Trend Lines
Africa Watch
Something unexpected finally happened in an election in Namibia: The long-dominant ruling party, SWAPO, stumbled. President Hage Geingob still secured a second term in last week’s vote, but the party lost its parliamentary supermajority, perhaps heralding a new and more competitive political landscape.
Namibia’s Elections Chip Away at Some of the Ruling Party’s Dominance
Andrew Green Friday, Dec. 6, 2019
Catholic Churches Are Caught in the Crossfire of Nicaragua’s Political Crisis
Laura Weiss Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019
China Note
The U.S. and China have been trying to finalize a “phase one” trade deal for months, though recent developments have cast a shadow over the negotiations. But a trade deal is still seen to be in the best interest for both the U.S. and China, and a recent report indicates both sides may be nearing one.
Despite Recent Stumbling Blocks, the U.S. and China Still Want a Trade Deal
Benjamin Wilhelm Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019
China Note
Amid escalating protests and unrest, voters in Hong Kong came out in droves Sunday to hand pro-democracy candidates a resounding victory in local elections. The landslide for pro-democracy candidates blindsided Beijing, which has struggled to understand the protests and the broader pro-democracy movement.
Why the Pro-Democracy Landslide in Hong Kong’s Elections Blindsided Beijing
Benjamin Wilhelm Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019
Q&A
In mid-November, a vote of no confidence ousted the government of Moldovan Prime Minister Maia Sandu. In an email interview, Cristina Gherasimov explains why Sandu fell, what to expect from the new government, and why it is misleading to view Moldova’s political divisions through the prism of EU-Russian competition.
Moldova’s Political Divisions Go Beyond the EU-Russia Competition for Influence
Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019
Q&A
The U.S. announced the suspension last month of more than $1 billion in trade preferences for Thailand’s fishing industry due to rampant human rights violations. In an interview, Steve Trent discusses the abuses in Thailand’s seafood industry and whether the U.S. move will be enough to reform it.
Will U.S. Trade Restrictions Force Thailand to Clean Up Its Fishing Industry?
Monday, Nov. 25, 2019
Africa Watch
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is stifling any form of public protest against his government as Zimbabwe’s economy keeps sinking. Police violently disrupted an opposition party gathering in Harare on Wednesday, firing tear gas and beating people with batons, and more repression looks likely.
With Zimbabwe’s Economy Sinking, Mnangagwa Ramps Up Repression
Andrew Green Friday, Nov. 22, 2019
China Note
A recent report in The New York Times reveals the origins and implementation of China’s mass detention of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, based on 403 pages of internal Chinese government documents. But the documents also expose dissent within the Chinese Communist Party over the Xinjiang crackdown.
Leaked Files Detail Xi’s Crackdown in Xinjiang, and Some Internal Dissent
Benjamin Wilhelm Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019
Q&A
Can South Africa’s Main Opposition Party Overcome Its Internal Divisions?
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019
South Africa’s largest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, is in turmoil after a poor showing in elections earlier this year led to several senior black figures leaving the party last month. In an interview, Dirk Kotzé discusses the party’s difficulties in reconciling its internal tensions.