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Democracy and society

A bold idea to raise the birthrate

Make parenting less torturous

By Anna Louie Sussman

picture alliance / Reuters | Francis Kokoroko

Democracy and society

How Côte d’Ivoire can inspire more women to lead

The country’s political transition opens a window of opportunity for advancing women’s leadership

By Nasseneba Touré Diané, Blerta Cela, Dominique Favre

picture alliance / Reuters | Navesh Chitrakar

Democracy and society

Nepal’s vote of reckoning

The upcoming elections could decide if reform finally outpaces entrenched corruption and instability

By Kamal Dev Bhattarai

picture alliance/dpa/Lehtikuva | Antti Aimo-Koivisto

Democracy and society

Russia devours its own children

From ministers to comedians, Moscow’s sweeping repression shows that visibility and loyalty no longer guarantee immunity from state persecution

By Daria Boll-Palievskaya

picture alliance / Anadolu | Zed Jameson

Democracy and society

Cuba has its back against the wall

As fuel runs dry in Havana, Trump’s blockade risks humanitarian disaster and a dangerous new normal

By Bert Hoffmann

picture alliance / PAP | Pawe³ Supernak

Democracy and society

The pendulum swings back

The Tusk government has made Poland the security anchor of Europe. How long will the pro-EU course last?

By Maria Skóra

picture alliance / SZ Photo | Mike Schmidt

Democracy and society

What progressives must relearn

Freedom is not the absence of constraints, but the collective capacity to shape what comes next

By Claes-Mikael Ståhl

picture alliance / TASS | Kristina Kormilitsyna

Democracy and society

The state that war built

Battlefield success, innovative technology and plans for future warfare mean little if the Kremlin cannot guarantee its own political stability

By Emily Ferris

picture alliance / empics | James Manning

Democracy and society

The end of the boys’ club

The Epstein affair is putting pressure on Keir Starmer. For now, the British prime minister remains in power — but for how long?

By Michèle Auga

picture alliance / Anadolu | Mohamad Daboul

Democracy and society

Syria’s unfinished peace

The latest settlement promises order after chaos. But stability will be fragile unless governance is inclusive and part of a genuine transition

By Hozan Ibrahim