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 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.

R. M. Schneiderman and Joshua Kurlantzick argue, "When leaders of rogue nations hire Washington lobbyists, opposition voices get crowded out."

Joshua Kurlantzick and Shelby Leighton ask, "Why bother with a coup when there are better ways to take control?"

Joshua Kurlantzick argues, The man who said he would be the first "Pacific president" has been no such thing."

Joshua Kurlantzick says Thailand, once synonymous with paradise, is now a violent mess.

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."