democracy vs authoritarian

Why This Time Is Different for Venezuela

• Paola Bautista de Alemán

For years, the Venezuelan opposition has fought hard against a corrupt regime — and come up short. But this time, with four key ingredients in place, we are on the cusp of a historic victory.

What the Freedom Agenda Can Still Teach Us

• Peter Feaver
• William Inboden

Many derided it as naïve idealism, but the vision undergirding the Freedom Agenda offers lessons for the biggest global tests of our time.

Kishore’s World

How to Dictator-Proof Your Money

• Alex Gladstein

Cash is king, even if you are an activist leading a democratic movement against some of the world’s worst dictators. That’s why Bitcoin has quickly become the currency of choice for dissidents working everywhere.

What Does a Humiliated Putin Mean for Russia?

• Timothy J. Colton

While widespread violence or civil war was averted, the consequences for Russia—and Putin—could be grave.

Inside Pakistan’s Deeply Flawed Election

• Ayesha Jalal

The country’s polls were marred by delayed results and charges of rigging. Worse, they might plunge Pakistan into an even deeper political crisis.

Maduro Rules Through Repression

• William J. Dobson

The strongman lost in a landslide, and the Venezuelan people are paying the price.

What It Takes to Win the New Cold War with China

• Carl Gershman

Our struggle against the Soviet Union offers vital lessons for how to confront the aggressive totalitarian threat that Beijing now represents.

Botswana’s Misunderstood “Miracle”

• Samuel Anim

The country’s 2024 presidential contest was a big surprise, as voters elected a new party for the first time. Despite decades of dominant-party rule, a strong democratic culture has long been ingrained in Botswana.

Why Vladimir Kara-Murza Gave Up His Freedom

• Pedro Pizano

The Russian dissident journalist and activist knew if he returned to Russia he would be imprisoned or worse. But he was plagued by one question that compelled him to go.

Putin’s Formula for Ruling Russia Is Failing

• Robert Person

The Russian autocrat’s system of control has rested on pillars that are beginning to crumble.

Tracking the “Arab Spring”: Egypt’s Failed Transition

Why Indonesia’s Democracy Is in Danger

• Thomas B. Pepinsky

Indonesian voters have made Prabowo Subianto, a special-forces commander with a dark past, their next president. Even as voters flocked to the polls, his election is a harbinger of democracy’s decline.

The Son Also Rises

• Richard Javad Heydarian

Many feared Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s election would spell the end of Philippine democracy. But the dictator’s son has surprised nearly everyone, playing the role of a reformer while moving fast to sideline his populist rivals.

The Puzzle of the Chinese Middle Class

Is Erdoğan on His Way Out?

• Philip Balboni

The Turkish president came to power as an antiestablishment everyman. Twenty years later he is an authoritarian leader clinging to power. Will the forces that catapulted him to power be his demise?

Why Aspiring Autocrats Are Watching Serbia

• Filip Milačić

Aleksandar Vučić is tearing down what remains of Serbian democracy while the West remains silent. Serbia has become a test case for democratic resolve, and the region’s would-be strongmen are taking notice.

This Is Not the End of Putin’s Troubles

• Kathryn Stoner

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s rebellion has exposed the fundamental instability of Putinism.

Putin Just Learned Why You Don’t Trust Mercenaries

• Zoltan Barany

The Russian autocrat forgot an age-old truth about working with common criminals and soldiers for hire.

Why Taiwan’s Voters Defied Beijing—Again

• Raymond Kuo

Taiwan’s voters rewarded the ruling party with an unprecedented third consecutive term, despite the mainland’s attempts to intimidate. Expect Beijing to find new ways to threaten the democracy off its coast.