Iran’s security forces have little incentive to ease up on protesters
Will forces remain loyal to the regime? That might depend on their business networks.
Today is International Day of Peace. Can you measure what peace is?
One way is to see whether people feel safe going about their daily lives, the Everyday Peace Indicators project finds
Sudan’s leader says the military will step aside. That’s not likely.
Eight months after Sudan’s military coup, what happens now?
Brittney Griner was ‘wrongfully detained.’ What happens now?
The State Department announcement gives the U.S. government ways to negotiate for the release of the WNBA star
Worried about the state of democracy? Here are some reasons to be optimistic instead.
These factors help countries return to democracy after an authoritarian spell, our research finds
Would Americans ever support a coup? 40 percent now say yes.
That percentage jumped significantly since 2017 and includes more than half the Republicans we surveyed.
Don’t expect regional organizations to rein in coups
Here’s why ASEAN and ECOWAS stumbled after recent coups in Mali and Myanmar.
Belarus forced down a plane because it couldn’t shut down an app
Telegram became a cornerstone of last summer’s anti-government protests
Thai protesters don’t like what the king and government are doing. Can they make them change?
Yes, citizens can hold even unelected leaders accountable
Facebook’s Oversight Board upheld the ban on Trump, but it didn’t like how Facebook banned him
The board wants Facebook to revisit its decision in six months and create more consistent rules
President Biden is hosting Japan’s prime minister in D.C. It’s a big deal for Japan — and the U.S.
They’ll discuss new ways to cooperate, as well as unfinished business from the Trump years
The Biden administration is planning for climate migration. Do Americans support helping climate migrants?
Here’s what our research finds
Something’s happening in Armenia. But is it a coup?
In fact, coups are rare in post-Soviet countries
Rumors are flying that China is behind the coup in Myanmar. That’s almost certainly wrong.
But if the Myanmar crisis turns into a great power confrontation, China might back the generals.
Myanmar’s protesters include shirtless bodybuilders and beauty queens in tiaras. Why?
Young protesters are using gender as a weapon to mock and shame the military dictatorship
The International Criminal Court just elected a new chief prosecutor. Here’s what you need to know.
The ICC’s future will rest on the new prosecutor’s success in opening, trying and closing cases — and being fair
Myanmar’s military has a history of using deceptive tactics against protesters. Now it has social media, too.
Military agents may be infiltrating online groups to sow distrust.
Myanmar’s military distrusts the country’s ruling party. That’s why it staged a coup and detained leaders and activists.
The military thought it could share power. When relations broke down, it seized control.
Mike Pompeo accused China of committing ‘genocide,’ an international crime. Biden’s team agrees.
This probably won’t lead to prosecutions but it will hurt China in the court of public opinion
In dozens of countries, governments rely on Internet shutdowns to hide repression
Social media rhetoric from politicians, citizens and others helped influence political moves
15 countries just signed the world’s largest trade pact. The U.S. isn’t one of them.
Will the U.S. economy suffer as nations in the Asia-Pacific region get closer?
A covid-19 vaccine might be tough to distribute in countries at war
Misinformation is just one of the challenges
Presidents who threaten election violence lose votes
What can research on Africa tell us about the U.S.?
Do U.S. policing programs help boost the militarization of foreign police forces?
Joint police/military training is a feature of some U.S.-funded programs.
In India, Hindus, Muslims and police are fighting in the streets. Here’s what’s behind the violence.
They’re battling over the new citizenship law.
Mike Pompeo criticized China for not respecting its neighbors’ territorial integrity. What’s the story?
Here’s how Beijing has resolved territorial disputes
The Trump administration approved the U.S. use of land mines. That’s a step back for global campaigns to ban their deployment.
It isn’t clear whether land mines offer any military advantages
The U.N.’s top court ordered Myanmar to protect the Rohingya. Here’s how that could matter.
The ruling was a significant defeat for Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s president and a former human rights icon
This tiny African country got the U.N.’s top court to investigate Myanmar for genocide
Why would Gambia step up for the Muslim minority Rohingya thousands of miles away?
