Authoritarianism
206 Articles

A Pending Decision Pits Peace vs. Democracy in the Philippines
The question of postponing an election due next year in an autonomous region of Mindanao has some civil society organizations supporting the president's position.

High-Level US Attention Needed for a Backsliding Democracy in Central Asia
Voters in Kyrgyzstan approved a referendum on April 11 that expands the president’s powers and threatens the most vibrant civil society in the region.

Belarus Jailing of Journalists for Reporting on Peaceful Protest Violates International Law
An appeal hearing in Minsk offers a chance for the court to rectify an injustice that illustrates how reporters have been targeted for abuse..

China’s Dystopian “New IP” Plan Shows Need for Renewed US Commitment to Internet Governance
The US must rally partners to rein in the abuse of multilateral institutions for Huawei’s plans on 6G and beyond, which make concerns over 5G look minor.

Corruption Is a National Security Threat. The CROOK Act Is a Smart Way to Fight It.
A surcharge on entities liable under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could advance good governance abroad and help create a more stable world.

The Fight Against Kleptocracy Should Look Beyond the West
Efforts that help constrain the enabling environment for corruption in the West do not sufficiently tackle how foreign authoritarian actors turbocharge kleptocracy and the role…

The Noxious Nexus of Money and Politics Takes Another Turn in Central and Southeastern Europe
A Forbes-listed billionaire’s China-fueled deals illustrate the potential security threats of media and telecom capture by authoritarians.

In India, US Defense Secretary Austin Must Not Overlook Its Democratic Decline
The Indian government’s pattern of repressive actions could undermine its value as a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

In Haiti’s Political Crisis, US Should Support Democracy and Human Rights
Activists say the Biden administration should reverse its support of President Moïse's illegal, abusive rule and consult civil society on a way ahead.

If the US Wants to Push Back on Authoritarian Agendas at the UN, Get Counterterrorism Right
If the Biden administration is serious about promoting democracy and pushing back on authoritarianism, then it’s time for a policy response that confronts the way in which counterterrorism…

The American Insurrection Was a Gain for Dictators, and a Loss for Zimbabweans
The Jan. 6 Capitol riot marked a setback for millions of people around the world who yearn for more democratic societies where their voices matter.

On Biden’s Planned Summit: Humility, Not Hubris, Can Save Democracy
The voices of those who have suffered most from democracy’s ills are crucial to understanding – and addressing -- the impact of backsliding laws, policies, and institutions…