Democracy Lab

Mexico's Bright Light

Even as the country around it sinks into a morass of drug-fueled crime, Mexico City has remained surprisingly safe.

BY LARRY KAPLOW | JUNE 29, 2012

The Missing 50 Percent

There’s no real democracy without full representation for women.

BY SUSAN A. MARKHAM | JUNE 29, 2012

Rumblings in Sudan

Anti-regime riots have swept through the authoritarian country, but is an Arab Spring really coming?

BY DEMOCRACY LAB | JUNE 27, 2012

Chile's Countercyclical Triumph

Though politicians love to talk about saving for a rainy day, not many have actually managed to pull it off. How Chile bucked the trend.

BY JEFFREY FRANKEL | JUNE 27, 2012

The Sudanese Stand Up

The best way to help the protesters in Sudan? Cover the story.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | JUNE 27, 2012

Who Cares How Many Women Are in Parliament?

There are plenty of good yardsticks for the state of women’s rights around the world. Parliamentary representation isn’t one of them.

BY JOSHUA FOUST, MELINDA HARING | JUNE 25, 2012

Build Burma from the Ground Up

Relying only on the state to implement democratic reforms in Burma is a fool’s errand. But there’s a better way.

BY ELLIOTT PRASSE-FREEMAN | JUNE 22, 2012

The Martyrdom of Al Qusayr

Images from photojournalist Robert King’s recent visit to a Syrian community under siege.

JUNE 21, 2012

"The Wounded Will Be Killed"

An American photojournalist describes what he saw during the month he spent in a Syrian village under siege.

BY ROBERT KING | JUNE 21, 2012

Her Work Isn’t Done

This week the world is celebrating Aung San Suu Kyi’s achievements as a pro-democracy activist. Now the question is: Can she finish the job?

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | JUNE 20, 2012

Asia's Next Tiger

President Aquino's anti-corruption program is just what the Philippines economy needs.

BY GREG RUSHFORD | JUNE 19, 2012

A Requiem for Calderon

The outgoing Mexican president had a golden opportunity to change his country for the better -- and he blew it.

BY ALINA ROCHA MENOCAL | JUNE 18, 2012

Egypt's Subsidy Blues

When Egypt's next rulers finally tackle urgently needed economic reform, they should look to an unlikely model: Iran.

BY PETER PASSELL | JUNE 15, 2012

The Freedom to Hate

As sectarian violence lashes Burma, the media are using their newfound freedom for destructive ends.

BY HANNA HINDSTROM | JUNE 14, 2012

Egypt's Constitutional Chaos

The process of drafting a new constitution is a train wreck. But there’s a way to get it back on track.

BY MARA REVKIN, YUSSUF AUF | JUNE 14, 2012

The Devil They Know

Why the West shouldn't expect Russia's policy on Syria to change anytime soon.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | JUNE 13, 2012

Africa Takes Off

Sub-Saharan Africa is starting to shed its reputation as an economic laggard. The West should pay attention.

BY G. PASCAL ZACHARY | JUNE 11, 2012

Betting on a Cambodian Spring

Why Cambodia’s opposition faces a steep uphill battle in its effort to oust Prime Minister Hun Sen.

BY THOMAS MANN MILLER | JUNE 1, 2012

The Window is Closing for Riyadh

The oil won’t last forever -- so Saudi Arabia’s government has to reform its economy if it wants to survive.

BY ROBERT LOONEY | JUNE 1, 2012

The Dictators Are Smarter Than You Think

Don't count the tyrants out. They've still got plenty of tricks up their sleeves.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | MAY 30, 2012

The Godfathers of Tunis

Tunisia’s new government has declared war on sleaze -- but that’s much easier said than done.

BY FADIL ALIRIZA | MAY 25, 2012

Two Worlds, One Climate

Forget Kyoto. There’s a much better way to persuade the developing world to fight climate change.

BY PETER PASSELL | MAY 23, 2012

In the Crosshairs

Why controlling the international arms trade can help to build stable societies.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | MAY 22, 2012

Down, but Not Out

Just because Brazil’s growth rates are slowing, doesn’t mean the doomsayers are right.

BY ALBERT FISHLOW | MAY 18, 2012

The Miracle of Midland

How a West Texas oil town became an unlikely champion of human rights.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | MAY 15, 2012

Burma Can Bring It

It’s true: Burma faces an uphill climb in its transition to democracy. But the odds may be better than you think.

BY MICHAEL ALBERTUS, VICTOR MENALDO | MAY 14, 2012

Getting Ready for Life after Castro

Managing the transition to a democratic Cuba: A user’s guide.

BY JAIME SUCHLICKI | MAY 11, 2012

Vox Pop: Egyptians Prepare to Choose a President

Everyone's talking about Egypt's presidential election. But what do the voters think?

BY MAGDY SAMAAN | MAY 9, 2012

Spring Is Over

Has the Russian protest movement fatally weakened Vladimir Putin? Don’t bet on it.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | MAY 8, 2012

"Captains Stay with Their Crew"

Most of the Americans charged by Egypt in the NGO affair have since left the country. But one, Robert Becker, decided to stay and face the music.

BY MOHAMED FADEL FAHMY | MAY 2, 2012