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Democracy
commentary
A Democratic Spring Could Be Stirring in Eurasia. The West's Quiet Support Can Help
Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Kenneth Yalowitz
Jun 13, 2019
Newsweek
An incipient Eurasian “democratic spring” may not yet be on the horizon, but political awareness and civil society are gaining ground. The West could contribute by continuing to help to fill information vacuums, and by offering training and support for nurturing civil society, conducting free and fair elections, and developing competitive politics.
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India
commentary
Modi Fans Nationalist Flames, Cruises to Victory in Indian Elections
Rafiq Dossani
Jun 3, 2019
The Hill
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2019 victory was a much greater achievement than his equally unexpected victory five years ago. Recognizing his weak position on economic and social issues, Modi shifted his campaign to a nationalist plank, and his party won overwhelmingly even in states where it lost elections just six months prior.
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Indonesia
commentary
What Jokowi’s Reelection Means for Indonesia
Jonah Blank
Apr 25, 2019
Foreign Affairs
On April 17, Indonesia conducted the largest single-day vote in any nation's history. President Joko Widodo has likely netted a second term. What does that mean for his nation and its place in the world?
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Terrorism
commentary
The Christchurch Massacre Was Another Internet-Enabled Atrocity
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Mar 20, 2019
The Hill
Terrorism has become an internet-enabled abuse—incited, propagated, and sometimes organized and concealed by online activity. Who should be held accountable for abusive content, the author or the publisher? And what role should the government play in regulating it?
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Democracy
commentary
Democratic Bright Spots in the South Caucasus
Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Kenneth Yalowitz
Jan 23, 2019
The National Interest
Democratic bright spots are emerging in Armenia and Georgia despite their being wedged between less-than-democratic regional powers. Both countries seek to consolidate democratic gains and overcome poverty while managing daunting challenges from Russia and separatist conflicts. While pursuing these priorities, the countries deserve continued, strong Western support.
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Counterterrorism
blog
Reflecting on the Past to Counter Future Terrorism
Nov 14, 2018
One Night with RAND brought together leaders in business, government, academia, and philanthropy to pay tribute to Brian Michael Jenkins and mark his 50-year affiliation with RAND and his substantial body of research on terrorism. Jenkins and other experts discussed the evolution of terrorism and strategies for countering it in the future.
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Pakistan
commentary
New Pakistan, Old Challenges
Rafiq Dossani, Jalal Awan
Oct 17, 2018
The National Interest
While the United States has been voicing concerns about the destabilizing potential of China's Belt and Road Initiative, Pakistan needs the economic stability that initiative could bring. As long as Pakistan remains a poor country, its democracy will be at risk.
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Information Operations
commentary
Iran's Disinformation Campaigns
Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
Aug 24, 2018
Foreign Affairs
New reports suggest that the Kremlin may have company in its efforts to shape the United States' domestic information landscape: Iran. As Americans prepare to return to the voting booths this fall, Washington would be well advised to look into Iran's disinformation capabilities and intentions.
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Information Operations
commentary
Here's How Russia Will Try to Interfere in the 2018 Elections
William Courtney @courtneywmh
Aug 14, 2018
Fox News Channel
Russia will threaten U.S. midterm elections in November, although by how much is unclear. Moscow might be more restrained this year, but it could be wilier.
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Democracy
commentary
Freedom of the Internet 'Press'
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Aug 10, 2018
The Hill
The First Amendment protects the rights of companies such as Facebook and YouTube to publish what they choose. Arguing against this right could lead to government regulation over digital media. It could also further degrade the reliability of online information.
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India
commentary
Politics in India—Not Business as Usual
Rafiq Dossani
Jun 19, 2018
Foreign Policy Concepts
India's ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has suffered recent, self-inflicted electoral setbacks. But it is still the best-organized and richest political party in the country. Can opposing alliances defeat the BJP?
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e-Government
commentary
E-enabled Elections: The Future of Overseas Voting in Europe?
Katherine Stewart
Apr 26, 2018
The RAND Blog
Interest in technological solutions for elections is at an all-time high, but there are only a few mature online voting systems to learn from. Countries seeking to pilot e-enabled elections can learn from Estonia and others, but should also learn from those that never made it to full implementation.
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Democracy
commentary
In Africa, Presidential Term Limits Are Working
Alexander H. Noyes @alexhnoyes
Apr 24, 2018
The Washington Post Monkey Cage Blog
World news regularly features headlines about African power grabs and constitutional coups. Presidents Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia both adhered to term limits, stepping aside after finishing their second terms. Are they part of a broader trend?
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e-Government
commentary
Online Voting: The Solution to Declining Political Engagement?
Katherine Stewart, Jirka Taylor
Mar 23, 2018
E!Sharp
The potential benefits of online voting merit a conversation across Europe about its increased use in elections. But the evidence is mixed on whether online voting actually helps increase voter turnout.
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Civic Education
commentary
Truth Decay and the Spirit of the Law
Dan Grunfeld
Mar 23, 2018
Daily Journal
The widening gap between how the law is expected to be (and generally is) practiced, and certain events transpiring in America's political and policymaking realms, is of increasing concern.
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Political Reform Movements
commentary
Unrest in Iran: An Opportunity for Democratic Change
Richard C. Baffa
Jan 14, 2018
U.S. News & World Report
As the unrest that began in Iran on Dec. 28 begins to wane following a crackdown, it is difficult to assess what may come next. But this is not the first time Iranians have come out on the streets to protest and challenge authoritarian rule, nor will it be the last; the Iranian people have a long history of seeking a democratic political order.
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