Fragile States Index Reveals Grievance in Unexpected Places
What is the most stable country in the world? Which is the most fragile? What determines those qualities? In 2017, South Sudan was ranked the most […] More
Democracy
Will Moon Bring Back Sunshine Policy in South Korea?
From day one, South Korea’s new President, Moon Jae-in, has shown he will be a different type of leader. He confirmed a campaign promise that […] More
Will Moon Push for Engagement with Pyongyang?
In his first days in office, newly elected South Korean President Moon Jae-in has tried to reassure the governments of the United States, Japan, and […] More
South Korea Voters Mandate Reform
After months of uncertainty following the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, South Korea has a new president. Moon Jae-in, a human rights lawyer and former […] More
Does Moderate Political Islam Exist?
The term “political Islam” has become commonplace after the Arab uprisings of 2011, during which Islamist groups rose to political prominence across the Middle East […] More
The Best of Times and Worst of Times for Moderate Political Islam
The concept of political Islam has deep historical roots in Islamic societies and, during the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011 in the Middle East and […] More
The Many Faces of Political Islam – From Moderate to Extreme
Usage of the term political Islam has become common in recent years as Islamist movements vie for influence in a changing Middle East. However, the […] More
Turkish Referendum Passes: Erdogan Solidifies Power
Turks went to the polls on Sunday and voted “Yes” in Turkey’s constitutional referendum by a margin of just over 51 percent to nearly 49 […] More
Turkey’s Referendum: The Dangerous Road to “Yes”
Turkey has a checkered history with democracy. Since adopting a multiparty parliamentary system, the country has suffered periodic military coups – including a failed putsch […] More
Turkey’s Ties to the West are in Deep Trouble
Speaking at a rally in Istanbul on March 26, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan further escalated his ongoing fight with Europe: “Have you [Europeans] not burned and […] More
Turkey’s Ties to the West are in Deep Trouble
Speaking at a rally in Istanbul on March 26, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan further escalated his ongoing fight with Europe: “Have you [Europeans] not […] More
Erdogan Needs Enemies More Than Friends
On April 16, Turkey will hold a constitutional referendum, which if passed, promises to transform the country’s governing system. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stands […] More
Thorns in the Bear’s Paw: Putin’s Vulnerabilities
Vladimir Putin is portrayed in the West as the master manipulator in foreign policy, creating turmoil in U.S. and European elections and outfoxing his rivals […] More
Moscow Eyes the French Elections
With just a few weeks left until French voters head to the polls, far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen made her way to Moscow for […] More
The Media and Global Leaders Still Missing the Mark on Trump
The elites still don’t get it. Brexit, Trump, surging right-wing nationalism on both sides of the Atlantic; and yet time after time, the media and […] More
The Deep State Mirage in Turkey
The so-called “deep state” is like dark matter. There is wide belief in countries like Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan that it exists, but no one […] More
What Is the “Deep State”?
The term “Deep State” has achieved new popularity in recent weeks, but not in reference to opaque military elites in faraway countries. Today, the term […] More
Pakistan’s Entrenched Deep State
Academic and policy analysts generally agree that Pakistan’s army and directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, exert a controlling influence over most of Pakistan’s core […] More