A thought-provoking study of democratization proposing that the spate of retreating democracies, one after another over the past two decades, is not just a series of exceptions.

Joshua Kurlantzick argues, "Around the globe, it is democratic meltdowns, not democratic revolutions, that are now the norm."

Joshua Kurlantzick reviews Mark Askew's Legitimacy Crisis in Thailand.

Joshua Kurlantzick writes that the Obama administration has learned that Washington can criticize the Beijing regime on human rights while continuing to work with it on other important global issues.

Joshua Kurlantzick says China's involvement in the Arab world could provide a vital balance to existing western interests in the region.

In this Markets and Democracy Brief, CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick analyzes Thailand's democratic failure and offers lessons from the Thai experience for new governments and reformers in the Middle East.

Japan bears only some resemblance to the Asian countries ravaged by the 2004 tsunami, but their recovery experiences could provide valuable insights to leaders in Tokyo, writes CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick.

Joshua Kurlantzick says despite Beijing's quick response to potential protests similar to those sweeping over the Middle East, in reality China's leadership has little to fear.

The experiences of several Asian states in the past quarter-century are worth noting in today's turbulent Mideast. The Asian cases show the value of swift, cohesive action by opposition groups, and the need for a light U.S. touch, says CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick.

Joshua Kurlantzick says that while many look to Indonesia as a model for the Middle East's current transition to democracy, the outcome in the Middle East may be quite different.

Joshua Kurlantzick discusses China's new approach to foreign policy.

Joshua Kurlantzick argues, "For all its economic might, Asia remains, overall, so much poorer than the United States that the region will take decades to catch up - if it catches up at all."

Joshua Kurlantzick says, "The junta might be building nukes--but is the United States doing anything about it?"

President Obama's Asia trip was marked by trade-related letdowns, missed opportunities, and fresh reminders that divergences of interests could be hard to finesse, say four CFR experts.

What will Obama focus on during his upcoming Asia trip? CFR experts Evan Feigenbaum, Joshua Kurlantzick, Scott Snyder, Edward Alden, and Sheila Smith discuss the agendas for India, Indonesia, South Korea, G20, and Japan.

Myanmar's military junta made sure the country's first elections in twenty years will favor the regime, but the polls still offer prospects for independent, civilian voices to emerge, says CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick.

New tensions in the South China Sea are a growing test to China's relations with the United States and China's Southeast Asian neighbors, writes CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick.

Joshua Kurlantzick discusses democracy and elections in Burma.

Joshua Kurlantzick discusses the "death of generosity" regarding foreign aid.

Joshua Kurlantzick reviews "If You Leave Us Here We Will Die:" How Genocide Was Stopped in East Timor, by Geoffrey Robinson.

U.S. talks with the junta in Myanmar have yielded few results, yet planned elections and a looming crisis in some border regions will force the U.S. to play a larger role, and possibly gain leverage with the regime, writes CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick.