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Geopolitics Ideas

Europeans, Vote! A Lesson In Democracy From My Non-Political Nonna

As citizens across the EU prepare to elect a new parliament, Italian author Viola Ardone remembers her late grandmother who, despite an elementary education and lack of political interest, never missed an election.

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Economy

Rishi Sunak’s Snap Election: Surrender Or One Last Trick Up His Sleeve?

Britain’s prime minister has announced a surprise decision to hold a general election six months early, on July 4.

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Geopolitics Ideas

Tahrir Square To UCLA: How Crackdowns On Popular Protests Can Backfire

The context and scale are different, but there are common methods in the suppression of demonstrations in the Arab Spring in 2011 and crackdowns against pro-Palestinian groups on university campuses in the U.S. Will President Biden, like Hosni Mubarak 13 years ago, lose power as a result?

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This Happened

This Happened — April 27: South Africa’s First Democratic Election

Updated April 27, 2024 at 12:45 p.m. South African citizens of all races were allowed to vote in a general election for the first time on April 27, 1994. This was the first democratic election in South Africa after the end of the apartheid system. How did apartheid end in South Africa? The end of […]

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Geopolitics

Charisma Or Cult? Modi’s Fading Appeal Leaves Indian Elections Wide Open

As a jaded and faded minister over-stretches himself, the BJP can see the election is far from being a done deal.

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Geopolitics

Shia Cleric Or Revolutionary Guards? How Khamenei Succession Will Play Out Inside Iran

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, now 84, has been in power since 1989. What will happen when he dies? His death may lead to a hybrid military-Islamic regime, with members of the Revolutionary Guards imposing a more pragmatic yet equally corrupt regime. It is time for the opposition to find a unified leader they can rally behind and that can help mobilize Iranians in the transition.

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Geopolitics

A Vote At 16? Experiments With Lowering The Voting Age Around The World

As Poland considers lowering the voting age to 16, what can other countries’ experiences with reducing the voting age teach us about political trends and ralling young constituents?

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Geopolitics

Modi, India’s Influencer-In-Chief: A Reelection Campaign Designed Solely For Social Media

In the run-up to India’s general elections this spring, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been showcasing his adventures in social media posts, his preferred method of communication, saturating the digital landscape of a highly connected country — and avoiding hard questions from the press.

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Geopolitics

Lula vs. Bolsonaro, Brazil Has Its Own Dark Sequel Brewing

Uncertain economic conditions and divisive posturing in favor of the Global South may send Brazilian President Lula da Silva’s middle class voters back to the Right, where his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro is maneuvering between criminal charges and a return to the presidency.

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Eyes on the U.S. Geopolitics

The Biden-Trump Rematch, European Nightmares And Macron’s “Cowardice” Warning

After Super Tuesday, Americans (and the world) are now virtually assured of another Biden-Trump showdown in November. It’s a chilling reminder to Europe that their fate is tied too closely to the whims of U.S. politics.

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Geopolitics Ideas

Maduro’s Venezuela, From Degraded Democracy To Crypto Dictatorship

In keeping with the pseudo-democratic style of certain autocracies of our time, Venezuela’s leftist ruler is not averse to holding a general election, to be held when he says and once he has the results readied in advance.

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Geopolitics

What Indonesia’s Election Means For Democracy — And The U.S.-China Duel

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto is expected to win Indonesia’s presidential election, on Feb. 14. Yet concerns about democracy are on the rise, as the nation carefully balances ties with Beijing and Washington.

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Geopolitics

Trump Has A Big Mouth, And Europe Should Believe Every Word He Says

Donald Trump’s recent campaign remarks have escalated concerns in Europe as he questioned the credibility of NATO’s collective defense and went as far as encouraging Russia to act freely.

