Democracy

(Tomdispatch.com) – In this country, reactions to the Mueller report have been all-American beyond belief. Let’s face it, when it comes to election meddling, it’s been me, me, me, 24/7 here. Yes, in some fashion some set of Russians meddled in the last election campaign, whether it was, as Jared Kushner improbably claimed, “a couple […]

Democracy

Health, Poverty, Conflict in Charts: Is the World Better off Today than ever before in History?

The Conversation

By Julius Probst | – Swedish academic Hans Rosling has identified a worrying trend: not only do many people across advanced economies have no idea that the world is becoming a much better place, but they actually even think the opposite. This is no wonder, when the news focuses on reporting catastrophes, terrorist attacks, wars […]

Democracy

De Niro: “There’s Something more powerful than Bombs: Your Vote”

AFP

De Niro has been a frequent critic of Trump

Democracy

Is there Too Much Democracy in the Middle East?

Juan Cole

Trump loves Arab Strong Men almost as Much as he Loves Playboy Bunnies

Elections

Iraqi Journalist Who Threw Shoes at Bush Running For Parliament

TeleSur

Muntazer Zaidi famously threw his shoes at former President Bush in protest of the U.S. invasion of his country

Elections

How Troll Farms & Fake News are being Weaponized against Iraq’s Women Politicians

Niqash

As Iraq’s elections approach, internet dirty tricks multiply

Democracy

Tunisian women hit campaign trail as equals to men

contributors

The 2011 Tunisian Revolution resulted in a constitution that recognizes the equality of women and men (even the US doesn’t have that)

Democracy

As Lebanon prepares to vote, Amnesty for the disenfranchised provokes Fierce Debate

contributors

Haley Bobseine | (Informed Comment) | – – After almost a decade of multiple postponements stalling the national political process and depriving citizens of their right to vote, Lebanese parliamentary elections will be held next month under a new legal framework. Passed in June 2017, the new election law replaces the majoritarian system with multi-member […]

Authoritarianism

Egypt’s Electoral Farce: Polls show Al-Sisi lacks legitimacy & gov’t is Unstable

contributors

By Pamela Abbott & Andrea Teti | (The Conversation) | – – Egyptians are voting in presidential elections on March 26-28. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who grabbed power in 2013, is set to win another term by a landslide. Yet this is far from a sign of strength: opposition candidates have been silenced, and even pro-government […]