Democracy & Rule of Law
Democratic Backsliding & Solutions
94 Articles

Rubio’s Stance Against Bosnia’s Separatists Spurs EU to Act Too
The surprising US response to Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik's provocations has spurred European leaders to take more decisive action.

Trump’s Russia Reset Is Real — Here’s How Europe Should Respond
Trump has inverted the U.S. approach to Russia and Europe. European leaders must aid Ukraine and take ownership of their own security.

Turkey, PKK Make New Peace Overtures Amid Regional Shifts and Possible Erdogan Power Play
With new peace offerings, Turkey aims to shift complex intra-Kurdish relations that may improve regional security and Erdogan's position.

Trump’s China Tariff Now Treats Hong Kong the Same as the Mainland, a First in US Policy
Trump's tariffs treat Hong Kong as indistinguishable from China, disregarding Hong Kong’s status as an autonomous territory.

Freezing Support to Democracy and Human Rights Activists Undermines US Interests
Ending aid for democracy and human rights struggles inflicts long-term harm on American security and prosperity.

Supporting Freedom and a Foreign Aid Freeze are Incompatible — But Perhaps the Point? A Case Study
The Trump administration’s action undermines bipartisan efforts to support freedom fighters and enables corrupt autocrats.

The Just Security Podcast: Repression of Lawyers in Belarus and Around the World
Nils Muiznieks, Maksim Polovinko, and Margaret Satterthwaite join the show to discuss the repression lawyers face in Belarus.

Solidarity Needed Amid Stranglehold on Belarusian Lawyers
Belarusian lawyers face severe threats under a near-total State-controlled legal system with hundreds disbarred or exiled simply for doing their jobs.

Connecting the Dots: Trump’s Tightening Grip on Press Freedom
The president and his allies are leading an effort to eviscerate the free press and construct an information ecosystem favorable to his views.

Nine Experts on the Impact of President Trump’s Pardons and Commutations for January 6 Offenders
We asked nine experts about what clemencies might herald for the future of the rule of law, political violence, and extremism.

Understanding Trump’s Choice for FBI Leadership in Light of the“Weaponization of the Federal Government” Executive Order
An essay by former acting United States Attorney General.

Do Sanctions Work? It Depends. Burma and the West Bank Might Be Models.
The question shifts the focus from the far more critical issues of whether policy goals are clear and realistic and if sanctions can help.