The early post-Cold War optimism about increasing global cooperation has been dashed by the return of geopolitical rivalry.

Facebook takes down influence operations; UN elects new ITU head; Russian APTs use hacktivists as cover; Proton VPN pulls out of India; rumors of fake coup in China spread.

Pegasus spyware detected in PM Boris Johnson's office; Spyware targets Catalan separatists; NATO to conduct Locked Shields exercise; Lazarus Group steals $600 million in cryptocurrency; REvil returns…

In the run-up to last year’s presidential and parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe, hope was palpable in Harare. Civil society activists, journalists, and business leaders marveled at how political space had opened up in the wake of the coup that ousted longtime President Robert Mugabe. It was as if an entire country had opened up the windows to let in fresh air. However, these victories for Zimbabwe are ringing hollow because they occur against an alarming backdrop of state-sponsored violence and intimidation.

Ahead of national elections in Pakistan this week, allegations of pre-poll rigging, press intimidation, and the mainstreaming of militant groups are all cause for concern.