India’s new law may leave millions of Muslims without citizenship
Modi’s government is trying to create a Hindu nation.
The U.N. passed a Russia-backed cybercrime resolution. That’s not good news for Internet freedom.
Moscow is becoming far more skilled in advancing its agenda at the United Nations.
Trump once talked of a ‘beautiful safe zone’ in Syria. But safe zones aren’t actually safe.
They can escalate conflicts, research shows.
Here’s why raising gas prices leads to violent protests like Ecuador’s
Citizens are more likely to support such changes when they trust the government, we found
Six things we’ve learned about terrorism since 9/11
There’s been a lot of research in the past 18 years. Here’s what we know.
Humanitarian aid in Syria is being politicized — and too many civilians in need aren’t getting it
When the government controls the aid, it gets used for political gain.
What will Taiwan’s same-sex marriages mean in the rest of Asia?
It’s likely to inspire activists, but other legislatures have a long way to go.
In India, the world’s largest election has started. Keep an eye on these 5 things.
Prime Minister Modi is popular, but has he made economic progress?
Democracy matters for health care. Here’s how we measured this.
The effects are greatest for chronic diseases.
Here’s how perpetrators of crimes in Syria are being prosecuted
It’s only the beginning of a long road to justice and accountability.
Why China takes a middle-of-the-road policy toward North Korea
Beijing avoids conflicts on China’s doorstep.
Would it be ethical for the U.N. refugee agency to send Rohingya back to Myanmar?
[caption id="attachment_81619" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Rohingya refugees shout slogans against repatriation
China just asserted its hold over the South China Sea. Will ASEAN nations push back?
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A photo taken April 21, 2017,
Politicians blame refugees for violence. But refugees are more likely to be its victims.
[caption id="attachment_77948" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Newly displaced Syrian children arrive at
The U.S. isn’t being very neighborly. Here’s what it means for Canada’s foreign policy.
[caption id="attachment_75194" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump meets with Canadian Prime
How nationalism can actually help democracies
[caption id="attachment_72674" align="aligncenter" width="960"] French President Emmanuel Macron speaks at the
A new U.S. policy makes it (somewhat) easier to export drones
[caption id="attachment_72517" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump holds a chart highlighting
How flawed constitutions undermine democracy
[caption id="attachment_69689" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A replica of the Liberty Bell stands
How the Rohingya crisis is affecting Bangladesh — and why it matters
[caption id="attachment_69135" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Rohingya child at the Kutupalong refugee camp
5 reasons the U.N. Security Council should care about the Burmese military’s sexual assaults on the Rohingya
Burma’s ethnic cleansing campaign against Rohingya Muslims has been rife
Is democracy in a worldwide decline? Nope. Here’s our data.
[caption id="attachment_66295" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] (Haraz N. Ghanbari/AP)[/caption] What is the
Why is Burma driving out the Rohingya — and not its other despised minorities?
Why is Burma attacking only the Rohingya? As the Burmese military drives out upward
When democracies are under attack, it’s time to rein in executive power
[caption id="attachment_52816" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In December 2016, Ryszard Petru, center,
There’s a massive humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh’s Rohingya refugee camps
[caption id="attachment_64732" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Rohingya refugees describe Myanmar’s military as
5 things you need to know about the Rohingya crisis — and how it could roil Southeast Asia
A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding along the Bangladesh-Burma border. More than 370,000
Within 7 years, refugees are self-sufficient and contributing to the U.S., on average
On June 20, World Refugee Day, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney
Can Trump count on Manila to put pressure on North Korea? 3 points to know.
[caption id="attachment_58378" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte speaks at
Is Trump an authoritarian at heart? It matters less than you think.
[caption id="attachment_53919" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump shakes hands with Attorney
The U.S. was ripe for a women’s protest. And more are likely.
