Democracy

• [New] One of the fundamental questions that emerges from the election of Anthony Albanese's Labor government is whether Australia will put behind it a decade and a half of instability in the prime ministership. The Conversation
• [New] A French-Malian pause and then reset would be in the interest of the United States, especially because Mali is a key piece of an increasingly delicate regional puzzle that involves growing threats to democracy and security in the overwhelming majority of West Africa's fifteen states. Responsible Statecraft
• [New] The recent election of a Labor government in Australia presents both challenges and opportunities for the West Papua solidarity movement. Green Left
• [New] Reset Australia is part of a global, apolitical advocacy group pushing policy solutions to data privacy issues as well as countering digital threats to democracy. ABC (Australia)
• [New] Canada's intelligence community will have to grapple with the growing influence of anti-democratic forces in the United States - including the threat posed by conservative media outlets like Fox News. CBC
• [New] Senegal and the entire African continent fear that rising grain prices could drive many to starvation and throw democratic governments out of office. DNyuz
• [New] The election outcome offers an opportunity to reset and align Australia's economic policies with climate goals that will protect the retirement savings of millions of Australians. Investor Group on Climate Change
• [New] Election and democracy experts say they see the rise of anti-democratic impulses in statehouses as a clear, new threat to the health of American democracy. The New York Times
• [New] Should Republicans win enough positions to cheat their way to victory in 2024-that is, if they end American democracy - that will not mean they take power automatically. The American Prospect
• [New] If the opposition alliance wins the next election and strengthens rights and freedoms, as it says it wants to, there will be fewer tensions with Europe and the US over the state of Turkish democracy. Centre for European Reform
• [New] The state of democracy in the U.S. is a four-alarm fire - and investigative journalism is uniquely able to expose threats to democracy, shine a light on their potential consequences and help spark change. The Fund for Investigative Journalism
• [New] At a time when other states are enacting regressive voting laws to disenfranchise thousands of their voters, New York City has an opportunity to be a leader in the continued fight for a true representative Democracy. Gotham Gazette
• [New] While destruction continues apace in Brazil and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, other countries such as Indonesia offer glimmers of hope. The Guardian
• [New] Some countries attempt to reconcile individuals who might be attracted by right-wing extremism with the democratic process (Germany), while others aim at ensuring right-wing extremism does not affect the State and focus far less on individuals (France). European Parliament
• [New] With a Chinese Communist Party Congress expected this fall and important elections looming in the United States and Taiwan in 2024, there will be a growing need for clarity on dynamics influencing U.S.-Taiwan relations, cross-Strait relations, and Taiwan domestic affairs. Brookings
• [New] In recent years, Republicans and conservative pundits have increasingly cast Democrats as favoring immigration in the hopes of diluting the GOP's political power. The Washington Post
• [New] More broadly, the United States and its allies should consider a new allied trade partnership to reduce the vulnerability of democracies to economic coercion by Russia, as well as China, across a broader range of critical industry sectors. Atlantic Council
• [New] Time is running out for the Biden administration, which is facing midterm elections in the United States in November that could put Republicans in control of Congress - potentially blocking the White House's policy priorities, including in Venezuela. The New York Times
• [New] The AEC is being warned of a possible influx of scrutineers being recruited by freedom parties and advocacy groups linked to Australia's anti-lockdown movement to challenge vote counting at the federal election. ABC (Australia)
• [New] Tensions in Okinawa are likely to rise further given that lawmakers in Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party have said they want a commitment to more defence spending, including missiles that can hit targets on foreign soil - missiles that could be deployed on Okinawa. DAWN.COM
• [New] A key aspect of the climate debate has been neglected in election campaigning by the major political parties despite its fundamental importance to Australia's future: the impact climate change will have on Australia's national security. The Sydney Morning Herald
• [New] Tensions are likely to rise given that lawmakers for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party have said they want a commitment to more defence spending, including missiles that can hit targets on foreign soil - missiles that could be deployed on Okinawa. investing.com

Last updated: 29 May 2022