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March 29, 2022

Middle East and North Africa
Islamism Is Ready for a Comeback

The death of political Islam in the Middle East has been greatly exaggerated.

February 24, 2022

Nigeria
Nigeria’s All Too Familiar Corruption Ranking Begs Broader Questions Around Normative Collapse

Released last month, the 2021 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) confirmed what many Nigerians know intuitively—that a steady stream of official antigraft rhetoric has hardly made a dent on what many agree is the most formidable perennial challenge to the country’s long-term stability. President Buhari’s sentiment to the effect that “if Nigeria does not kill corruption, then corruption will kill Nigeria,” is widely shared. Not only is Nigeria down five places from its 2020 ranking, its total score of twenty-four out of a maximum one hundred points represents a drop for the third successive year, making it West Africa’s second most corrupt country. Guinea-Bissau, still reeling from a failed military takeover in early February, holds the dubious honor of being the most corrupt.  

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari wearing gray traditional clothing and glasses sitting with a binder on his lap.

December 14, 2021

Russia
Defusing the Russia-Ukraine Crisis

What to do to deter a Russian invasion of Ukraine—and what to do if deterrence fails.

A grenade launcher operator of the Russian armed forces participates in combat drills at the Kadamovsky range in the Rostov region, Russia

November 23, 2021

China
Does Taiwan Have the Right of Self-Defense?

If conflict were to break out between China and Taiwan, the latter’s right to defend itself would hinge on its international legal status and the circumstances of the hostilities.

Armored vehicles parade in front of Taiwan presidential palace.