Venezuelans are used to seeing private political conversations thrust into the public sphere. The mischief-maker most known for airing gossip is Mario Silva, the chavista shock jock and host of the state TV daily commentary show "The Razorblade." Silva has long made a practice of broadcasting the apparently compromising conversations of politicians that displeased the late President Hugo Chávez. Chávez would even frequently lend his support by calling in; sometimes he even appeared on the air.

Read on

Anna Nemtsova analyzes the possible political motives behinds Russia's arrest of an alleged U.S. spy. 

Juan Nagel looks at the brutal economic realities facing the new government in Venezuela. 

Eli Dourado argues that authoritarian countries are using the language of democracy to conceal their less-than-democratic aspirations for the global internet. 

Mohamed El Dahshan covers the latest plot twist in the ongoing IMF-Egypt soap opera. 

Arianne Swieca explains why last week's attack on a gay rights rally in Georgia bodes poorly for that country's future as a democracy. 

Mohamed Eljarh writes about the Libyan activists who are embarking on non-violent crusade to counter intolerance and extremism. 

Seema Shah takes a critical look at the move by Kenya's newly elected leaders to shut down the International Criminal Court's efforts to bring them to justice for crimes against humanity. 

And now for this week's recommended reads: 

Reporting from Syria for Time, Rania Abouzeid wonders whether the rebels may be on their way to losing the war. 

The Atlantic Council's Duncan Pickard analyzes the political dynamics behind the finalization of Tunisia's draft constitution. Mahmoud Hamad assesses the evolving role of Egypt's active and influential judiciary. 

Democracy Digest argues that the United States and European Union must be consistent in their defense of citizen rights. 

Borzou Daragahi reports in the Financial Times on the rivalry between the different Egyptian political groups vying to represent Islam. Thomas Carothers writes for the Carnegie Endowment in defense of Egypt's disorganized opposition. 

In The Atlantic, Stewart M. Patrick proposes eating bugs as a way to end global hunger. 

The Transnational Institute assesses the impact of Burma's land reform process on ethnic minority groups. 

Al Arabiya reports that 200 Salafists were arrested in Tunisia after clashes triggered by a government ban of an Islamist gathering. 

In Foreign Policy, Patrick Boehler reports on how Burmese insurgent groups are using Sina Weibo as a public relations platform. Dustin Roasa writes on Burma's journalism and media future. 

Following the 2003 Rose Revolution nearly ten years ago, Georgia has been presented primarily as a transition success story. The government under President Mikheil Saakashvili undertook massive reforms to purge the country of its post-Soviet legacy of corruption. Georgia has become a staunch Western ally, has NATO aspirations, and is one of the largest non-NATO contributors of soldiers to Afghanistan (given its population). It's true that President Saakashvili showed questionable political judgment and perceptibly authoritarian instincts at times. But his finest moment came when it mattered most. In October 2012 his political party lost parliamentary elections to billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili's Georgian Dream coalition. Instead of contesting the voters' choice, Saakashvili graciously conceded defeat -- and the Caucasus country experienced the first peaceful transfer of power via the ballot box in its history.

Read on

The people of Libya were invariably forced to express their support for Muammar Qaddafi for over 40 years in order to ensure their personal safety. The intolerant and authoritarian nature of Qaddafi's regime constrained Libyan's political, civil, and religious rights by curtailing their freedom of expression and thought, freedom of association, and free access to information.

Read on

Last week, the Permanent Mission of Kenya to the United Nations submitted a letter to the U.N. Security Council (UNSC), asking for the "immediate termination" of the International Criminal Court (ICC) cases against President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto. They are currently scheduled to begin trial this July and May, respectively, for their alleged roles in inciting ethnic violence in the aftermath of the 2007 election and are being charged with crimes against humanity.

Read on

Venezuela remains mired in a political and economic crisis that shows no signs of letting up. But while street protests, soaring inflation, scarcity, and skyrocketing crime are massive headaches, the government can count on still-high oil prices to soothe the pain a bit.

The question that begs asking is: How will Venezuela maintain stability if oil prices drop?

Read on

Lately I've found myself thinking back to those horrible American soap operas (the "Bold and the Beautiful," etc.) that my late grandmother used to watch. She managed to find interest in what seemed to me like a sickeningly repetitive story (love, betrayal, and borderline incestuous relationships). Each season introduced new protagonists and guest stars who frolicked alongside the core cast. This ensured, for lack of a new storyline, some diversity of faces and names to keep the audience entertained (or at least mildly interested).

Read on

In a rebuttal to a recent article by Dalibor Rohac and Marian L. Tupy, Christina Chang argues that the World Bank's Doing Business report needs to be reformed.

Anna Nemtsova reports from Moscow's Bolotnaya Square, where opposition activists are returning to demand that President Putin step down.

David Scott Mathieson calls for Burma's president, Thein Sein, to put the military on a leash.

Juan Nagel explains to Venezuela's new president why tackling inflation is crucial.

Daniel Lansberg-Rodriguez offers some free advice to Arab Spring democrats on the do's and don'ts of constitution-writing.

Joshua Foust reviews Philip Shishkin's new book on the tumultuous politics of Central Asia.

In our latest collaboration with Princeton's Innovations for Successful Societies, Gabriel Kuris details Latvia's efforts to crack down on corruption.

Meriem Dhaouadi assails the persistent racism against dark-skinned Africans in Tunisia.

Mohamed Eljarh warns that by bowing to militiamen that Libya is seriously undermining its fledgling democracy. 

And now for this week's recommended reads:

Writing in The Atlantic, Thor Halvorssen reveals how the Human Rights Foundation pulled off its Argo-esque plan to rescue Bahraini dissident blogger Ali Abdulemam.

The International Crisis Group assesses the impact of the Syrian war on its neighbor Lebanon.

The International Center for Transitional Justice hails the conviction of former Guatemalan dictator José Efrain Ríos Montt on genocide charges. In the photo above, Efrain Ríos Montt listens to his sentence being read out.

A United Nations affiliate, offers guidelines for foreign businesses investing in Burma on how to consult with affected groups.

Writing at Dr. Sean's Diary, Seán Hanley argues that technocrats are threatening democracy in Eastern Europe.

In Dawn, Murtaza Haider praises Pakistanis for making it to the polls in spite of well-founded fears of violence.

Writing for Tunisia Live, Roua Khlifi explains how Tunisian Sufis are safeguarding their traditions in the face of rising threats from ultraconservative Wahhabi Muslims.

And finally, be sure to check out Bird of Chaman, Flower of the Khyber: Riding Shotgun from Karachi to Kabul in a Pakistani Truck, FP's new ebook, detailing a reporter's wild journey in the back of a Pakistani truck from Karachi to Kabul through the treacherous Afghanistan-Pakistan borderlands. It's available here and on Amazon.