In The News

Nigeria's Buhari Wins Reelection: AFP

Emmanuel Akinwotu, Ola Awoniyi and Chris Stein February 27, 2019
After a delayed election, Nigeria reelected Muhammadu Buhari, 76, as president. “The former military ruler was first elected as civilian president of Africa’s most populous nation and leading oil producer in 2015,” reports Agence France-Presse. At that time, he was also the first opposition candidate in Nigeria to defeat an incumbent. “To win the presidency, a candidate needs a majority of votes...

Showdown Over Aid for Venezuela: New York Times

Nicholas Casey, Anatoly Kurmanaev and Ernesto Londoño February 23, 2019
Venezuelans have suffered for years from shortages of food and other necessities due to economic mismanagement by the regime led by Nicolás Maduro since 2013. More than 10 percent of the country’s population has already fled, the violence exacerbating a refugee crisis International aid supplies are waiting near the border in Brazil and Colombia. Opposition leader and head of the country’s...

Brexit Hell: The Atlantic

Yasmeen Serhan February 14, 2019
Britons cast their fateful votes two and a half years ago, narrowly deciding in favor of withdrawing from the European Union. What followed has been a string of broken promises, failed agreements, no-confidence votes and cabinet resignations. Prime Minister Theresa May has defied tradition by clinging to her position despite no-confidence votes from the opposition and her own party. She keeps the...

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...

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...

Al Jazeera: US Interference Denounced in Venezuela

January 25, 2019
The world is dividing into the usual camps over Venezuela’s president. The United States, Canada and Brazil suggest the election was flawed and Juan Guaido, who leads Congress, should serve as interim president until another election as dictated by the constitution. China, Russia and Turkey support incumbent dictator Nicolas Maduro who presides over an economy in shambles, and Venezuela's...

Reuters: Guaido Claims Venezuela’s Presidency

Mayela Armas, Angus Berwick and Corina Pons January 24, 2019
Venezuela’s Juan Guaido, head of the opposition-run Congress, declared himself as interim president soon after the United States, Brazil, Colombia, Canada and Costa Rica granted him formal recognition. Nicolas Maduro claimed to start his second term on January 10 following what many described as a corrupt election. Maduro quickly described the situation as a coup and broke relations with the...