Democracy & Rule of Law
Democratic Backsliding & Solutions
188 Articles

Twenty Years After 9/11, the US Needs a Better Strategy to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism
Five steps the Biden-Harris administration should take to ensure that it is developing and implementing a more up-to-date and effective approach to P/CVE.

Beyond the Coup in Myanmar: Don’t Ignore the Religious Dimensions
The changing nature of how religion intersects with political protest reveals much about how the country as a whole is changing, and what its future holds.

Beyond the Coup in Myanmar: Inside Karen State
The coup has been a "nightmare" for democracy supporters across Myanmar - but for those in Karen State, protests have brought cautious hope and unity. A view from the ground.

Beyond the Coup in Myanmar: “In Accordance with the Law” – How the Military Perverts Rule of Law to Oppress Civilians
The Tatmadaw have used the concept of "law" to justify both arbitrary violence against anti-coup protestors and the coup itself. But what would true "rule of law" mean in Myanmar?

Beyond the Coup in Myanmar: Echoes of the Past, Crises of the Moment, Visions of the Future
The Feb. 1 coup opened the latest front in a historic battle for democracy and peace. Today, we launch a series on the coup, its context, and what the future may hold for Myanmar.

Overlooking the Policy Connections: Fragility, Democracy, and Geopolitical Competition
To reinforce global democracy and compete with rivals, the US must prevent conflict and stabilize fragile states. The issues are intertwined.

Getting US-Africa Relations Back on Track With a Focus on Human Rights
The Biden administration needs to ensure that solutions it offers for the continent's challenges are Africa-led, inclusive, multilateral, and multifaceted.

No Military Solutions: A New Approach to Preventing Atrocities
To be a credible proponent of peace, the US must shed destabilizing security ties and unneeded military capabilities, and invest in conflict prevention.

The Global Fragility Act Could Give US Assistance and Diplomacy a New Start for Countries in Conflict
The Biden administration should draw on lessons from previous successes in Central America, and Congress must provide sufficient funding.

UN Security Council Won’t Respond to Myanmar’s Coup, But the General Assembly Can
Responding to the coup in Myanmar calls for ambitious out-of-the-box thinking, and an understanding that such pressure is unlikely to come from the United Nations Security Council.

Myanmar is Experiencing a Digital-Age Coup – Tech Companies Must Push Back
Since taking power, Myanmar's military has limited access to social media, and at times cut internet service overall. What can tech companies do to resist?

To Prevent Atrocities, Break Bureaucratic Silos, Don’t Build A New One
Attempts to reduce risks of mass atrocities will be stronger if they are integrated with policy efforts to prevent conflict, address fragility, and counter extremism.