In The News

The Far Right and Women’s Rights: Independent

Maya Oppenheim May 15, 2019
Voters select candidates for many reasons including economic and security issues. Women make up the majority of registered voters in many nations, yet large numbers support candidates who display misogynistic streaks. Far-right candidates are gaining traction. “From the parliamentary gains of far-right populist parties in Europe to those authoritarian demagogues that have gained power at the...

South Africa Election: BBC

May 10, 2019
South African voters headed to the polls. The governing African National Congress leads with about half the votes counted. “Analysts say that if the ANC vote remains above 55%, it will enable President Ramaphosa to strengthen his grip on the party,” reports BBC News. “Votes are cast for parties, with seats in the 400-member National Assembly allocated according to the share of the vote gained by...

Social Media Politics: Project Syndicate

Shashi Tharoor May 1, 2019
India’s election concludes May 19 and social media could sway voters. With voters increasingly reading and sharing news on social media sties, candidates take no chance and participate. “While perhaps a bit more than a third of India’s population, and perhaps above 40% of its voters, use social media, there are no reliable studies of how frequently they use it for political news and views,”...

Harris Questions Barr on Mueller Report: SFGate

Filipa Ioannou May 1, 2019
Senator Kamala Harris grilled William Barr, US attorney general, during the Senate Judiciary Committee about the Mueller report. Barr could not decisively answer yes or no if anyone at the White House had suggested he open an investigation into anyone. He admitted having discussions with White House staff about “matters out there” and used a series of negatives, suggesting those at the White...

Ukraine’s New President: Washington Post

Konstantin Ash and Miroslav Shapovalov May 1, 2019
Comedian and actor Volodymyr Zelensky won Ukraine’s presidential election in a landslide, with some crediting his role as a fictional president in the television show “Servant of the People.” Zelensky's pattern of support upended a divide in place over the past 20 years. “Analysts often depict Ukraine’s politics as a constant struggle between a pro-European West and pro-Russian East,”...

Why Venezuela Matters: New York Times

Megan Specia April 30, 2019
Maduro has presided over Venezuela's corrupt and mismanaged government since 2013, with violence, hunger and hyperinflation. Maduro refuses to engage in peaceful transfer of power. Venezuela, with ample oil supplies, should be among the world’s wealthiest nations. Yet 30 million citizens must contend with unreliable food, electricity, medicine and other basic supplies. Maduro curtailed power...

Ethiopia’s Media, Ethnic Tensions: Washington Post

Paul Schemm April 28, 2019
Ethiopia is undergoing tremendous transformation as the newly installed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed pushes for broad free speech rights. This has led to a resurgence of a free press and outspoken journalists. The country, only recently embarking on its journey to mend ethnic conflicts and land disputes, faces a dilemma between social stability and free speech protection. Ethiopia will hold an...