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  Why Are Some Democracies More Stable Than Others? Two countries can both call themselves democracies. Both may hold elections. Both may have constitutions, parliaments, courts, political parties and newspapers. Yet one democracy can survive economic crises, unpopular governments, corruption scandals, wars and bitter elections without threatening the political system itself. The other may descend into constitutional crisis after a disputed election, experience military intervention, see courts captured by politicians or move gradually toward authoritarian government. Why? The answer is that democratic stability depends on much more than elections. Stable democracies usually combine several reinforcing characteristics: strong political institutions; credible rule of law; peaceful transfers of power; professional public administration; economic opportunity; relatively inclusive political systems; active civil society; credible information institutions; political cultures that accept...

  THE SAHEL Russia and the Sahel: Security Partner or New Dependency? Assessing Military Cooperation, Political Influence, Resource Interests and Public Perceptions Russia's rapid expansion across the Sahel represents one of the most consequential shifts in African geopolitics in decades. Only a few years ago, France was the dominant external security partner in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Thousands of French troops operated across the region under Operation Barkhane. The United States maintained intelligence and drone facilities in Niger. European forces provided training. The United Nations deployed a large peacekeeping mission in Mali. That architecture has largely collapsed. Mali expelled French forces and later demanded the departure of the UN mission. Burkina Faso ended France's military deployment. Niger expelled both French and American forces after its 2023 coup. At the same time, the three military-led governments created the Alliance of Sahel States, or AES, and be...