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Geopolitics

Maduro Makes A Mockery Of Democracy — And Latin America’s Left Goes Along For The Ride

With a sham court ruling, Venezuela’s President Maduro has paved the way for his unchallenged reelection as president this year, regardless of U.S. sanctions. This is happening as Latin America’s leftist governments, notably Brazil, watch in silence.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Will Biden v. Trump Be All About Ukraine? It’s Already Begun

With U.S. elections slated for November, support to Ukraine is becoming a divisive electoral issue. Wednesday’s vote in the U.S. Senate over Ukraine aid will be telling, but it won’t end there.

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Russia-Ukraine War

“Rossia,” Putin’s Whitewashed HQ For An Epic Non-Campaign For Reelection

Vladimir Putin is not campaigning for the March 17 presidential election, but his message is on display at the vast “Rossia” exhibition in Moscow, which aims “to show Russians their modern Russia, a country they can be proud of.”

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Geopolitics Ideas

How Democracy Slips Into Dictatorship — A Warning From The Turkish Playbook

As nearly half of the world prepares to vote in elections this year, Turkish journalist and author Ece Temelkuran warns, in the Istanbul-based weekly Oksijen, that many countries are following Turkey’s path from democracy to dictatorship.

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Society

El Salvador Elections: Nayib Bukele Set To Ride Security-At-All-Costs To Second Term

The incumbent has achieved enormous popularity with his state of emergency ironclad rule, which has largely curbed gang violence

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Russian Opposition: How Yekaterina Duntsova Can Take On Putin Without An Election

A former journalist and city councilor, Yekaterina Duntsova, 40, has suddenly gained surprising popularity among Russians opposed to Vladimir Putin and its offensive in Ukraine. She explains why barring her from the March presidential election won’t stop her campaign.

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Geopolitics

Mexico’s 2024 Elections: Time To Boost Democracy Or Cement Authoritarianism

As Mexico’s president seeks to consolidate his power ahead of the 2024 general elections in the fall, will voters and institutions react to safeguard the country’s democracy or fall deeper into outgoing President López Obrador’s authoritarian impulses?

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Geopolitics

The Stakes In Taiwan’s Election Couldn’t Be Higher

It’s the first big election of 2024, and it may well prove one of the most contested — and significant ones. As these vote on Saturday, Taiwanese citizens will be picking the fate of their identity and democracy.

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Geopolitics Ideas Israel-Palestine War

Barghouti Revisited? Why Israel Won’t Release The “Palestinian Mandela” — Even After Oct. 7

Palestinians believe that Barghouti is capable of uniting the Palestinians and achieving reconciliation between the Fatah and Hamas movements. He may be the only figure who is able to lead negotiations and achieve peace, but Israel will not release him because it doesn’t really want either

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Geopolitics

DRC Elections, Between Huge Potential And Deep Dysfunction

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, some 44 million voters will be choosing between 19 candidates to elect the new president. It’s a massive electoral task in a state that is largely dysfunctional. Where is the world to lend a hand?

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Geopolitics

Egypt Elections: El-Sisi’s Clean And Easy Victory Had A Dirty Side

Egypt’s presidential vote ended with a certain outcome. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi secured another term that will keep him in power until 2030. It was a landslide victory for el-Sisi who has been in power since 2014. He received 89.6% of what officials said was the highest turnout in Egypt’s election history amid a state-sponsored campaign of mobilization for voters.

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Geopolitics Ideas

Milei’s Victory In Argentina: The Cult Of Personal Freedom At All Costs

Javier Milei has scored a stunning victory on a populist far-right platform promising maximum personal liberties and a shrunken state. But the deep rifts and economic hardship in Argentinian society present huge risks for the nation and its incoming president.

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Eyes on the U.S. Geopolitics Ideas

America’s Dilemma: Between Middle East Quagmire And The “Real” Threat In China

In the wake of Hamas’s attack on Israel, the United States, often projected as no longer wanting to be the region’s policeman, finds itself deploying aircraft carriers in the eastern Mediterranean and conducting F16 raids against Iranian targets in Syria. But the epoch-shifting challenge is elsewhere.

