"Delusive Smiles" song artist wrote Panga 2000th level

How Autocrats Weaponize AI — And How to Fight Back

• Albert Cevallos

Artificial Intelligence has become autocrats’ newest tool for surveilling, targeting, and crushing dissent. But this supercharged technology doesn’t need to favor tyrants. Activists must learn how to harness it in the fight for freedom.

Why DeepSeek Is So Dangerous

• Valentin Weber

The Chinese Communist Party’s newest AI advance is making repression smarter, cheaper, and more deadly. Even worse, they aim to export it to the world.

Why Dictators Fear Universal Jurisdiction

• Ezequiel Podjarny

It may be the best weapon we have for holding autocrats accountable for their crimes, and the world’s democracies are beginning to rally behind it.

How Drug Wars Destroy Democracy

• Juan Masullo
• Abbey Steele

Colombia’s drug war has ravaged the country — leaving tens of thousands dead, disappeared, or displaced and entire communities broken. Democracy is among the casualties.

The Quiet Demise of Jordan’s Political Space

• Elizabeth Parker-Magyar

In the shadow of Gaza’s destruction, the Jordanian regime has quietly repressed one of the main sources of the country’s political activism.

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Why Vladimir Putin’s Luck Ran Out

• Michael McFaul

For twenty years, the Russian autocrat enjoyed a string of good fortune in coming to power and cementing his rule. He had raised Russia’s standing in the world. Then he invaded Ukraine.

Election Results—October and November 2023

Reports on elections in Argentina, Ecuador, Gibraltar, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, New Zealand, Oman, Poland, and Switzerland.

Why Putin’s Days Are Numbered

• Vladimir Milov

The system that Russia’s autocrat built wasn’t designed to survive the pressures it is now facing.

South Africa Has Entered a New Era

• Ongama Mtimka

The African National Congress can no longer call all the shots, and opposition parties will have more sway. Will this lead to a more inclusive democracy or gridlock and division?

Inside Orbán’s Plan to Occupy Europe

• Kim Lane Scheppele

The Hungarian prime minister is on a mission to overrun Brussels, disrupt the EU, and consolidate his power at home. It just might work.

Excerpts from Robin Wright’s 1996 Journal of Democracy article “Islam and Liberal Democracy: Two Visions of Reformation”

These excerpts pertain to Rachid al-Ghannouchi and the challenge of blending Islam and democracy.

October 3, 2011

The Legacy of a True Russian Patriot

• Lucian Kim

Alexei Navalny loved Russia and was willing to risk everything for it. It is hard to grasp the magnitude of his death for his people and his country.

Why Germans Are Rallying Against the Far Right

• Michael Bröning

Hundreds of thousands of Germans are taking to the streets in protest against the country’s far-right parties. Will it shift the tide or leave Germany further divided?

For Xi Jinping, the Economy Is No Longer the Priority

• Guoguong Wu

Beijing’s focus has been on strong and steady economic growth for decades. But China’s leader has just put an end to that era. For Xi, it’s only about power—at home and abroad.

Drowning Democracy

• Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili
• Nataliia Shapoval

Afghanistan taught us that a firehose of unaccountable aid can destroy a country’s democratic future. In Ukraine, we are making the same mistake all over again.

Kazakhstan Rules with Empty Words and an Iron Fist

• Paolo Sorbello

Thousands took to the streets to protest. While the regime promises to listen, its actions make clear: Dissent will not be tolerated.

Why Slovakia Is Rising Up in Protest

• John Chin

The people have taken to the streets to demonstrate against corruption and Prime Minister Robert Fico’s pro-Moscow policies. Once again, Slovaks see their future in Europe, not Russia.

Is Germany Headed to a Political Crisis?

• Michael Bröning

After losing a confidence vote and triggering snap elections, can Olaf Scholz lead mainstream parties back to power, or will more radical forces prevail?

Taiwan’s Risky No-Holds-Barred Politics

• Raymond Kuo

The drama of the country’s divided government just played out in a failed, high-stakes vote to recall two-dozen opposition legislators. How both sides respond could determine the fate of Taiwan’s democracy.