In The News

Algerian Protests Continue: Washington Post

Massinissa Benlakehal and Sudarsan Raghavan April 26, 2019
In the weeks since Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s resignation, the country continues to witness widespread upheaval in pursuit of democracy. Algerians expect more than a change in top leadership. “Protesters are more emboldened in seeking a dismissal of the remaining vestiges of the political order that has governed the country since it won independence from France in 1962 – and that...

Growing Protests in Sudan: The Economist

April 25, 2019
What began with tens of thousands of protestors mobilizing against rising food prices in Sudan swelled into a national upheaval calling for the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir. Moreover, in the face of security repression, the civilian protestors may have the support and protection of rank-and-file soldiers, “many of whom count family members among the protesters.” In March, Bashir agreed...

US Sanctions Target Iran Oil Sales: Washington Post

Carol Morello April 23, 2019
Ramping up its pressure against the Iranian regime, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States would go after any country that continues to buy Iranian oil. Nations holding waivers that expire May 1 must comply with this policy as well. The Trump administration shows little desire to provide wiggle room for nations with waivers on Iranian oil imports including China, India,...

Brexit and Europe's 23 May Elections: Guardian

Timothy Garton Ash April 19, 2019
Almost three years have passed since UK voters decided by a close margin to end their country’s membership in the European Union. With so much more known about Brexit consequences, opponents have unsuccessfully pressed political leaders to allow a second referendum. Still, voters have an opportunity to express their wishes through the EU parliamentary elections on 23 May. “So there is now one...

Nationalist Surge Divides India: New York Times

Jeffrey Gettleman, Kai Schultz, Suhasini Raj and Hari Kumar April 19, 2019
Since his ascension to power five years ago, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party have championed Hindu nationalism despite the country’s long history of secularism. In the same election that brought the BJP into power, India’s Muslim minority, which makes up 15 percent of the total population, received record low representation in Parliament. During Modi’s tenure,...

Chinese Investment and Indonesia’s Election: CNBC

Huileng Tan April 16, 2019
Emerging economies throughout Asia initially welcomed Chinese investment, but questions emerge during election campaigns. Indonesians vote on Wednesday, and surveys report 53 percent express favorable views of China. “During his term, President Joko Widodo actively courted Chinese investment to push through large infrastructure projects in the sprawling archipelago that is Indonesia,” reports...

Germany’s AfD and Moscow: Spiegel

April 15, 2019
Governments and researchers try to figure out the appeal of far-right populism and extreme views that resist compromise and cooperation, immigration, education, climate change mitigation and more. It turns out, for Germany, Russia is behind propaganda that has made Alternative for Germany the biggest opposition party in Germanany's Bundestag. Russia's goal: to fracture and weaken the...