In The News

Threats to Israel’s Democracy: Vox

Zack Beauchamp April 11, 2019
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold office for a record fifth term. “The consequences of his victory for both Israelis and Palestinians could very well be catastrophic,” writes Zack Beauchamp for Vox. “The past several years of Netanyahu’s time in office have been characterized by drift in two illiberal, anti-democratic directions.” Israeli voters embrace far-right hard-line stances, with...

Protests’ Comeback in the Arab World: Economist

April 9, 2019
Recent protests in Algeria and Sudan have brought popular images of the so-called 2011 Arab Spring back to the fore – yet with a stark difference. As an article for the Economist observes, “The wars and chaos that followed the Arab spring have cooled the ardour of activists and their regional patrons …. [and] autocrats have sharpened their tools of repression in order to quash protests at home...

War Has Broken Yemen: Guardian

Hisham Al-Omeisy April 9, 2019
The war in Yemen, which has entered its fifth year, has contributed to a growing humanitarian crisis alongside the hostilities between pro-government and Saudi-led forces and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. A third group “seeking to re-establish an independent southern state” is allied with the pro-government side. As Hisham Al-Omeisy notes for the Guardian, nearly 80 percent of the country’s...

North Korea’s Changing Propaganda Style: Economist

April 9, 2019
North Korea’s state press coverage, historically fixed in its language and form, is showing hints of cosmetic change. A year ago, North Korea’s media outlets chastised the United States as “evil imperialists,” while recent months have witnessed the state’s media arm take a softer tone in coverage of foreign affairs. As a recent article for the Economist notes, “Apart from a rebuke of ‘gangster-...

West Bank on Ballot: New York Times

David M. Halbfinger April 8, 2019
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a last-minute campaign promise of extending sovereignty over the West Bank. Thus, voters in Israel have a clear choice, explains David M. Halbfinger for the New York Times: Do they want permanent control over the West Bank and 2.6 million Palestinians, continuing antagonism, or do they support genuine negotiations working toward a Palestinian...

European Populism Out of Steam? Times of India

Nayan Chanda April 6, 2019
Populist stances in Europe are attracting less of a following. During the 33 months after a narrow vote, more details about the costs and broken promises of Brexit have emerged. The British confront several options that come down to two choices – leaving with no deal or admitting the proposition was foolhardy while trying to patch together some deal that maintains good ties and trade with the...

Brexit Wreckers: New Statesman

Stephen Bush April 5, 2019
The United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community in 1973 and the complex political and economic structures have integrated and grown together since. The UK’s exit from the European Union is no easy task, with polarization and no clear majority on how to proceed. The best approach for all involved is a unified one that transcends usual politics. Prime Minister Theresa May has “...