Civil Unrest

Putin at desk

Will Russia Leave the West? Will Russia Leave the West?

The new Cold War could drive the planet’s largest country, long anchored politically in both geopolitical worlds, eastward to stay.

Sep 13, 2017 / Stephen F. Cohen

Raila Odinga Supporters Celebrate

Kenya’s Rescheduled Elections Are a Triumph of Constitutionalism—but How Much Has Really Changed? Kenya’s Rescheduled Elections Are a Triumph of Constitutionalism—but How Much Has Really Changed?

The country is now a tinderbox, in which supporters of the rival factions believe they can lose only if the other side rigs the results.

Sep 12, 2017 / Macharia Gaitho

Putin at desk

Does Putin Really Want to ‘Destabilize the West’? Does Putin Really Want to ‘Destabilize the West’?

Just as there is no forensic evidence of a Kremlin “attack on our democracy” in 2016, there is no political logic for Putin’s alleged motives.

Sep 6, 2017 / Stephen F. Cohen

Gorbachev Reagan Bush

The Lost Alternatives of Mikhail Gorbachev The Lost Alternatives of Mikhail Gorbachev

Thirty years ago, the last Soviet leader gave the world the possibilities of a democratic Russia and (with Ronald Reagan) an end to Cold War and nuclear arms races. Today, it is as...

Aug 24, 2017 / Stephen F. Cohen

robert e lee removal

Political Conflict Over Historical Monuments, From Charlottesville to Moscow Political Conflict Over Historical Monuments, From Charlottesville to Moscow

Today’s conflicts over American slavery and Stalin’s Great Terror reveal similar controversies as well as an unknown Putin.

Aug 17, 2017 / Stephen F. Cohen

Palestinian Family in Mourning

Cutting Off Payments to Palestinian Families Won’t Stop Terrorism Cutting Off Payments to Palestinian Families Won’t Stop Terrorism

It also might amount to collective punishment, which is illegal. 

Aug 17, 2017 / Lara Friedman

Demonstrators walk amid tear gas fired by Bolivarian National Guards on the outskirts of Caracas, Venezuela on July 20, 2017.

Venezuela May Be on the Brink of Civil War Venezuela May Be on the Brink of Civil War

The international left should do everything in its power to prevent it; we must support a negotiated solution.

Aug 9, 2017 / Gabriel Hetland

Minneapolis Protest Against Police Brutality

Justine Damond’s Murder Deserves Sympathy and Outrage. So Does Every Incident of Police Violence. Justine Damond’s Murder Deserves Sympathy and Outrage. So Does Every Incident of Police Violence.

The Minneapolis Police Department should be held accountable, but we can’t forget that police shootings disproportionately impact people of color.

Jul 25, 2017 / Collier Meyerson

Protests in Hoceima

Is Morocco Headed Toward Insurrection? Is Morocco Headed Toward Insurrection?

The northeastern Rif, Berber heartland and site of the 1920s Rif Republic, is on fire—and the protests are spreading.

Jul 13, 2017 / Hisham Aidi

Trump-Putin Détente Partnership Begins as ‘Russiagate’ Attacks on It Grow Trump-Putin Détente Partnership Begins as ‘Russiagate’ Attacks on It Grow

Cooperation with Russia is imperative, but never has the US political-media elite’s opposition to it been so virulent.

Jul 12, 2017 / Stephen F. Cohen

x