Trump takes a line from ‘world’s coolest dictator’: What a difference a dictator makes. Some world leaders get a rough ride in their Oval Office meetings with Donald Trump – most famously, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who the US president and his entourage publicly disparaged in their now-notorious meeting at the end of February. …
Failed Wagner Group coup leaves Putin humiliated and Belarus dictator Lukashenko more secure — for now: For Vladimir Putin, the abortive Wagner Group coup has been a humiliating affair that exposed his lack of control over military units ostensibly fighting for Russia. It was an episode that the Russian president is unlikely to forgive in …
Rwanda: Paul Kagame is a dictator who clings to power but it’s not just for his own gain: Paul Kagame at a commemoration of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda in April 2023. Mariam Kone/AFP via Getty Images Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame recently said he was looking forward to his retirement after 23 years in power. …
Sudan’s people toppled a dictator – despite the war they’re still working to bring about democratic change: Civilians protest in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, in December 2022. AFP via Getty Images While Sudan’s generals have unleashed indiscriminate destruction and occupation on wide swaths of the capital, Khartoum, neighbourhood resistance committees and pro-democracy activists have stepped up …
What is the difference between a populist and a dictator? The ancient Greeks have answers: A statue of Plato. Richard Panasevich/Shutterstock Giorgia Meloni is Italy’s new prime minister. Her party, Fratelli d’Italia, received 26% of the vote and, as part of a far-right coalition, now controls a majority in both chambers of the legislature. According …
Nicaragua: former revolutionary Daniel Ortega now resembles the dictator he helped overthrow: Nicaraguans go to the polls on Sunday November 7 with former revolutionary leader, Daniel Ortega, hoping to win a fourth consecutive term in office. He’s not leaving much to chance, though. Prominent opposition figures (including presidential candidates) and critics have been imprisoned or …
Philippines: ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, son of reviled dictator Ferdinand, runs in what could be a race of two dynasties in 2022 election: There are still more than six months to go before the next Philippines election in May 2022, but the horse-trading and behind-the-scenes machinations are hotting up. Incumbent president, the right-wing strongman Rodrigo Duterte, is …
Chad’s deposed dictator Hissène Habré passed away in prison: here’s the legacy of his trial: GettyImages Chad’s former head of state, Hissène Habré, who has died at the age of 79, was serving a life sentence in Senegal following his conviction for war crimes, crimes against humanity and torture. Habré was tried by a specially …
Roman Protasevich: dissident Belarus journalist whose defiance enraged Europe’s last dictator: Roman Protasevich doesn’t look like much of a threat to Europe’s last dictator. A fresh-faced 26-year-old, he has never been elected to public office nor has he stood as a candidate. What this blogger and co-recipient of the European parliament’s Sakharov prize for freedom …
Belarus election: contested result sparks massive unrest as Europe’s ‘last dictator’ claims victory: Alexander Lukashenko, the authoritarian leader of Belarus who came to power in 1994, has won his sixth presidential election. The preliminary results show a landslide victory, giving Lukashenko 80% of the vote and his main opponent, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, just 10%. Nationwide protests …
Moment of truth for Chadian dictator convicted of crimes against humanity: Former Chadian President Hissène Habré defiant as he leaves court in Dakar in 2005. Reuters/Aliou Mbaye On May 30, 2016 an ad hoc tribunal in Dakar found the former Chadian head of state Hissène Habré guilty of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and torture. …
Is Trump a dictator in the making?: After using his presidential campaign to denigrate women, Latinos, Muslims, African Americans, war veterans and the disabled – among others – Donald Trump is rounding off the election by attacking some of the fundamental institutions of American democracy. After his final TV debate with Hillary Clinton, when asked …