Tag: coronavirus

Kremlin joins China’s sharp power bandwagon

     

The coronavirus pandemic confirms that China’s authoritarian state capitalism with its hegemonic ambitions is by far the most difficult strategic challenge the West has ever faced, according to one observer…. Read more »

China’s ‘misplaced pandemic propaganda’ machine let loose on coronavirus

     

As the COVID-19 pandemic escalates, China has shifted its propaganda machine into high gear, in an effort to change the narrative about the virus’s origins and the Chinese response. But… Read more »

Russia under Putin: 20 years of protests

     

Calling for “discipline and responsibility” in the face of the coronavirus, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia on Wednesday announced the postponement of a referendum next month on whether he… Read more »

Covid-19’s latest victim: Hungary’s democracy

     

Covid-19 is about to claim a new victim: Hungary’s democracy, argues Dalibor Rohac, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. The country’s parliament is set to adopt a new law… Read more »

Safeguarding democracy from disinformation: China takes page from Russia’s playbook

     

China is taking a page from Russia’s disinformation playbook, observers suggest. The Chinese Communist Party has spent the past week publicly pushing conspiracy theories intended to cast doubt on the origins… Read more »

Geopolitical consequences: Will coronavirus enhance authoritarian appeal?

     

The coronavirus pandemic gripping the globe may have its origins in China, but experts say that current trends indicate the crisis will leave it in a much stronger position geopolitically… Read more »

COVID-19: A ‘breakthrough moment’ for China’s sharp power in global battle of narratives?

     

    Tomorrow’s front page of The Financial Times (above) confirms that the UK is the latest democracy to adopt unprecedented measures in an effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic…. Read more »

COVID-19 highlights lack of democratic resilience

     

The number of countries “knocking on China’s door” will give Beijing’s soft power a boost, according to one expert, The Washington Post reports.  “There is no European solidarity,” said Elias… Read more »

Democracy is ‘not immune’ to coronavirus

     

The requirements of social distancing are making every facet of life more difficult to maintain — including democracy, a fragile system of governance not immune to being ravaged by COVID-19. Perhaps… Read more »