Russia’s using ‘dark’ tankers to evade Western oil sanctions Jan Stockbruegger - December 7, 2022 Sanctions-busting creates a higher risk of accidents and oil spills, if vessels operate outside global regulations
NATO was founded to protect ‘civilized’ people. That means White. Amoz JY Hor - April 10, 2022 Four historical examples show how much race has always mattered in defining ‘Western civilization’
Russia is about to plunge into financial crisis. How will citizens react? Tom Pepinsky - February 27, 2022 If Putin wants to stop a bank run, he doesn’t have good options
Would China’s move to join this transpacific trade pact push the U.S. to rejoin? It’s complicated. Kristen Hopewell - September 27, 2021 Membership would probably place China firmly at the center of regional and global supply chains.
Fights over marine boundaries are creating safe zones for pirates Brandon Prins, Anup Phayal, and Aaron Gold - August 4, 2021 New research reveals how contested waters have become maritime hot spots
Don’t expect regional organizations to rein in coups Emmanuel Balogun and Aarie Glas - July 13, 2021 Here’s why ASEAN and ECOWAS stumbled after recent coups in Mali and Myanmar.
The Kremlin has a new toolkit for shutting down independent news media Tom Paskhalis, Katerina Tertytchnaya, and Bryn Rosenfeld - June 28, 2021 Worldwide, authoritarians are finding less overt ways to shut down independent news — and independent outlets are finding new ways to stay alive
Two of China’s Belt and Road projects reveal a flaw in the G-7′s new global financing plan Alvin Camba - June 28, 2021 For some countries, megaprojects have political and infrastructure goals
How do you persuade skeptics to get vaccinated? Trust matters more than information. Pauline Jones and Laura Rozek - June 10, 2021 That’s what we found by surveying more than 15 countries in five world regions
15 countries just signed the world’s largest trade pact. The U.S. isn’t one of them. Kristen Hopewell - November 15, 2020 Will the U.S. economy suffer as nations in the Asia-Pacific region get closer?
The State Department says the Chinese Communist Party controls Chinese companies. It’s not that simple. Meg Rithmire - September 7, 2020 State-funded Chinese firms at times actually subvert Beijing’s interests.
The U.S. has dialed up the rhetoric on Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea Todd H. Hall - July 24, 2020 The verbal escalation of this dispute may make it harder to find offramps
Flight MH17 crashed six years ago. Ukrainians have very different views on who’s to blame. Kristin Bakke, John O’Loughlin, and Gerard Toal - July 16, 2020 Russian misinformation may be drowning out factual evidence
Does the global pandemic open new South China Sea opportunities for Beijing? Not really. M. Taylor Fravel - May 7, 2020 China is just continuing its longtime strategy
North Korea’s leader may be in ill health. Here’s what we know about instability in the world’s most secretive regime. Sheena Greitens - April 22, 2020 Is the U.S. well positioned to respond to a potential crisis?
The Amazon isn’t the only forest that’s burning. Can consumer pressure stop the destruction? Nives Dolšak, Christianna Parr, and Aseem Prakash - October 13, 2019 Some certification schemes may just be “greenwashing”
The U.S. Navy and Southeast Asian nations held joint maneuvers for the first time. What are the key takeaways? Hunter Marston - September 12, 2019 Beijing held similar maritime exercises in 2018.
In Hong Kong, are ‘thugs for hire’ behind the attacks on protesters? Here’s what we know about these groups. Lynette H. Ong - July 23, 2019 This type of violence could easily backfire.
Turkey’s ruling party is splintering. Here’s why. Yunus Orhan and John Reuter - July 18, 2019 Defections could be a bigger threat to Erdogan’s rule than the recent election losses
What will Taiwan’s same-sex marriages mean in the rest of Asia? Joseph O'Mahoney and Enze Han - May 24, 2019 It’s likely to inspire activists, but other legislatures have a long way to go.
Beijing is counting on its massive Belt and Road Initiative. But are Chinese firms on board? Xiaojun Li and Ka Zeng - May 14, 2019 Our findings suggest this will be a tough sell.
How autocrats can rig the game and damage democracy Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way - January 4, 2019 Since coming to power in 2010, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor
China just asserted its hold over the South China Sea. Will ASEAN nations push back? Daniel O'Neill - October 15, 2018 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A photo taken April 21, 2017,
What the Trump administration’s confrontational approach misses about China Scott Kastner, Margaret Pearson, and Chad Rector - October 12, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78824" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chinese President Xi Jinping walks past
The Malaysian election results were a surprise. Here are 4 things to know. Sebastian Dettman - May 15, 2018 [caption id="attachment_73348" align="aligncenter" width="960"] At a convenience shop in Kuala
Is Xi Jinping now a ‘leader for life,’ like Mao? Jeremy Wallace - February 27, 2018 Here's why this is dangerous.
