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Democracy & Rule of Law

Democratic Backsliding & Solutions

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MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: A protester who identified himself as Little (L) joins a small group of protesters as they listen to the national anthem on the first anniversary of the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 06, 2022 in Miami, Florida. The group held the rally in front of the Federal Detention Center, where Paul Hodgkins, the first person sentenced for participating in the riot at the Capitol, is being held. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

More Federal Coordination Needed to Tackle U.S. Domestic Extremism

Editor’s note: This article is part of a series from leading experts with practical solutions to democratic backsliding, polarization, and political violence. On Jan. 13, the…
Jan. 24, 2022
The dome of the U.S. Capitol Buidling and the US flag.

Congress Can and Should Address the Threat from Unauthorized Paramilitary Activity

This article is the first in a series of leading experts with practical solutions to democratic backsliding, polarization, and political violence.
Jan. 24, 2022

For Sudan’s Democratic Imperative, the US and Others Must Intensify Support

How to curb the coup leaders and decisively support the people showing nonviolent dedication to freedom and democracy.
Jan. 18, 2022
Sudan's top army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan holds a press conference at the General Command of the Armed Forces in Khartoum on October 26, 2021.

Sudan’s Constitutional Crisis: Dissecting the Coup Declaration

Suspending certain articles while retaining parts of the transitional deal cloaks a unilateral power-grab as merely a course correction.
Nov. 3, 2021
Sudanese anti-coup protesters carry the portrait of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, ousted by the military, during a gathering in the capital Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman on October 30, 2021, to express their support for the country's democratic transition which a military takeover and deadly crackdown derailed.

Sudanese Send Clear `No’ to Military Coup. What Will Security Forces Do Next?

After mass nonviolent protests, look out for arrests of opponents, prison releases of Islamists, and actions by a key paramilitary unit.
Nov. 1, 2021
Three side-by side images of demonstrations in Sudan. The two on the outer edges show many people marching in the streets. The center image shows a person sitting on a low brick fence.

How Many (More) Sudanese Have to Die for Democracy?

Mass protests planned for Saturday will be a test of wills. It is safe to bet on the Sudanese people to brave the threat of escalated violence. The question is whether political…
Oct. 29, 2021 and
US President Joe Biden participates virtually in the annual ASEAN Summit from the South Court Auditorium of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 26, 2021. On the left, President Biden is seen at a desk with his hands folded in front of his face. On the right, is a screen shot of the virtual event with the logo for ASEAN against a background of the world map focused on Asia and Australia and stars from the US flag. “US-ASEAN Virtual Summit” is written across the background.

ASEAN Has Failed on Myanmar. What’s Next?

ASEAN excluded the Myanmar junta from its summit this week - but remains reluctant to condemn the coup or provide robust help to the people of Myanmar. How should the rest of the…
Oct. 27, 2021
Sudanese protesters lift national flags as they rally on 60th Street in the capital Khartoum, to denounce overnight detentions by the army of government members, on October 25, 2021.

After the Coup in Sudan: Key (Short-Term) Indicators for Democratic Survival

Key indicators to measure the prospect for democracy to survive the current crisis — from scale of street protests to army's withstanding defections to specific words chosen…
Oct. 25, 2021
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Afghan all-female robotics team members at Qatar's Education City Club House in Doha on September 7, 2021.

The Last Days in Afghanistan Should Not Deter Biden from Looking Beyond the 9/11 Paradigm

It's time to get off this loop. But ending “endless wars” should not be equated with simplistic solutions.
Sep. 22, 2021
Large ships and small boats at the Asia World deep sea port in downtown Yangon on March 16, 2016 in Yangon, Burma.

Beyond the Coup in Myanmar: The Tatmadaw Must Be Hit Where it Hurts – Its Wallet

It's time for the the world to cut off Myanmar junta's access to international markets, writes Chris Sidoti.
Jul. 14, 2021
Students wait outside classrooms in Sittwe, capital of western Rakhine State on June 1, 2021. Barbed wire separates the photographer and the students.

Beyond the Coup in Myanmar: Don’t Let the Light of Education Be Extinguished

Educational reforms in Myanmar were derailed first by COVID, then by the coup. A local teacher explains the consequences, and how the international community can support education…
Jun. 16, 2021
A Rohingya refugee family rests in a temporary shelter days after a fire burnt their home at a refugee camp in Ukhia, in the southeastern Cox's Bazar district on March 25, 2021.

Beyond the Coup in Myanmar: The Views of Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

The coup seemed to dash Rohingya refugee hopes of return to Myanmar. But some feel cautious hope at newfound cross-ethnic solidarity.
Jun. 10, 2021 and
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