Content

New Atlanticist

Mar 19, 2020

Azerbaijan’s strongman senses opportunity in coronavirus pandemic

By Doug Klain

While many countries are scrambling to protect the public from COVID-19, authorities in Azerbaijan are using the virus as a pretext to continue their harassment of opposition groups.

Civil Society Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2020

Another prime minister nominee in Iraq: Will this one take?

By Abbas Kadhim

Al-Zurfi's success will depend on the Kurds and the Sunnis, whose opposition destroyed the chances of the previous nominee. For the Kurdish and the Sunni blocs, it is not a matter of whether Al-Zurfi is able to meet the governance challenges, but rather a question of if he will undertake enough political bargaining and ethno-sectarian apportionment of political positions that come with perks. Al-Zurfi will have to calculate how much he can give them to keep a semblance of legitimacy for his government.

Corruption Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Mar 17, 2020

Ukraine’s horrible, no good, very bad month just got worse

By Melinda Haring

Ukraine is having a bad month, and it only seems to be getting worse.

Democratic Transitions Rule of Law

AfricaSource

Mar 16, 2020

Removing Sudan’s terrorism designation: Proceeding with caution

By Cameron Hudson

No aspect of US policy towards Sudan has garnered more scrutiny, from both inside and outside the country, than Sudan’s continued designation on the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list. But the issue itself—whether Sudan should remain on the list and what would be required to remove it—is vastly complicated.

Africa Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Mar 13, 2020

Defending the Free World: Legislators from leading democracies join forces to advance a rules-based order

By Joseph Bodnar and Ash Jain

“This is a time when we have to collaborate and work together. There are vacuums in leadership around the world…and a huge role for members of parliament and legislators,” US Congressman Bill Keating (D-MA) said on February 16.

Democratic Transitions International Norms

UkraineAlert

Mar 12, 2020

Diaspora deputies: Should Ukraine’s global community have a voice in parliament?

By Andrej Lushnycky

Ukraine's multi-million strong global diaspora has long been a vocal voice of support for the motherland - is it now time to offer the diaspora a greater role in the development of Ukraine through parliamentary representation?

Democratic Transitions Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Mar 11, 2020

Support civilian leaders in Sudan while we have them

By Cameron Hudson

Rather than serving as a wakeup call to those inside Sudan that the former regime was still a force to be feared, the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Hamdok may have instead put Western nations on notice to support the civilian government while it still can.

Democratic Transitions Political Reform

New Atlanticist

Mar 10, 2020

Venezuela’s democratization: Leading with women to achieve peace

By Cristina Guevara

In order for Venezuela to transition to a more democratic, inclusive, and peaceful society, the interim government must strengthen women's political participation and decision-making power.

Democratic Transitions Venezuela

New Atlanticist

Mar 10, 2020

Modi’s canceled Bangladesh visit is an opportunity

By Ali Riaz

Recent demonstrations in Bangladesh against Modi’s visit speak volumes, literally and metaphorically. Instead of dismissing them as a conspiracy, both countries will be better served if their policymakers listen and take this opportunity to reassess their relationship and the domestic political environment in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Democratic Transitions

In the News

Mar 6, 2020

Roberts on the growing discontent of Chinese migrant workers

By Atlantic Council

On March 6, 2020, Dexter Tiff Roberts, nonresident senior fellow at the Asia Security Initiative and a veteran China journalist, published an article on the Wall Street Journal. His article focuses on how China’s experience with COVID-19 has revealed the existing “vulnerability of a pivotal, undervalued part of China’s economy—the hundreds of millions of migrant […]

China Democratic Transitions

Experts