The trouble for democracy does not come from Beijing, or from globalisation, or from abroad, or, in Britain, from immigration or from Europe. It resides at home.
A scandal in Georgia over the country's largest opposition TV station has polarised the country, raising pointed questions about the motives of governments past and present.
Grandiose urban development projects and international mega-events are ideal opportunities for authoritarian leaders to flaunt their power – and provide their associates with lucrative construction contracts.
Conspiracy theories have permeated Russia’s education space, where they are intended not only to shape knowledge but to secure the political loyalty of Russia’s youth.
The sanctions knife cuts both ways – rallying around the flag, and regime change.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili's decision on 4 November 2014 to dismiss Defence Minister Irakli Alasania provoked an immediate reaction both in and outside the country.
EU accession might be said to have ignited the Ukraine crisis. But it's still a long way off.
The crisis in Ukraine put the Azerbaijani government in an uncomfortable position.
Natural gas diplomacy is rather like gunboat diplomacy – only effective if the other side has no gunboats.
Why did the political crown fall into the hands of Poroshenko? How will he manage Ukraine’s domestic and external pressures?
President Poroshenko has asked for increased presidential powers, which are the opposite of what the Euromaidan protests were about.
The issue of language and politics has long been a problem in Ukraine. Recent developments and unrelenting Russian propaganda have made the problem centre-stage once more.