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Democracy
commentary
African Dictators Have Been Losing Power—Some to Democratic Governments. Militaries Can Tip the Scales Toward Democracy
Nathaniel Allen, Alexander H. Noyes @alexhnoyes
Sep 16, 2019
The Washington Post Monkey Cage Blog
Africa's security forces most often make headlines when they commit atrocities, crack down on protesters, or seize power in coups. But Africa's troops can also contribute to democracy and peace when they lay down their arms or refuse orders to turn their guns against the people.
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Democracy
commentary
How Can the United States Support Democracies in the Former USSR?
Kenneth Yalowitz, William Courtney @courtneywmh
Sep 16, 2019
The National Interest
The West has only modest capacity to influence circumstances in most post-Soviet countries. In Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Moldova, however, the West has the potential to make a real difference by supporting civil society and improved governance.
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India
commentary
India and Kashmir, Now One
Rafiq Dossani
Aug 13, 2019
United Press International
In a legally risky move that's already having consequences on the ground, the Modi government scrapped the part of the Indian constitution that gave Jammu and Kashmir special autonomous status. How consequential is this? And how should the international community react?
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India
commentary
Kashmir's Democracy—and the World's
Jonah Blank
Aug 8, 2019
The Atlantic
Prime Minister Narendra Modi just changed the status of the restive Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. This may be the most important event in an enormously volatile part of the world since the end of the last century, with repercussions that will extend far beyond Kashmir itself.
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United Kingdom
commentary
A Challenging Moment for Boris Johnson
Charles P. Ries @charles_ries
Jul 23, 2019
The Hill
As Britain's next prime minister, Boris Johnson will bring advantages, and disadvantages, in seeking to lead the United Kingdom through a period as challenging as the Suez Crisis or (perhaps) the darkest days of World War II.
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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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