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This Happened

This Happened — October 27: Lula Elected (The First Time)

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won the presidency in Brazil on this day in 2002. Who is Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva? Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, commonly known as Lula, is a Brazilian politician who first served as the 35th President of Brazil. He served two terms, from 2003 to 2010, and he was […]

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Geopolitics

Polish Elections: Liberal Democracy Is Still Alive And Kicking

The results from the landmark Polish election, which saw a surge by liberal and center-right parties, is long awaited good news for the European Union… and not-so-good news for Viktor Orban.

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In The News

An End To Venezuela Sanctions? The Lula Factor In Biden’s Democratization Gamble

The Biden administration’s exploration to lift sanctions on Venezuela, hoping to gently push its regime back on the path of democracy, might have taken its cue from Brazilian President Lula’s calls to stop demonizing Venezuela.

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Geopolitics Society

Why Slovakia’s Robert Fico Is Good For Putin — And Even Better For Orban

One man’s victory in Slovakia may move the tides of European support for Ukraine, and play into an “illiberal temptation” that is spreading across the continent, with Hungary’s prime minister set to cash in on his perennial clash with the EU.

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In The News

The Demagogue’s Formula: How Trump Creates An Eternal Bond With His Base

If anything, the fourth indictment leveled against former U.S. President Donald Trump will only increase the fervor among his diehard fans.

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Geopolitics In The News

The Big Questions (And Coalition Headaches) Ahead For Spain

The country finds itself without a clear majority following yesterday’s parliamentary elections. Amid such inconclusive results, what are the country’s best options to avoid prolonged political limbo?

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Geopolitics

“Untouchable” For President — Could A Dalit Leader Unseat Modi?

India goes to the polls next year, with a united opposition hoping to unseat Prime Minister Modi after 10 years in power. Mallikarjun Kharge, who may be the best candidate, is from India’s “lowest” caste system.

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In The News

How Russia Is Grooming Future Politicians On The Frontline In Ukraine

The war in Ukraine will have a lasting impact on the political landscape of both Russia and Ukraine, regardless of its ultimate outcome. Independent Russian publication Agents Media suggests that the ongoing conflict will shape the country’s future decision-makers.

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In The News

Why Poland’s Male-Run, Far-Right Party Is Popular With Educated Women

Similar to recent breakthroughs of right-wing parties in other countries, Poland’s anti-immigrant political party has a somewhat different formula that has found surprising support among professional women. And Konfederacja may be decisive in next fall’s national elections.

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Geopolitics

What Five More Years Of Erdogan Mean For Turkey – And The World

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has cemented his already tight grip on power in Turkey, winning an unprecedented third term as president. The West had hoped for a slightly less unpredictable leader, but they will have to make peace with an emboldened Erdogan, who may become even more autonomous.

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In The News

DeSantis, Trump, Twitter: The Medium (#Musk) Is The Message

Republican contender for the U.S. presidency launched his bid on Twitter in conversation with Elon Musk. But the move backfired after numerous technical glitches — not the best start to his campaign.

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Geopolitics Russia-Ukraine War

Why Poland’s Ruling Party Has Suddenly Turned On Ukraine — With The Wounds Of History

The Polish government has recently demanded official apologies from Kyiv (which is busy fighting off the Russian invasion) for historic war crimes committed by Ukrainian nationalists against ethnic Poles during World War II. The ruling PiS party is up to its old tricks of scapegoating for votes.

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Geopolitics

Greek Elections: Will The Left Forgive Tsipras For The “Betrayal” Of 2015?

With the opposition Progressive Alliance ‘Syriza’ trailing in the polls for the May 21 election, they’ll need to convince their potential core left-wing voters that they are true progressives. Tspiras’ controversial bailout deal of 2015, however, still hangs in the air.

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Eyes on the U.S. Geopolitics In The News

World Rolls Eyes At “Nonno” Biden’s Reelection Run

After Joe Biden announced he’s running for a second term as U.S. president this week, newspapers around the world began to brace for a rematch of two rather old men.

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