Trend Lines
Liberia’s New Government Risks Making an Enemy Out of the Media
Robbie Corey-Boulet Thursday, April 26, 2018
Q&A
Earlier this month, Colombia fired the head of a $500 million fund tasked with financing programs tied to the country’s historic FARC peace agreement. In an interview, Adam Isacson discusses the scorecard in implementing peace and why now isn’t the time for the international community to “lose interest or wander off.”
Colombia’s Grade on Implementing the FARC Peace Deal So Far Is a C-Minus
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Q&A
On March 21, the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda held snap elections just weeks after they had been called by Prime Minister Gaston Browne. With major economic issues at stake, Browne’s party routed the opposition. In an email interview, Paget Henry discusses what the elections mean for Antigua and Barbuda.
Snap Elections in Antigua and Barbuda Could Lead to Sweeping Economic Changes
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Q&A
Sweden has one of the most restrictive drug policies in Europe, yet it is still highly popular among Swedes. In an email interview, Henrik Tham describes Sweden’s approach to drugs, how its policy has evolved, and why strong public support “may be a reflection of the type of information” Swedes receive about drugs.
As Drug Laws Loosen Elsewhere, Sweden Keeps a Popular, Zero-Tolerance Approach
Monday, April 23, 2018
Africa Watch
Supporters of detained Shiite leader Ibrahim Zakzaky in Nigeria took to the streets of Abuja this week to demand his release, leading to clashes with security forces that left one person dead. Read up on that and other stories from across the continent in our weekly roundup of Africa news.
Clashes Between Police and Nigerian Shiites Rekindle Fears of Radicalization
Robbie Corey-Boulet Friday, April 20, 2018
Q&A
In March, Tanzania’s government imposed sweeping new regulations restricting online and social media, including requiring an expensive license to run a blog. In an email interview, Jeff Smith and Vincent Mashinji discuss how Tanzania’s government is “promoting authoritarian rule, rather than the rule of law.”
How Tanzania’s Government Is Trying to Dismantle a Free Press ‘Piece by Piece’
Friday, April 20, 2018
Trend Lines Podcast
In this week’s podcast, WPR’s Judah Grunstein, Frederick Deknatel and Omar Rahman discuss American foreign and trade policies in Asia. For the Report, Paul Imison talks with Robbie Corey-Boulet about Mexico’s upcoming presidential election and the enduring challenges posed by corruption and weak rule of law.
Can Mexico’s Faith in Its ‘Disgraced’ Politicians Be Restored?
Friday, April 20, 2018
Q&A
Under Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany has become one of the top five arms exporters in the world by volume, despite significant domestic opposition to the sale of German weapons. In an email interview, Sophia Besch explains what is driving this growth, even as “many German citizens reject arms exports flat out.” Germany’s Arms Exports Have Spiked, Despite Domestic Opposition and Public Scrutiny
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Q&A
In March, Canada announced it would be sending 250 troops and six helicopters to support the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali, which is considered the most dangerous in the world. In an email interview, Simon Palamar discusses the decision and the political debate in Canada over its peacekeeping role.
Canada Commits Peacekeepers to Mali, but Still Falls Short of Trudeau’s Promises
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Q&A
On April 13, Ecuador’s president, Lenin Moreno, announced that two Ecuadorian journalists and their driver had been killed by Marxist rebels, after they were kidnapped near the border with Colombia. In an email interview, Natalie Southwick discusses the state of press freedom and safety in the country.
As Ecuador’s Press Recovers After Correa, Recent Murders Are a Reminder of Risks
Tuesday, April 17, 2018