
How Sectarianism Helped Destroy Lebanon’s Economy
The sectarian power-sharing agreement that ended Lebanon's civil war also wrecked its economy and led to widespread protests.

Iran’s Protest Movement Doesn’t Vindicate Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ Campaign
Further steps to asphyxiate the country’s economy will backfire.

Democracy in Iraq Depends on Press Freedom
Amid a heavy-handed crackdown on protesters, the international community must help Iraqi journalists maintain the free flow of information.

A Besieged Macron Doubles Down on de Gaulle
To distract from runaway protests, the French president is making a show of independence on the world stage.

Iran’s Regional Influence Campaign Is Starting to Flop
Tehran has long sought to throw its weight around across the region. Now the Islamic Republic is facing a backlash in Iraq, Lebanon, and at home.

Violence Is Sometimes the Answer
Protesters get slammed by critics whenever they use force. But for the state, it’s normalized.

A Flickering Beacon of Democracy in Russia’s Backyard
Georgians fear that billionaire leader Bidzina Ivanishvili and his Georgian Dream party are tightening their grip on power.

Untouchable No More: Hezbollah’s Fading Reputation
As Hezbollah sides with Lebanon's political elite, protesters in Beirut are increasingly willing to criticize it.

From Model to Muddle: Chile’s Sad Slide Into Upheaval
Chile’s government has sought for years to fix inequality problems that date to free market reforms under Pinochet. It just wasn’t nearly enough.

Colombia Joins Latin America’s Wave of Protests
After hundreds of thousands of anti-government demonstrators took to the streets, President Iván Duque’s administration faces calls to address a range of demands.

Chile’s Protesters Have Won a Path to a New Constitution
Here’s why they want to replace the dictatorship-era document.