In The News

Capitalist Democracy’s Left-Behinds Challenge the System

Humphrey Hawksley August 2, 2016
Democracy appears to be malfunctioning in a fast-paced world. “The concept of the Western-style democratic system is that an accountable government funded by revenue from the market will distribute wealth thus creating a stable society,” writes journalist Humphrey Hawksley, who points out large number of citizens, many uneducated, are convinced that democratic systems are rigged by wealthy and...

In Humayun Khan and His Family, A Complex Portrait of Patriotism

AJ Willingham August 1, 2016
US Army Captain Humayun Khan, 27, the son of Pakistani immigrants, died in service of his country in Iraq. Twelve years later, Khizr Khan, spoke at the Democratic National Convention in support of candidate Hillary Clinton. The father’s speech, a powerful testament to American values, criticized Donald Trump and resonated in the convention hall and beyond, demonstrating the ability of US citizens...

WikiLeaks Has Officially Lost the Moral High Ground

Emma Grey Ellis July 29, 2016
WikiLeaks is releasing sensitive documents – including emails from the Democratic National Committee in the United States and those of the Turkish prime minister – without ample vetting: “lately the timing of and tone surrounding their leaks have felt a little off,” comments Emma Grey Ellis for Wired. “If they’re not scrutinizing their own leaks on the base level of their content, it’s not hard...

Brexit Blues in Central Europe

Joji Sakurai July 28, 2016
Europe's opponents of immigration may be triumphant about Brexit, but the crowing won’t last long in countries that depend on the European Union for technical advice, aid, trade and foreign investment that allowed them to outperform the European Union as a whole. “To hear the rhetoric, one might assume that ‘Huxit’ or ‘Czexit’ – departures by Hungary or the Czech Republic – may be around the...

Trump Sets Conditions for Defending NATO Allies

David E. Sanger and Maggie Haberman July 22, 2016
The Republican nominee for US president set off alarm bells in Europe by suggesting he might not quickly aid Baltic States against a Russian attack. Defense might depend whether they “have fulfilled their obligations to us,” Donald Trump said in an interview with the New York Times. “During a 45-minute conversation, Mr. Trump re-emphasized the hard-line nationalist approach that has marked his...

Globalization With Asian Characteristics

Chietigj Bajpaee July 22, 2016
As Britain elected to end membership with the European Union, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank held its first annual meeting – a juxtaposition that is “an indicator of the changing dynamics of globalization,” suggests policy analyst Chietigj Bajpaee for the Diplomat. Populist and protectionist stances, once regarded as extreme, are now mainstream in Europe and the United States. Western...

A Coup Is Foiled in Turkey, What Next?

Marc Grossman July 19, 2016
A harsh response after a failed attempted coup in a divided Turkey leaves many allies and neighbors questioning if the government can commit to pluralism, easing political divisions while battling extremism. Turkish security requires commitment in the fight against ISIS, with no accommodation, and domestic policies that promote tolerance and the rule of law, explains Marc Grossman, a vice...