In our current international system, democracies are often favored. Such a governmental system carries weight, allows its citizens personal freedoms and is respected by other states. Not all democracies are created equal, however. A number of states masquerade as democracies, but are closer to authoritarian ...
In a technology-based global society, sources for free speech like Facebook and Twitter are indicators of the extent of societal restrictions in oppressive regimes. When social media sites move abroad, they have a new challenge to open platforms for expression and dissent while remaining able to legally ...
For much of 2014, global protests against oppressive regimes took center stage in international dialogue. With people flocking to the streets in Venezuela, Ukraine, Hong Kong and the United States, no region is immune to unrest. Many of the same movements continue in 2015, proving the fight against ...
As war rages on in Eastern Ukraine, the territory that caught western attention in 2014 remains turbulent. Despite Russian President Putin’s promise to protect citizens of the Crimean peninsula post-annexation, Crimean Tatars are being “treated … as if they are the second-class people,” says ...
Younger generations are a significant threat to oppressive regimes. A driving force behind revolution, the student population is both at risk of repression and formidable in its opposition. Far too often student protests end in bloodshed and government crackdown.We were reminded of the risk and significance ...
The Russian region of Chechnya has a volatile history, and while President Ramzan Kadyrov has brought stability to the region, he has failed to promote human rights. In the past few years, attention has turned to the restrictions placed on women requiring them to wear Muslim dress in public. Such controls ...
This February, President Obama met leaders from over 60 countries in Washington for a global discussion on how to combat extremism in light of continuing attacks around the world. While talks about terrorism often revolve around military action, Obama’s speech linked oppression and extremism, indicating ...
While we in the US ate chocolates and celebrated love, Bahrain commemorated another occasion. This year, Feb. 14 marks the fourth anniversary of the most recent revolution. Unfortunately, the repression continues, and this Valentine’s Day is marked by more forceful responses to continuing protests, ...
Reestablishing diplomatic relations with Cuba has been one of Obama’s most controversial actions in office. New policies will affect everything from economics to immigration, and most importantly, human rights.Under the embargo, Cuba’s isolation made it insusceptible to US pressure, but the Obama ...
For the past two weeks, higher ups in the international community have flocked to Saudi Arabia to pay respects after the death of King Abdullah on Jan. 23. Everyone from French President Francois Hollande to President Obama met with offered condolences and met with the newly appointed King Salman in ...
