Did the democratic world ‘fail Syria’?
The democratic world failed Syria, argues Fadi Azzam, a Syrian writer and the author of the novel Sarmada. “I don’t mean the West’s politicians, foreign ministers and generals. I mean… Read more »
Category: Civil Society
Beijing is exporting Great Firewall in effort to ‘tame’ Internet
Chinese authorities have detained a software developer for selling computer services that allow internet users to evade China’s “Great Firewall,” which blocks access to thousands of websites, from Facebook to… Read more »
UN General Assembly a crucial opportunity to reassert democracy-based soft power
This week’s United Nations General Assembly is a crucial opportunity to reassure the world that U.S. foreign policy is based primarily on the soft power of diplomacy rather than military… Read more »
Civil society taking fight against violent extremism to ‘a whole new level’
Iraqi security forces have made great progress toward defeating the Islamic State in Iraq. But whether this military success will translate into enduring stability will depend in large part upon the… Read more »
‘A potentially revolutionary tool’ – Global Magnitsky sanctions set in motion
Police and spy chiefs from China to the Middle East, a Ukrainian oligarch and a former president of Panama are among the people a coalition of human rights groups wants… Read more »
Has the West lost it? Is democracy endangered?
……..Serge Schmemann asks in The New York Times: Countries rarely embrace democracy as their first choice; they have often tried monarchies, oligarchies or other forms of coercive government first. They… Read more »
Liberia confronts challenges to consolidate its nascent democracy
With President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf set to step down after 12 years office, 20 candidates are competing to replace her. On 10 October 2017, Liberia will go to the polls… Read more »
Will global populism continue to erode democracies?
As we head into election season in Europe, the question that dominated the past spring’s elections remains on everyone’s mind: What will be the fate of populist movements, parties and… Read more »
Malaysia, soccer highlight corruption’s corrosive impact on democracy
The timing of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s White House visit seems especially questionable, considering that it will come just a month after the Justice Department announced that it was proceeding… Read more »
Liu Xiaobo’s legacy will shape China’s future, forum told
China’s government should ensure that the law grants access to independent legal counsel and family members, as well as addressing the ill-treatment in detention and deaths in custody, the United… Read more »