In The News

Nigerian Election to Watch: Syndication Bureau

Simon Allison February 12, 2019
Nigerians vote in a general election on February 16. “Doubts have already been raised about the election’s credibility, especially after President Muhammadu Buhari – who is running for reelection – unexpectedly suspended the country’s chief justice last month,” reports Simon Allison for Syndication Bureau, adding the chief justice rules on any election complaints. “Whoever wins will find...

Chaos and US Standing: Times of India

Nayan Chanda February 11, 2019
Donald Trump blasted policies of his predecessors as foolish. Yet the president fuels uncertainty by abruptly changing longstanding policies and obsessing on quick fixes, ranging from support for a coal industry and rejection of climate change as a threat to blaming illegal immigration for crime and supporting a border wall. The president carried through on a threat to shut down the US federal...

Ireland, Brexit and Opportunity: Conversation

Liam Kennedy February 7, 2019
Citizens and businesses of the Republic of Ireland have prospered with EU membership since 1973. Ireland embraced globalization, and the Irish, unlike a vocal group in Britain, do not express resentment about European goals and integration. Instead, EU membership improved Ireland’s relations with Britain, reducing dependency. “Even as it responds daily to the manifold challenges Brexit poses, the...

Foreign Policy: Trump’s State of the Union

Robbie Gramer and Amy Mackinnon February 6, 2019
In his state of the union address, Donald Trump quickly reviewed foreign policies. Trade talks with China are underway, and the president described previous deals as “calamitous.” He focused on southern border security and need for a wall although undocumented immigrants in the US are at low levels. He plans a second summit with North Korea’s dictator, claiming these talks prevent war – even...

BBC: UK Ready for No-Deal Brexit?

Chris Morris February 1, 2019
The United Kingdom, as an EU member, shares four decades of laws on trade, immigration, finance, health and safety, and more. If the EU and the UK part ways with no deal or extension for the negotiations and if the UK does not prepare replacement laws, that could pose uncertainty and serious disruption in most policy areas, reports Chris Morris for the BBC news. The report outlines progress on...

Washington Post: Fight in Venezuela

Mariana Zuñiga, Anthony Faiola and Rachelle Krygier January 31, 2019
In an attempt at a temporary cooling-off, Caracas and Washington agreed to hit pause for 30 days before repatriating each other’s diplomats as leaders of the two countries butt heads on the state of democracy and electoral integrity in Venezuela. After President Donald Trump recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó, European allies like Germany, France and the UK issued an eight-day ultimatum,...

El País: Globalization of Polarization

Moisés Naím January 28, 2019
Some political camps reject their opponents’ plans so much – even those supported by hefty majorities of citizens – that they refuse any cooperation, preferring shutdowns and chaos. Such is the case in the United States, Great Britain and numerous other democracies. The angry stubbornness associated with polarization is spreading worldwide, weakening most democracies. “Before, democratic...