Written by: Audrey McGrory While Germany has positioned itself as the bulwark of European interests in intercontinental and foreign affairs, its murky dealings and relationships with authoritarian regimes have influenced important policy decisions, threatening the legitimacy of international institutions and democracy. Historically, Germany has been slow to condemn and challenge the authoritarian regimes of China…
Tag: Authoritarianism
Deterring China Demands Unambiguous Support for Taiwan
Written by: Pranav Krishnan The American-led, liberal-world order has ushered in an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity around the globe. It can not subsist, however, without free and democratic states knowing that they need not take exorbitant measures to arm themselves or align with autocratic powers to preserve their sovereignty. Thus, the United States…
How Russian Propaganda Informs Its Domestic and Foreign Policy
Written by: Audrey McGrory Like banyas, Matryoshka dolls, and dachas, propaganda has been prevalent in Russia for centuries, defining itself as not merely a well-used political tactic, but a cultural fixture as quintessential as other Russian practices and customs. The use of propaganda by the Russian government has been potent in Russian society—withstanding the political,…
The Anti-Coup Resistance that Halted Sudan’s Transition to Democratic Rule
Written by: Garrett Halak Sudan has been considered the “coup laboratory” of the world with a history of approximately 15 attempted coups, 10 of which were thwarted. For many, these coups are a part of Sudanese life, and while there existed hope for eventual stability in early 2021, another coup was impending. Throughout January of…
Russia in Africa: A Mission to Replace the West
Written by: Audrey McGrory As negotiations between Russia and NATO have intensified following the heightened risk of Russian invasion into its neighbor and former Soviet republic, Ukraine, Russia’s advancements elsewhere—namely in Africa—are also worth monitoring. In another example of Russia testing the West in their diplomatic capabilities, the country’s movements in Africa are interesting, though…
Sanctions Could be the West’s Best Hope to Stop Russia
Written by: Audrey McGrory From the Polish government’s efforts to diminish the country’s freedom of the press to the Russian government’s blatant influence and obstruction in the nation’s parliamentary election, Western hopes of democracy in Eastern Europe seem increasingly dashed by such recent events, which have occurred in the region’s seemingly collective shift towards the…
Newcastle United’s Blood Money Takeover
Written by: Harry Colvin This past October, English football club Newcastle United was purchased by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, emphasizing an ongoing debate about where the line is drawn between western morals and football success. The funding comes specifically from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, run by Yasir Al Rumayyan, who will become a…
Daniel Ortega Clinches Nicaraguan Presidency in a “Sham” Election on November 7th: Will the Biden Administration’s Sanctions Impact his Reign?
Written by: Elena Cata All eyes have been on Nicaragua in recent weeks as recent presidential campaigns culminated in the general election on November 7th. Unsurprisingly, incumbent Daniel Ortega triumphed and assumed his 4th consecutive term as the country’s president. In the months leading up to the election, Ortega’s attempts to punish dissent and quell…
A New Prime Minister, a New Czech-Chinese Relationship?
Written by: Audrey McGrory Few countries have been as successful in promoting authoritarian ideals abroad as Russia and China. The two nations have framed themselves as rising global superpowers, eager to spread their brand of capitalism, which lies in state control. Bashing western democracies and their capitalistic economic systems, Russia and China have sought to…
Undermining Democracy: Trump versus United States
Written by: William Keenan Donald Trump is no stranger to interfering in democracy and conventional American politics. On the campaign trail, President Trump openly called for the Department of Justice to investigate Democratic nominee Hilary Clinton and for Russia to hack into Democratic National Committee email servers. The latter action resulted in the formation of…
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