Why Taiwan’s Voters Defied Beijing—Again

• Raymond Kuo

Taiwan’s voters rewarded the ruling party with an unprecedented third consecutive term, despite the mainland’s attempts to intimidate. Expect Beijing to find new ways to threaten the democracy off its coast.

The Son Also Rises

• Richard Javad Heydarian

Many feared Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s election would spell the end of Philippine democracy. But the dictator’s son has surprised nearly everyone, playing the role of a reformer while moving fast to sideline his populist rivals.

How to Dismantle an Illiberal Democracy

• Jarosław Kuisz
• Karolina Wigura

There is no clear roadmap. But Poland may be setting out on its first steps in stamping out populism and holding those responsible for the worst violations of the rule of law.

The Most Important Elections You Just Missed

• Rahul Mukherji
• Harsh Mander
• Seyed Hossein Zarhani

India just held five state elections that did more than declare winners and losers: They offered a roadmap for how to win the national contest in the world’s most populous democracy next year.

The World Has Become Flatter for Authoritarian Regimes

• Christopher Walker

They are benefiting from a world that has grown more hostile for democracy and human rights. But it doesn’t need to be the case. Democracies need to double down on their own competitive advantage.

Why Did Argentina Just Elect a Radical Right-Wing Political Outsider?

• Virginia Oliveros
• Emilia Simison

By choosing Javier Milei, Argentinian voters didn’t just reject the status quo. They have sent their country hurtling in an unknown direction.

How Guatemalans Are Defending Their Democracy

• Manuel Meléndez-Sánchez
• Laura Gamboa

They are organized, nonviolent, and they have come out in great numbers. Guatemalans may also be writing the script on how to defeat democracy’s enemies.

Cracks in Sisi’s Façade

• Waleed Shawky

Egypt’s upcoming presidential elections are a sham. But the opposition can still take advantage of this moment to push for genuine reforms that the country desperately needs.

Stop Trying to “Defeat” Russia and China

• Ali Wyne
• Liana Fix

Moscow and China pose a great danger to the democratic world. But they pose threats that need to be managed, not won. Every great foreign-policy battle doesn’t end with a decisive victory.

A Shock to Guatemala’s System

• Will Freeman
• Lucas Perelló

Almost no one thought that an underdog political reformer could defeat Guatemala’s corrupt political machine, but Bernardo Arévalo did just that. Now comes the hard part.

Why the Defenders of Liberal Democracy Need to Stand Up

• Ghia Nodia

If liberal norms and institutions are to prevail, they need to be defended from the left and the right.

Why Ukraine Is Critical to Rebuilding Our Democratic Consensus

• Marc F. Plattner

The case for liberal democracy remains powerful. It may get its biggest boost in the near term from success on the battlefields of Ukraine.

What It Takes to Win the New Cold War with China

• Carl Gershman

Our struggle against the Soviet Union offers vital lessons for how to confront the aggressive totalitarian threat that Beijing now represents.

Why the German Far Right Is Beginning to Win

• Michael Bröning

For years, they were a fringe vote. Now they are broadening their agenda, tapping into voter frustration, and getting Germans to favor them once again.

Why He May Soon Be Remembered as “Putin the Weak”

• Michael McFaul

The Russian autocrat wanted to go down in history on par with Russia’s greatest leaders. He is increasingly looking like one of its weakest.

Inside the Fight to Save Israeli Democracy

• Natan Sachs

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants the public to see his efforts to overhaul the Israeli judiciary as a “reform.” But people have seen it for what it is: a struggle over the very future of democracy itself.

This Is Not the End of Putin’s Troubles

• Kathryn Stoner

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s rebellion has exposed the fundamental instability of Putinism.

Putin Just Learned Why You Don’t Trust Mercenaries

• Zoltan Barany

The Russian autocrat forgot an age-old truth about working with common criminals and soldiers for hire.

Believe Nothing Putin or Prigozhin Tell You

• Andrei Kozyrev

In the days ahead, the West must remain calm—and redouble its support for Ukraine.

Putin’s Formula for Ruling Russia Is Failing

• Robert Person

The Russian autocrat’s system of control has rested on pillars that are beginning to crumble.