Democratic Transitions

Democratic Transitions

The number of democracies has increased from around a dozen during the Second World War to nearly 100 today. Societies are presented with unique political, social, and economic challenges as they attempt to transform the institutions, policies, and norms of authoritarian governance into an open and democratic system.

Content

Inflection Points

Dec 22, 2019

Six reasons for an optimistic 2020

By Frederick Kempe

Tis the season to be gloomy, when the world’s prognosticators provide their competing lists of the coming year’s top risks. And there are plenty of candidates, from Iran to North Korea, and from American elections to global warming. But acting on the advice of Winston Churchill, here are six sources of optimism for 2020.

Climate Change & Climate Action Conflict

UkraineAlert

Dec 19, 2019

Putin’s Russia is stagnating but there will be no “Moscow Maidan”

By Dennis Soltys

The Russian economy is facing stagnation and domestic discontent is on the rise, but the strengths of Putin's authoritarian system mean Ukrainians should not expect a repeat of their own Maidan movement in Moscow anytime soon.

Democratic Transitions Political Reform

UkraineAlert

Dec 17, 2019

Mr. Kuleba comes to Washington

By Melinda Haring

Ukraine’s Deputy PM Dmytro Kuleba visited Washington, DC, last week to reassure the US government that President Zelenskyy’s team remains committed to the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration.

Democratic Transitions Geopolitics & Energy Security

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2019

A tale of two flags: How Bolivia’s racial divide is shaping its political crisis

By Sarah Hennessey

For a decade, Bolivia has existed under two flags, that have represented the country’s distinct cultural heritages. Now, facing uncertain new elections, it remains to be seen if indigenous and non-indigenous Bolivians will be able to find a common path towards stability and the reinstitution of democratic norms.

Democratic Transitions Latin America

In the News

Dec 7, 2019

Kadhim joins The Monocle to discuss the ongoing demonstrations in Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Corruption

New Atlanticist

Dec 6, 2019

Afghanistan at a crossroads

By James B. Cunningham

After decades of conflict, today there is at least a prospect that a path to peace in Afghanistan might be opened. At the same time, it seems that once again the country is at a crossroads, with its future to be determined by decisions that will be taken in the coming weeks by Afghans, their partners, and their adversaries. Those decisions can set the stage for further success in the hard struggle of the Afghan people and their elected leaders for the better future they are striving for.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Dec 6, 2019

Prime minister promises “Sudan will never be the same again”

By David A. Wemer

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok became the first Sudanese leader to travel to Washington, DC in more than thirty years, seeking to win more international support for his transitional government as it tries to guide Sudan towards democracy. “There is a success story that is emerging” in Sudan, Hamdok told an audience at the Atlantic Council on December 5. In a “region full of crises and riddled with conflicts, Sudan provides hope,” Hamdok declared.

Democratic Transitions Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

New Atlanticist

Dec 2, 2019

Iraqi prime minister’s resignation: Lessons for the United States and Iran

By Thomas S. Warrick

The current crisis has important lessons for both United States and Iranian policymakers as they consider what relationship they want to have with Iraq: not just the Iraqi political class, but the Iraqis in the street, who represent—in some cases more closely than the Iraqi political class in Baghdad—the 80 percent of Iraqis who are under forty years old.

Democratic Transitions Iraq

In the News

Dec 2, 2019

Hudson in AllAfrica: Sudan’s house divided poses challenge to successful revolution

By Atlantic Council

Africa Democratic Transitions
Iraqi prime minister's resignation, Adil Abdul-Mahdi

MENASource

Dec 2, 2019

The Iraqi prime minister’s resignation: A way ahead for the United States

By C. Anthony Pfaff

Iraq’s Prime Minister, Adil Abdul-Mahdi, should be feeling a great sense of relief. Since mid-October, media outlets have reported his intent to resign amid violent protests that have engulfed much of Iraq. His resignation should be no surprise. Since the fall of Saddam, Iraq has a history of picking leaders who do not pose a […]

Corruption Democratic Transitions
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Experts

Staff

Aalaa Abuzaakouk

Deputy Director

Global Leadership Center

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Rend Al-Rahim

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Jieun Baek

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Democratic Transitions Human Rights

Fellow

Constance Berry Newman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Civil Society Democratic Transitions

Staff

Uliana Certan

Assistant Director, European Engagement

Global Energy Center

Democratic Transitions Energy & Environment
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