This is the third post in our series on what social
After a professor’s op-ed went viral, this is what happened next
[caption id="attachment_39220" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Opponents of House Bill 2 protest
The number of countries with female political leaders has plummeted
[caption id="attachment_49686" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Hillary Clinton makes a concession speech
King Bhumibol of Thailand’s real legacy: remarkable political legitimacy
[caption id="attachment_48253" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Thailand's flag flies at half staff
A presidential candidate can’t threaten to imprison his opponent if he wants to live in a democracy
In the aftermath of the second U.S. presidential debate on
Why Thailand just voted on another constitution — and why this matters to democracies elsewhere
[caption id="attachment_45033" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Thai taxi motorbike rider holds
People think that economic sanctions hurt Putin and helped undermine apartheid in South Africa. They’re wrong.
[caption id="attachment_39938" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Russia's Bank Rossiya has been targeted
Yes, Benedict Anderson was a political scientist
[caption id="attachment_33809" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Benedict "Ben" Anderson pictured with the
Four developments to watch after Burma’s historic elections
[caption id="attachment_32445" align="aligncenter" width="1632"] Voters wait in line at a
Democracy promotion is failing. Here’s why.
[caption id="attachment_31911" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Opposition politician Aung San Suu Kyi,
Burma votes on Sunday. Why do authoritarian governments even hold elections?
[caption id="attachment_31900" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Supporters of the Union Solidarity and
A new project wants to forecast mass killings before they happen. Here’s how.
[caption id="attachment_27291" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A Muslim woman visits the Potocari
A new project wants to forecast mass killings before they happen. Here's how.
[caption id="attachment_27291" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A Muslim woman visits the Potocari
Migrant or refugee? That shouldn’t be a life or death question.
[caption id="attachment_29090" align="aligncenter" width="4651"] Refugees walk through a field after
Migrant or refugee? That shouldn't be a life or death question.
[caption id="attachment_29090" align="aligncenter" width="4651"] Refugees walk through a field after
Reexamining ballots and bullets
[caption id="attachment_28455" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="align center "] Burundi military and
Do-gooders, do no harm: What are the best — and worst — ways to help those mired in international conflicts?
[caption id="attachment_27514" align="aligncenter" width="908"] In this photo taken Friday, June
Is the International Criminal Court really targeting black men?
[caption id="attachment_26085" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir (C) arrives
Why the Rohingya will continue to flee Myanmar, even if we try to deter them
[caption id="attachment_25439" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Asylum seekers from Myanmar wait to
How (il)liberal states promote democracy and autocracy
We usually portray the United States (U.S.) and the European
Why is terror Islamist?
[caption id="attachment_20587" align="alignnone" width="620"] This image made from a video
Read and explore the world’s constitutions at this Web site
223 years ago today, the American public woke up to
Read and explore the world's constitutions at this Web site
223 years ago today, the American public woke up to
Hot pursuit in Syria and in history
[caption id="attachment_16272" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Pancho Villa (Smithsonian)[/caption] Secretary of State
(In)discriminate language on Gaza
[caption id="attachment_14177" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Two women hold placards reading "Stop
Are conflicts over citizenship inevitable in Africa?
This is the fourth installment of TMC’s African Politics Summer Reading
Is ranking failed or fragile states a futile business?
[caption id="attachment_12909" align="aligncenter" width="648"] The Fragile State Index 2014, Fund
Can ISIS overcome the insurgency resource curse?
[caption id="attachment_12548" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A file picture dated March 11,
Dictators lie about economic growth
[caption id="attachment_12343" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Pedestrians walk past a mall in
Why Egypt's new constitution may not turn out as badly as you think
[caption id="attachment_5425" align="aligncenter" width="600" special=""] A man holds a poster
The Failure of Plan B
After the House Republicans punted on legislation to extend the
Cracking Down
In December I published an article in Comparative Political Studies
Potpourri
* "Philip Arena's blog":http://fparena.blogspot.com/. Emphasis on international relations and conflict.
Libya and the UN Human Rights Council
Yesterday, Libya and several other countries with dreadful human rights
2010 Sri Lankan Presidential Election: Post-Election Report
In our "continuing series of election reports":https://themonkeycage.org/election_reports/, we are pleased
Think Again: The UN Human Rights Council
Henry Farrell and Eric Posner have been sparring over international