Authoritarianism

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Trump has long been accused of having a soft spot for dictators, but now he has admitted it, even if only in the form of a jest. Nancy Youssef, Vivian Salama, and Michael Bender at the Wall Street Journal report that at the recent G7 meeting where Trump saw a […]

Authoritarianism

Trump’s NOAA reduced to agency of Tinpot Dictator like al-Sisi’s Egypt

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Last week Trump erroneously tweeted out that Alabama was in the path of Hurricane Dorian, which could have set off a panic in Alabama that led to people leaving their homes unnecessarily, and to economic harm. The Birmingham National Weather Service contradicted the president. It now transpires that Wilbur Ross, […]

Authoritarianism

2084? Is Trump the one who Takes us into the Age of Big Brother?

Tom Engelhardt

(Tomdispatch.com) – I, Winston Smith… I mean, Tom Engelhardt… have not just been reading a dystopian novel, but, it seems, living one — and I suspect I’ve been living one all my life. Yes, I recently reread George Orwell’s classic 1949 novel, 1984. In it, Winston Smith, a secret opponent of the totalitarian world of […]

Authoritarianism

Are we Trapped in Orwell’s ‘1984’?

The Conversation

It teaches us that power and tyranny are made possible through the use of words and how they are mediated

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 […]

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 […]