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 that Thailand is merely one example in the developing world of a struggle for political freedom creating divisions between the middle classes and the poor.

Joshua Kurlantzick says that in light of recent political uprisings in world politics, "monarchy seems relevant again."

Joshua Kurlantzick explains the discontent that is fueling the political violence in Thailand.

The escalating standoff between Thai government troops and red shirt protesters reflects a fundamental shift in Thai politics and a weak government, writes CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick.

Joshua Kurlantzick reviews Everything Is Broken: A Tale of Catastrophe in Burma by Emma Larkin.

Joshua Kurlantzick discusses the roots of the conflict in Thailand.

Joshua Kurlantizk says that authoritarian regimes have undermined the potential power of the World Wide Web to foster democracy.

The once-prosperous democratic ally of the United States faces continuing upheaval unless the elite and opposition agree to political reforms and a frank debate about the future of its monarchy, writes CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick.

Joshua Kurlantzick reviews Tearing Apart the Land, by Duncan McCargo.

President Obama must not let his postponed trip to Indonesia scuttle U.S. plans to forge a lasting strategic partnership with an emerging world power, writes CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick.

Joshua Kurlantzick says, "A global decline in political freedom is partly the fault of the middle class."

Joshua Kurlantzick says the West now ignores human rights.

Joshua Kurlantzik argues, "the age of global human-rights advocacy has collapsed."

Joshua Kurlantzick argues that America will not be giving way to Asia as the global hegemon anytime soon.

Joshua Kurlantzick discusses rising nationalist sentiment among Asian nations.

The irony of President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize is that he has actually dialed down support for human rights around the world, writes Joshua Kurlantzick.

Joshua Kurlantzick questions the Obama administration's re-engagement of Burma, pointing out that in the past "the Burmese regime has softened just enough to win concessions, before reverting to its natural state."

The fact that President Obama did not predict the decline of Chinese communism was an important shift in rhetoric that was otherwise in line with what U.S. president's before him have said, writes Joshua Kurlantzick.

Ahead of President Obama's Asia trip, CFR experts Sheila Smith, Joshua Kurlantzick, Elizabeth Economy, and Scott Snyder discuss what the president should focus on during his visit to Japan, Singapore, China, and South Korea.

Joshua Kurlantzick writes that, "if the U.S. relationship with Afghanistan eventually resembles the one we now have with Vietnam, we should be overjoyed."