Democracy can survive polycrisis – a response to George Soros’ concern

George Soros expresses concern that a polycrisis – with major contributors being artificial intelligence, climate change and Russian aggression – might be challenges too great for the open democratic society to survive. Dissecting the problem shatters any doubt the situation is severe but also implies how to prevail. […]

4% turnout election led to violence in Kosovo

Clashes between NATO peacekeepers and demonstrators in the northern part of Kosovo injured 34 soldiers. The country unilaterally declared independence from neighboring Serbia in 2008 and the trouble flaring up now has its root cause in long strained relations between Kosovo’s minority Serb and majority Albanian population. Local […]

Protect a democratic NATO

The purpose of founding Nato 74 years ago was to defend European democracies against the Soviet Union, through means of collective force eliminating the risk of war. These are highly current aims worth upholding even today, says Peter Wolodarski, editor in chief of the independent liberal Swedish news […]

Thailand’s election winner will demilitarize the country

To fully democratize Thailand and make sure the country is back to business requires next four years priorities be demilitarize, demonopolize and decentralize. That is the message of the unofficial winner of Thailand’s election, leader of the progressive Move Forward Party and 42-year-old Harvard alumni Pita Limjaroenrat, as […]

Proud Boys convicted of breaching U.S. Capital – “attacked our democracy”

Guilty verdicts against leaders of the Proud Boys, finding four guilty of seditious conspiracy during breach of the U.S. Capital on January 6, 2021, was reported by the Department of Justice. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division said, “today’s convictions bring […]

UN Cybercrime Treaty under way

The current negotiation document for the expected soon to be UN Cybercrime Treaty has met heavy criticism from human rights defenders after the fifth negotiation session in April in Vienna, Austria. Modern law in the field of cybercrime is of course important but the present draft goes far […]

Taiwan and Ukraine collaborate on digital defense against dominant neighbors

“It is a battle over truth itself where survival of global democracy is at stake”, says Taiwan’s minister of digitalization Audrey Tang in an interview with DN, making reference to dominant neighbor China’s aggressive cyber activity which increased 20 fowl after Nancy Pelosi, US Speaker of the House […]

EU progress on media freedom safeguards – protecting vital parts of democracy

Seen as an essential part of a democratic society media freedom and pluralism will be safeguarded within the EU by an array of measures currently in process by EU-institutions. A directive on strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) with mandates for courts to quicker dismiss unfounded proceedings, financial […]

Autocratic Russia’s military defeat is a hotbed for democratic development

A victory by Ukraine, and Ukraine alone, over Russia may be fertile soil for democratic development in the largest country in the world by area, with a population exceeding 146 m. A historic comparison can be made to how western democracy thrived in the setbacks of autocratic colonialism […]

Democratic transition in Sudan halted by warlords, one fearful of ICC extradition

After the military coup in 2021, where the progress of UN experienced civilian prime minister Abdalla Hamdok was put to halt, Sudan has been ruled by two generals, Abdel Fattah al-Burham and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, both with ties to the conflict in Darfur and the latter to the […]