Democracy & Rule of Law
Democratic Backsliding & Solutions
188 Articles
The Failing Response to Violent Extremism in Africa – and the Need to Reform the International Approach
Militant groups recruit where predatory governments alienate youth, exclude vulnerable groups, and rule with violent impunity.
Anti-Coup Strategies Should Address Civilian Coup Allies
A robust anti-coup strategy must place the same pressures on civilian collaborators that military coup leaders face.
Preventing the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali from Falling into Irrelevance
With the UN Security Council considering renewal of MINUSMA's mandate, are there ways it can better address the range of security threats?
The US Needs a Global Anti-Coup Strategy
With partners, Washington can affect the calculus of local players and set an example of standing with local pro-democracy actors.
With New Global Fragility Act, US Must Avoid Past Mistakes and Let Haitians Control Their Own Democracy
The GFA "can be an opportunity for the United States to have a better Haiti policy...but seizing this opportunity requires more than rhetoric."
US, EU Face Higher Hurdles Now for Action Against Orbán’s Tightening Grip in Hungary
His landslide re-election and Russia's war on Ukraine makes pushback on the region's autocratization harder -- and more needed -- than ever.
Strengthening Democracy With the Global Fragility Act: Getting Political Transformation Right
US planning teams are preparing for a focus on Haiti, Libya, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, and the Littoral West Africa region.
With West Africa and Priority Countries Set, Potentially Game-Changing Global Fragility Act Still Faces Hurdles
Congress and the Biden administration still must move on funding and authorities to jump start the already delayed 10-year program.
The People of Myanmar Need to Be Heard, Not Ostracized, on the International Stage
So far, U.N. bodies have boosted the legitimacy of the Myanmar junta (at the ICJ) or denied the Burmese people the right to be represented at all (at the Human Rights Council).…
A Transitional Period Constitutional Question in Sudan
Sudan's military derailed a transition to civilian control in October. The former Minister of Justice takes a deep dive into the legal ambiguity in key founding documents that…
State and Local Solutions Are Integral to Protect Election Officials and Democracy
Four leading thinkers on U.S. democracy propose concrete steps to protect election officials.
Disinformation, Radicalization, and Algorithmic Amplification: What Steps Can Congress Take?
Ambassador (ret.) Karen Kornbluh proposes concrete steps to curb online extremist content - from requiring transparency to FTC enforcement actions.