President Trump’s solar and washer tariffs may have now opened the floodgates of protectionism Chad Bown - January 23, 2018 Editor’s note: We asked Chad Bown to update his post
The Philippines just extended martial law. How far will Duterte go to stop terrorism? Jessica Trisko Darden - December 14, 2017 [caption id="attachment_67314" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte salutes soldiers
How today’s despots and kleptocrats hide their stolen wealth Jason Sharman and Alex Cooley - November 14, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66191" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Yang Xiuzhu is escorted from a
5 things you need to know about the Rohingya crisis — and how it could roil Southeast Asia Mayesha Alam - September 14, 2017 A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding along the Bangladesh-Burma border. More than 370,000
Trump is a new kind of protectionist — he operates in stealth mode Chad Bown - June 12, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59744" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Chinese factory hatched giant inflatable
Can Trump count on Manila to put pressure on North Korea? 3 points to know. Sheena Greitens - May 16, 2017 [caption id="attachment_58378" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte speaks at
The news media offer slanted coverage of Muslim countries’ treatment of women Rochelle Terman - May 5, 2017 [caption id="attachment_57861" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Muslim women pray upon seeing a
The Gulf states are turning to Asia in a big way. Here’s why it matters. Coates Ulrichsen - April 21, 2017 [caption id="attachment_57067" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Saudi Arabia's King Salman leaves with
We examined more than 1,300 journalist killings between 2002 and 2013. Here’s what we learned. Sabine Carey and Anita Gohdes - March 28, 2017 [caption id="attachment_55987" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A journalist from the Balochistan Union
Why is Saudi Arabia’s king spending a month in Asia? Jonathan Fulton - March 6, 2017 [caption id="attachment_54964" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Saudi Arabia's King Salman appears with
These 5 architectural designs influence every legislature in the world — and tell you how each governs de Lara and der Vegt - March 4, 2017 [caption id="attachment_54901" align="aligncenter" width="1110"] The five typologies of legislative buildings.
Is Trump an authoritarian at heart? It matters less than you think. Thomas Pepinsky - February 10, 2017 [caption id="attachment_53919" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump shakes hands with Attorney
Okay, the Trans-Pacific Partnership is dead. What was it? Vanessa Lide - January 23, 2017 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A container ship loaded with U.S.
Is there still hope for Turkish democracy? Marc Lynch and Kadir Yildirim - December 8, 2016 [caption id="attachment_50791" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan salutes
The U.S. needs a new approach to counterinsurgency. This is what it can learn from El Salvador. Sam Winter-Levy and Nikita Lalwani - December 7, 2016 [caption id="attachment_50556" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Al-Nusra Front fighters in the town
Trump is making China angry. Could China undermine the U.S. in Latin America? Luis Schenoni - December 3, 2016 Many experts suggest that the rhetoric and politics of President-elect
Is China ready to budge on the South China Sea? Here’s why compromise is possible. Eric Hyer - November 16, 2016 [caption id="attachment_49643" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Filipino protesters burn a U.S. flag
Trump and Clinton are both wrong. Trade policy won’t automatically raise U.S. workers’ wages. Adam Dean - September 13, 2016 [caption id="attachment_46141" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) ship
The sky fell on the U.S. poultry industry last year. But NAFTA and the TPP helped protect U.S. exports. Chad Bown - August 30, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45785" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Cage-free chickens forage at an
Peru rejected Keiko Fujimori, but most new democracies vote authoritarian parties back into office. Here’s why. James Loxton - June 16, 2016 [caption id="attachment_42106" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Demonstrators rally against presidential candidate Keiko
Here’s how the U.N. is working to stop terrorists from getting weapons of mass destruction Mark Nance and Bryan Early - May 3, 2016 [caption id="attachment_39928" align="aligncenter" width="2366"] The General Assembly building at United
Here’s why Jakarta doesn’t push back when China barges into Indonesian waters Evan Laksmana - April 28, 2016 [caption id="attachment_39806" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A ship from the China Coast
Hey, China, this is why democracies beat autocracies in a fight. (So back off the South China Sea.) Erik Gartzke, Christopher Fariss, and Benjamin Graham - December 15, 2015 [caption id="attachment_33491" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Chinese President Xi Jinping and President
Why China’s role in Africa isn’t as dominant as you think Jake Bright and Aubrey Hruby - December 4, 2015 [caption id="attachment_33123" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Chinese President Xi Jinping walks with
50 years ago today, American diplomats endorsed mass killings in Indonesia Kai Thaler - December 2, 2015 Here's what that means in 2015.
