Democracy
Putin to return to power with damaged credibility and legitimacy
January 31, 2012Putin’s faltering return In May 2011 we argued for a modest advance in Russian democracy, namely that both Medvedev and Putin should stand as candidates to offer a modicum of choice between, roughly speaking, modernisation versus continuity. For...
NED Panel Commemorates Moldovan Independence
September 15, 2011To commemorate Moldova’s twenty years of independence, NED hosted a panel discussion, co-organized with Freedom House and the Moldova Foundation (a NED grantee), on “Moldova’s Transition: 20 Years of Challenges and Successes.”...
Russia's Evolving Leadership: The Appearance of Democracy (part 5)
July 05, 2011The first move is to strengthen the ruling party — United Russia — while allowing more independent political parties. United Russia already has been shifted into having many sub-groups that represent the more conservative factions, liberal...
Russia's Evolving Leadership: Medvedev’s New Pragmatism (part 4)
July 05, 2011When Medvedev entered office, his current reputation for compliance and pragmatism did not exist. Instead, he continued on Russia’s roll forward with one of the boldest moves to date — the Russia-Georgia war. Aside from the war, Medvedev also...
Russia's Evolving Leadership: Putin’s Shifts (part 3)
July 05, 2011Putin, who had no choice but to appeal to the West to help keep the country afloat when he took office in 2000, initially was hailed as a trusted partner by the West. But even while former U.S. President George W. Bush was praising Putin’s soul...
Russia's Evolving Leadership: Perceptions of Putin (part 2)
July 05, 2011Putin’s goal was to fix the country, which meant restoring state control (politically, socially and economically), strengthening the FSB and military and re-establishing Russia’s influence and international reputation — especially in...
Russia's Evolving Leadership (part 1)
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July 05, 2011Russia has entered election season, with parliamentary elections in December and presidential elections in March 2012. Typically, this is not an issue of concern, as most Russian elections have been designed to usher a chosen candidate and political party...
Middle East: Lots of challenges; one big opportunity
March 10, 2011Something big is happening in the Middle East—precisely what is yet unclear. Unfolding developments and thoughtful analysis will no doubt tarnish some of the instant western labels affixed to the unrest—democratic wildfire, first Twitter...
European Union develops ties with Kyiv despite concerns over democracy
March 10, 2011It is clear that problems with democracy and slow reforms in Ukraine under President Viktor Yanukovych have not prevented the European Union from developing closer ties with Kyiv. German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, and EU chief free trade negotiator...
Wildfire in the Middle East: Neither democracy nor radical Islam
February 09, 2011Last December 17, fruit vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set himself aflame to protest his humiliation and beating at the hands of corrupt officials in Tunisia. This sparked a wildfire that smoked Tunisian strongman Zine el-Abedine Ben Ali out of office and...