Most Popular

China’s Leaders Obsessed With Secrecy

February 20, 2020
When problems emerge, the instinct for China’s leaders is to shut down reporting. After detecting multiple cases that resembled SARS, Wuhan physician Li Wenliang sent a WeChat message to medical school alumni in late December. Local authorities wasted valuable time by targeting Li, pressuring him...

US Adults Worry About Global Regard for Their Nation

December 12, 2017
Global challenges – including North Korea’s nuclear ambitions or climate change – require global leadership and partners. US citizens express less confidence in their government to lead global partnerships, with near 70 percent suggesting that the country is less respected by others, according to...

Popular Culture and Putin’s Legitimacy

July 24, 2018
Popular culture reflects and shapes political opinion – and leaders harness music, communications and sports to legitimize their programs and shape attitudes. Vladimir Putin has demonstrated “impressive ability to adapt and capture existing symbolic reservoirs” by understanding the “cultural habits...

Volatility Returns to the Global Economy

February 8, 2018
The world economy steadily climbed to new heights, recovering after the 2007-2008 debt crisis, and central banks are stepping back programs that pumped liquidity into the markets. A dramatic decline in the US stock market may be a routine correction or signal new volatility for the world's...

Understanding the Macron Phenomenon

June 20, 2017
Emmanuel Macron won a solid victory in France’s two rounds of legislative elections, albeit with a low turnout that could signal either trust in the new president’s policies or weariness after multiple rounds of elections. “Macron’s overt objective in running for the presidency was to destroy a two...

Trump-Trọng Summit Remains in Limbo

January 2, 2020
China continues aggressive moves in the South China Sea, extending into the exclusive economic zones of other nations. “A planned meeting between presidents Donald Trump and Nguyễn Phú Trọng could be pivotal for a strategic partnership, but is unlikely to happen any time soon,” explains Nguyen...

Arab Spring Success Story: Tunisians Vote

September 12, 2019
Tunisia was the birthplace of the Arab Spring in December 2011 after police humiliated Mohamed Bouazizi, confiscating his vegetable cart, and the vendor set himself on fire. The protests and challenges to corrupt and autocratic leaders spread to Egypt, Libya and Syria, but only Tunisia has...

Democracy for Hong Kong and Taiwan

September 26, 2019
China confronts a dilemma on governance for Hong Kong. “One conclusion being mooted through think tanks in Beijing and Taipei is that the most pragmatic way forward is for China to be confident and counterintuitive enough to grant Hong Kong full democracy,” explains Asia specialist Humphrey...
More..