international analysis and commentary

Polarization and progress in US politics

The divisions in American society have grown to record levels in recent years, the result of a process of polarization that has taken place faster than in other democracies. We have heard a lot about "populism," "tribalism," and in general…

Libya: the dilemma of the December elections

Libya observers at home and abroad are hotly debating whether the nation should hold presidential and parliamentary elections as scheduled on December 24. The international community, including most notably the United States, is eager to…

E se la Cina fosse debole e insicura?

L’idea che Xi Jinping sia il più potente leader politico cinese dai tempi di Mao è diventata quasi un luogo comune. Eppure, qualche dubbio dovrebbe venire. E se ci fossero elementi strutturali di debolezza sul piano interno, è logico…