A new breed of Cuban dissident
For most of his career as a Cuban dissident leader, through his 2003 arrest and seven years as a political prisoner, José Daniel Ferrer was repeatedly pressed by the Cuban government… Read more »
Category: Dissidents
Setting a precedent? Habré trial a model for international justice
Former Chadian dictator Hissène Habré has been found guilty by a Dakar court of crimes against humanity, rape, and sexual slavery. Habré’s trial marked the first of an ex-leader by… Read more »
China’s future: Xi’s ‘great rejuvenation’ is radical and risky
“China is simply not turning out as many had expected and have worked so long and hard to realize — a liberal China,” notes David Shambaugh, a professor of political… Read more »
Azerbaijan court frees campaigning journalist Khadija Ismayilova
A top Azerbaijan investigative journalist, in jail since December 2014, has been freed on the order of the country’s supreme court, the BBC reports: Khadija Ismayilova‘s seven-and-a-half year sentence… Read more »
Obama chides Vietnam on political freedoms
U.S. President Barack Obama chided Vietnam on political freedoms on Tuesday after critics of the communist-run government were prevented from meeting him in Hanoi, a discordant note on a… Read more »
US-Cuba rapprochement benefits regime, not people
The rapprochement between the United States and Cuba – one of the world’s most authoritarian tourist destinations – will benefit the Cuban people little and its fruits will not reach… Read more »
A Strategy for Democratic Renewal
Democracy is being challenged today as never before since the end of Cold War, notes Carl Gershman, President of the National Endowment for Democracy. Freedom House has recorded ten consecutive… Read more »
China’s five year plan – consolidating power, revitalizing ruling party
The strategy underpinning China’s 13th five-year plan – outlined in an impressive report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies – is about consolidation of power and party revitalization, notes Robert… Read more »
Vietnam’s protesters look to Obama’s visit
President Obama is considering broadly expanding weapons sales to Vietnam in a move aimed at strengthening ties with Hanoi and boosting regional defenses against China’s growing clout, according to the Los… Read more »
China’s hard line a sign of weakness not strength
In an illuminating anecdote that David Shambaugh heard from two Chinese officials who witnessed an encounter between Hu Jintao and Russian leader Vladimir Putin with Beijing’s increasingly harsh scrutiny of… Read more »