Authoritarianism

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 […]

Authoritarianism

French Ex-President Sarkozy arrested over Libya Campaign money Charges

Juan Cole

TeleSur | – – Sarkozy has categorically denied receiving any campaign funding from the North African country. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was detained by police officers early Tuesday, Reuters reported. The ex head of state was being questioned by magistrates in relation to allegations he received US$61 million in funding for his 2007 election […]

Authoritarianism

The New Censorship: Beware Authoritarian leaders claiming to Fight “Fake News”

contributors

By Courtney C. Radsch | (Project Syndicate) | – – Laws meant to curb “fake news” may be well intentioned, but their implementation has been sloppy, with few mechanisms to ensure accountability, transparency, or reversibility. Governments are outsourcing censorship to the private sector, where maximizing shareholder value, not upholding journalistic freedom, drives decision-making. WASHINGTON, DC […]

Authoritarianism

Egypt: Sisi Warns Opposition After Call for Elections Boycott

Juan Cole

TeleSur | – – Opposition parties and leaders are calling for a boycott of Egypt’s presidential elections after other candidates were arrested or intimidated. Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned its political opponents after a boycott on next presidential elections was announced. “Be warned. What happened seven or eight years ago, will not happen again […]

Authoritarianism

Saudi Prince Alwaleed in talks with gov’t over demand he surrender Billions

contributors

Middle East Monitor | – – Saudi Arabia’s billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, detained for over two months in an anti-corruption crackdown, is negotiating a possible settlement with authorities but so far has not agreed on terms, a senior Saudi official said. Prince Alwaleed, whose net worth has been estimated by Forbes magazine at $17 […]

Authoritarianism

No Normalization: All the Fascist Highlights Trump still Hits

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Fascism as a political ideology is difficult to define, in part because it usually contains a big dose of populism, and the content of populism differs from people to people. In my view Mussolini’s fascism in Italy is a fair exemplar of the phenomenon. One characteristic […]

Authoritarianism

Putin’s Medieval Romanticism and Russia’s Lurch Right

contributors

Dina Khapaeva | (Project Syndicate) | – – As much of the world makes amends for social and political injustices of the past, Russia is lionizing its despots, raising statues to the worst of them. Behind this phenomenon is an ultra-nationalist brand of conservatism that seeks to take Russian politics back to the Middle Ages. […]

Authoritarianism

Riyadh releases more royals in corruption probe, Demands $6 bn from Alwaleed

Juan Cole

Middle East Monitor | – – Saudi Arabia’s authorities have released a number of detained royals allegedly involved in corruption in public office. The move came after a settlement was agreed with the suspects, the daily Okaz reported yesterday. The pro-government newspaper added that the detainees, who had been held in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in […]

Authoritarianism

2017: How Erdoğan pushed Turkey toward Authoritarianism

contributors

By Mustafa Coban | (The Conversation) | – – After winning an April referendum to greatly enhance the powers of his office, Turkey’s president, Recip Tayyip Erdoğan, spent 2017 pursuing his ultimate priority: to formally cement and extend his one-man rule, which he can next do at the 2019 elections. This he has done with […]