In The News

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...

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...

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...

Thai Election: Straits Times

March 26, 2019
With high interest and high stakes associated with elections, political parties no longer patiently await official results. Instead, they turn to fast, global communications to tout victory, criticize results and shape the view of those on election watch. The goal is to weaken opponents, with the consequence of weakening entire nations and democracy. The Straits Times, relying on newswire...

Netanyahu Should Step Down: Economist

March 23, 2019
Recent charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust against Binyamin Netanyahu have drawn the Israeli prime minister into tangled public controversy as opponents and critics call for his resignation. As a recent article for the Economist observes, “Netanyahu refuses to go.” From all indications, he has no intentions to resign and still hopes to be re-elected. He helped engineer an electoral...

Algerian Judges on Presidential Vote: Reuters

Lamine Chikhi March 11, 2019
Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 82, has held office for four terms since 1999 and seeks a fifth despite allegations of fraud in previous votes and his stroke in 2013. “More than 1,000 judges said they would refuse to oversee Algeria’s election next month if President Abdelaziz Bouteflika contests it, in one of the biggest blows to the ailing leader since the start of protests now in...

Post-Brexit Britain as Ruletaker: Financial Times

Philip Stephens March 8, 2019
In supporting Britain’s exit from the European Union, some voters anticipated escaping rules imposed by the European Union. But the British will soon discover that they cannot be rulemakers, explains Philip Stephens for the Financial Times. He recounts criticism about European noise limits on lawnmowers imposed during the 1980s. British complained and investigated the origins of the European...