Tag: kleptocracy

Globalization of venality: kleptocracy’s corrosive impact on democracy

     

With popular dissatisfaction over corruption increasing around the world, the term “kleptocracy” is often used as a catchall to describe any form of corrupt behavior by national elites. Yet transnational… Read more »

‘Azerbaijani Laundromat’ exposes kleptocratic ruling clique

     

Azerbaijan’s ruling elite operated a secret $2.8bn (£2.2bn) slush fund for two years to pay off European politicians and make luxury purchases, the BBC reports: The money was allegedly channelled… Read more »

Navalny ‘punches higher’: raising prospects for Russia’s democratic movement?

     

Aleksei Navalny, the charismatic anticorruption crusader and persistent thorn in the Kremlin’s side, has published exposés exploring the wealth of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, and… Read more »

Russia’s active measures toolbox used to ‘break apart’ Western democracies

     

The Obama administration received multiple warnings from national security officials between 2014 and 2016 that the Kremlin was ramping up its intelligence operations and building disinformation networks it could use… Read more »

Weaponizing kleptocracy: the four circles of ‘Russia’s Crony Capitalism’

     

Russia’s political shift to an authoritarian kleptocracy started with Vladimir Putin’s prosecution and jailing of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, according to Bill Browder, CEO, Hermitage Capital, and author of “Red Notice: A… Read more »

Russia’s fellow travelers aid disinformation in ‘cooler Cold War’

     

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Russian leader Vladimir Putin has been excised from two major upcoming releases. The move reportedly shows that Hollywood’s nerves are shredded after the cyber attacks… Read more »

Resources and commitment needed to combat kleptocracy

     

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit seeking to recover assets that include a $50 million Manhattan apartment and an $80 million yacht that it said were bought using… Read more »

A new era of competition: democrats vs. autocrats – and illiberals

     

With the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that democracies long failed to realize that a new era of competition was underway between autocratic and democratic states, notes Christopher Walker,… Read more »

South Africa’s Zuma ‘leading ANC onto a path of implosion’

     

Disputed resolutions, deferred decisions and policy uncertainty were the prime bequests of the policy conference of the African National Congress to the troubled organization, notes analyst Susan Booysen: To the question: is… Read more »