument
Howard W. French
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz is seen surrounded by other diplomats and people at a U.N. Security Council meeting.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz is seen surrounded by other diplomats and people at a U.N. Security Council meeting.

Trump’s Attack on Venezuela Prompts an Identity Crisis at the U.N.

Report
John Haltiwanger

Trending

  1. 10 Conflicts to Watch in 2026

    FP Live

  2. Annexing Greenland Would Be a Strategic Catastrophe

    Argument
    Casey Michel

  3. James Polk’s Warning for Donald Trump

    Argument
    Antonio De Loera-Brust

  4. Trump Has a Strategy for Venezuela

    Argument
    Matthew Kroenig

  5. The Real Reason China and Russia Won’t Try a Maduro-Style Raid

    Argument
    Decker Eveleth

  6. 10 Conflicts to Watch in 2026

    Analysis
    Comfort Ero, Richard Atwood

  7. NATO Leaders Push Back Against Trump’s Greenland Threats

    World Brief
    Alexandra Sharp

  8. The Political Incoherence of Trump’s Venezuela Gambit

    Argument
    Howard W. French

  9. The World-Minus-One Moment

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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
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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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