The Middle East and East Asia: A tale of two economic trajectories Etel Solingen - August 11, 2015 [caption id="attachment_28383" align="aligncenter" width="908"] People wait in line to buy
Who cares how the U.S. ranks nations’ efforts on human trafficking? Erik Voeten - July 28, 2015 [caption id="attachment_27918" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Country ratings in 2015 Trafficking in
Who cares how the U.S. ranks nations' efforts on human trafficking? Erik Voeten - July 28, 2015 [caption id="attachment_27918" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Country ratings in 2015 Trafficking in
Are Muslim countries really unreceptive to religious freedom? Daniel Philpott - July 10, 2015 [caption id="attachment_27253" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] In this Friday, Dec. 28,
What history says about the prospects for Islamic democracy John Owen - June 3, 2015 [caption id="attachment_25639" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="align center "] A view of
Why the Rohingya will continue to flee Myanmar, even if we try to deter them Rebecca Hamlin - May 28, 2015 [caption id="attachment_25439" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Asylum seekers from Myanmar wait to
The Islamic State as an ordinary insurgency Reyko Huang - May 14, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24819" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] A flag of the Islamic
Executive election rules in dictatorships matter. Here’s why. Tyson Roberts - May 12, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24680" align="aligncenter" width="640"] President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon
Why is terror Islamist? Steven Fish - January 27, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20587" align="alignnone" width="620"] This image made from a video
Turkish women's rights beyond Islamists and secularists - December 10, 2014 [caption id="attachment_18902" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A woman shouts through a megaphone
Turkish women’s rights beyond Islamists and secularists Yüksel Sezgin - December 10, 2014 [caption id="attachment_18902" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A woman shouts through a megaphone
Islamists and their charities Marc Lynch - October 15, 2014 [caption id="attachment_16814" align="aligncenter" width="620"] The Islamic Medical Association's Central Charity
Why arming Ukraine is a bad idea Kimberly Marten - August 7, 2014 [caption id="attachment_14187" align="alignnone" width="620"] An armed pro-Russian separatist stands in
What do citizens of Ukraine actually think about secession? Ivan Katchanovski - July 20, 2014 [caption id="attachment_13232" align="alignnone" width="620"] Pro-Russian separatists stand guard at the
Will the Malaysia Airlines tragedy change the trajectory of events in Ukraine? Oxana Shevel - July 18, 2014 [caption id="attachment_13189" align="alignnone" width="620"] People light candles in front of
Was the downing of the Malaysian Air flight accidental? Austin Long - July 18, 2014 [caption id="attachment_13120" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Debris of the Boeing 777, Malaysia
How oil helps dictatorships survive Joseph Wright, Erica Frantz, and Barbara Geddes - June 17, 2014 Thai military secure a bridge adjacent to the Bangkok sky
What the search for Flight MH370 tells us about national security in Asia Jessica Trisko Darden - March 18, 2014 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special="------EDITORS NOTE ------ RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL
Where are the flawed elections? Erik Voeten - February 26, 2014 Pippa Norris is the McGuire Lecturer in Comparative Politics at the John
Privacy in Muslim constitutions and Karzai's refusal to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement Erik Voeten - January 2, 2014 Corri Zoli is an assistant research professor at the Institute
The TPP is not an agreement among like-minded countries Henry Farrell - December 12, 2013 This is another post from Gabriel Michael, a doctoral candidate
The United States is isolated in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations Henry Farrell - November 18, 2013 Here's another, more quantitative perspective on the Trans Pacific Partnership
Australia's 2013 election: A divided left and a step to the right Joshua Tucker - September 26, 2013 The following is a post-election report on the 2013 Australian
Post-Election Report 2013 Malaysian Election: Part II Joshua Tucker - May 13, 2013 We are pleased to continue our series of Election Reports with the
Malaysian Elections Post-Election Report: Part I Joshua Tucker - May 8, 2013 We are pleased to continue our series of Election Reports with
What do legislatures in authoritarian regimes do? Joshua Tucker - December 14, 2012 No, this post is not going to feature another picture
Conceding and Thriving: Strong-State Democratization in Asia Joshua Tucker - June 26, 2012 Continuing our on going partnership with the Comparative Democratization Section
Just What is Iran? Joshua Tucker - June 12, 2009 As Iranians head to the polls today for presidential elections