Global Scans · Democracy · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Society is expressing its discontent with current democratic processes that leave the elites struggling to convince their voters of their good intentions and competencies. Read on to see how democracy is offering both great opportunities and risks while this period of volatility shakes out.

• [New] A global rise in authoritarian regimes has put many democratic institutions under threat, resulting in a decline in the respect of human rights and civil liberties around the world and a rise in attacks and assassinations of human rights defenders. cafod.org.uk
• [New] The United States has accused Rwanda of driving instability in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, warning that a Rwanda-backed advance by the M23 rebel group threatens to derail a U.S.-brokered peace effort. OkayAfrica
• [New] Turkey will no longer consider the Syrian Democratic Forces to be a terrorist organization if the SDF hands over key resources and infrastructure to the Syrian government as part of its integration into the Syrian state. Critical Threats
• [New] Continuing militancy threatened the ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea saw election-related violence, and anti-corruption protests in the Philippines were widespread, but divided. Acled
• [New] The balance between federal enforcement operations (Agency Politicization, Human Rights, Sub-national Autonomy) and community resistance (Contentious Politics, Civil Society Oversight) will continue affecting multiple democracy factors. RealTime DemTrends
• [New] France's social security budget, which covers healthcare, pensions, and welfare, faced a critical parliamentary vote on Tuesday that could leave a 30-billion-euro shortfall. Modern Diplomacy
• [New] Support might be directed toward Myanmar's democratic forces, including the National Unity Government, ethnic political organizations, and exiled civil society groups. https://www.asianconfluence.org/
• [New] In fast-growing countries such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the absolute number of young people entering the labour force each year is already very high and will continue to rise. World ranking sites
• [New] The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which the US Congress is expected to vote on in the coming days, demands that the Iraqi federal government take credible steps toward reducing the operational capacity of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias in order to receive US security funding in 2026. Critical Threats
• [New] Promotion AI as an economic boon - through public administration automation and military dual use - within an unregulated environment, and without dedicated funding for oversight, risks disrupting key sectors and services that sustain Canadian democracy, the very foundation of Canada Strong. The Conversation
• [New] The US should push to make election manipulation part of the broader agenda at forums like the G7 and OECD, ensuring that threats related to AI persuasion are treated not as isolated tech problems but as collective security challenges. MIT Technology Review
• [New] If the US does not move fast, the next presidential election in 2028, or even the midterms in 2026, could be won by whoever automates persuasion first. MIT Technology Review
• [New] Democratic lawmakers warn that cancelling Energy Department funding risks driving up utility bills and slowing economic growth at a time when new data centers and factories are expected to increase electricity demand for the first time in decades. NPR
• [New] Two-thirds of global population growth by 2050 will take place in cities and will be concentrated in seven countries: India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia. The Joint Research Centre: EU Science Hub
• [New] Sidelining human rights and democracy could embolden autocratic leaders and leave the U.S. with little leverage to address abuses or promote reform. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] Taiwan is seeking to strengthen its defences to deter China, which claims the democratic island is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it. ST
• [New] Safeguarding fundamental rights in the digital age will determine the future of constitutional democracy in India. Legal Service India - Articles
• [New] Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government plans to adopt a new cybersecurity strategy next month that calls for necessary measures to address foreign threats such as election interference. null
• [New] The Beyond Growth Conference Espana will be a space for democratic deliberation for a new economic model based on caring for people and the planet. Degrowth

Last updated: 14 December 2025