Taiwan: The ‘most consequential election of 2020’?
The most consequential election of 2020 might not come at the end of the year, when US President Donald Trump seeks a second term in the White House, but much… Read more »
Search Results for: china influence
Democracy embattled: How bad is the crisis?
Around the world, democracies are getting weaker and elected politicians are becoming more unpopular. Are they serving the people—or themselves? The Economist asks (see below). The Crisis of Democracy and… Read more »
Setback for autocrats use of sharp power to subvert the West
Zdenek Hrib had been in office for only a couple of months when he first locked horns with Beijing. The youthful mayor of Prague was welcoming diplomats to a reception… Read more »
Conspiracy theories as counter-narratives: Should democracies adapt to disinformation?
A Russian-linked operation aimed at dividing Western allies spread disinformation on social media for three years, according to a new analysis, Bloomberg reports: Hundreds of accounts on multiple internet platforms… Read more »
What went wrong in Central and Eastern Europe? A case for ‘pessoptimism’
There’s has been extensive and ongoing debate about “what went wrong in Central and Eastern Europe” and what explains its various forms of illiberalism and democratic decline. A variety of,… Read more »
Taiwan ‘battling a wave of online disinformation’
Taiwan is the territory most exposed to foreign disinformation from you-know-where, research suggests. Thousands of lies flood social media every day in Taiwan, a new frontier of information warfare. Scholars say… Read more »
The False Romance of Russia: Competing in the Gray Zone
Russia has been aiming to destabilize both its “near abroad” — the former Soviet states except for the Baltics — and wider Europe through the use of ambiguous “gray zone”… Read more »
Taiwan’s Destiny: Election at ‘center of a clash between two forces’
Taiwan’s top diplomat said that his government stands with Hong Kong citizens pushing for “freedom and democracy,” and would help those displaced from the semi-autonomous Chinese city if Beijing intervenes… Read more »
As disinformation spreads, ‘microtargeting’ advertising tools may threaten democracy
As Facebook sought to recover from its disastrous 2016 election season, company officials debated ways to curb distortions and disinformation on the platform. One of the most potentially powerful… Read more »
Art of Deceit: West’s strategic culture impedes political warfare against autocrats’ sharp power
Authoritarian states have taken a “whole-of-government” approach to weaponizing previously benign activities like diplomacy, media, investment flows, and civil society activity, says a new report. But their activities betray a… Read more »