5 articles
Russia's State Duma recently passed its federal budget without a single amendment, highlighting President Putin's consolidation of absolute control. The absence of debate and opposition signals a profound erosion of institutional power, where lawmakers prioritize self-preservation over legislative function.
A significant U.S.-Israel strike in Iran is sending shockwaves to China's leadership, raising concerns about oil dependence and geopolitical alignments. The crisis, occurring just weeks before President Trump's visit to Beijing, could reshape U.S.-China calculations and serve as a warning to authoritarian powers.
Political scientist Francis Fukuyama analyzes China's political system, drawing parallels between the contemporary Communist Party and ancient dynastic rule, highlighting the persistent challenge of top-down control and the 'bad emperor problem.' He discusses his peculiar meeting with former top official Wang Qishan and expresses concern over Xi Jinping's authoritarian turn, while also acknowledging the grave dangers facing American liberal democracy under figures like Donald Trump.
A mere thirteen days into January 2026, leading democracy experts Francis Fukuyama and Larry Diamond warn of an escalating crisis, citing an increasingly unrestrained presidency, plummeting approval ratings, and a pattern of constitutional abuses. Domestic and international allies are unnerved by a shift towards authoritarianism and transactional foreign policy, while deeper societal ideological shifts threaten the very foundations of democratic governance, with the integrity of the electoral process identified as the gravest danger.
Russia's leadership under Vladimir Putin is increasingly isolated, operating on a foundation of suppressed truths and comforting fictions, leading to severe economic, military, and societal consequences. A culture where bad news ends careers has created an echo chamber, preventing Putin from grasping the true state of his nation and its war efforts, thereby accelerating the regime's instability and potential collapse.
