Key news and views on democracy at home and abroad.

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** Russian influence in Nigeria, Regime change in Bangladesh, Riots in the UK, and Ukraine turns the tables
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** Key news and views on democracy at home and abroad
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RENEW DEMOCRACY INITIATIVE

AUG 15

If you’ve been distracted by domestic politics over the past couple weeks, it’s understandable. Kamala Harris launched a US tour met by throngs of enthusiastic Americans ([link removed]) ; named her VP pick, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ([link removed]) ; and has begun to see national polls ([link removed]) shifting in her direction.

But amid all this stateside political intrigue, the rest of the world has witnessed protests, regime change, and corruption in some unusual places. Unrest has been more the norm than the exception this summer. If you’ve missed it, never fear: we cover it all in this issue to get you up to speed. —Melissa Amour, Managing Editor


** Who’s really behind Nigeria’s protests?
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Nationwide protests across Nigeria this month are ostensibly to decry the rising cost of living and “bad governance ([link removed]) .” But the presence of protesters waving Russian flags and chanting pro-Putin slogans in the country’s northern cities ([link removed]) suggests there may be something more afoot.

First, it’s important to note that Nigeria’s protests are widely organic, with similar themes as other protest movements across the globe this year. They began ([link removed]) in response to soaring costs of food and transport, a bleak situation that has helped push more than 10 million Nigerians into poverty, according to ([link removed]) the World Bank. Protesters blame the crisis on the policies of President Bola Tinubu.

But far be it from Russia to let a good crisis go to waste. In recent years, Russian operatives ([link removed]) have been busy spreading pro-Russia propaganda on social media in some African countries, and Russian flags have been spotted among protesters throughout the continent. And then there’s this:

“The policies that are being implemented by the Bola Tinubu government have the backing of Western countries, especially the institutions of [the International Monetary Fund] and World Bank. So, when people in an organic manner endear themselves to Russia, it is perhaps an indication that they’re not happy with the policies that were supported by those countries.” —Kabiru Adamu ([link removed]) , security analyst and managing director of Beacon Security and Intelligence

Western nations, including the US, have said Russia’s influence ([link removed]) could set back democratic progress in Africa. Taking no chances, Nigerian authorities have warned the protesters that raising Russian flags is treasonous and cautioned them against staging a coup.

READ THIS TOO: Thousands join opposition rally in Slovakia against government's 'attack on democracy' ([link removed]) —EuroNews


** Youth power in Bangladesh
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Young people are flexing their political muscles in Bangladesh, where student protests led its long-serving prime minister, Sheikh Hasina ([link removed]) , to resign and flee the country.

The student demonstrators successfully negotiated with President Mohammed Shahabuddin to form an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus ([link removed]) .

Yunus was sworn in ([link removed]) last Thursday with two goals: restoring law and order after weeks of violent protests and holding elections to replace his caretaker administration with a permanent one.

Meanwhile, Hasina, self-exiled in India, is calling for an investigation ([link removed]) of the deaths ([link removed]) of hundreds of protesters. The student activists are pointing a finger squarely back at the autocratic former prime minister, claiming she is responsible and demanding she be put on trial.

READ THIS TOO: Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida to resign, paving way for new leader ([link removed]) —Reuters


** Thailand party is over
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Thailand’s Constitutional Court has banned ([link removed]) its most popular political party, Move Forward, for proposing to amend the law ([link removed]) against defaming the country’s royal family. The court ruled it was a violation of the constitution, but is it just blatant political retribution? Yup, pretty much.

“While certainly a shake-up for Thai politics, this ruling is also just the latest example of Thailand’s powerful conservative establishment—an informal coalition of royalists, the military brass, and other elites—targeting a party that threatens its power.” —World Politics Review

That’s not all. The Constitutional Court has also dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ([link removed]) for supposed ethics violations, creating more political uncertainty in a country with a long history of it. But the bombshell court decisions are expected to have the reverse effect, by increasing calls for reform ([link removed]) rather than quelling them.

READ THIS TOO: Banning the opposition won’t save Thailand’s unpopular regime ([link removed]) —The Economist

Stay up-to-date ([link removed]) and discover ways to participate as we fight to protect democracy.
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** Fake news, real violence
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The UK has witnessed its worst riots ([link removed]) in over a decade in the wake of a knife attack ([link removed]) that resulted in the deaths of three young girls on July 29.

Fueled by false claims ([link removed]) on social media about the identity of the attacker as an Islamist migrant, the protests took a violent turn. British authorities have arrested more than 1,000 people ([link removed]) following weeks of arson and looting ([link removed]) as well as racist attacks against Muslims and migrants.

“Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with pledging ‘no letup’ in legal action against rioters, has promised that people will be prosecuted for their actions online — and a handful have been convicted of inciting racial hatred. But there’s seemingly little the government can do to hold accountable the social media platforms themselves. These riots, xenophobic outbursts turbocharged by technology, were only a matter of time. The truly scary thing is how little we can do to stop them.” —Hibaq Farah ([link removed]) , technology reporter and columnist

READ THIS TOO: Don’t blame the UK’s far-right riots on social media alone ([link removed]) —World Politics Review


** Ukraine turns the tables
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Ukrainian forces are advancing further into Russia’s Kursk region, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In the week since the start of its surprise cross-border incursion ([link removed]) , Ukrainian forces have gained control over nearly 400 square miles of Russian territory, captured enemy soldiers, and destroyed a Russian fighter jet.

“Ukraine is proving that it can indeed restore justice ([link removed]) and is ensuring the exact kind of pressure that is needed – pressure on the aggressor," Zelensky said. The aggressor isn’t taking it very well. Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed a “strong response ([link removed]) ,” but skeptical Russians won’t unsee their leader’s weakness and lack of organization.

“War is hell, but no one should be surprised that Russian civilians in Kursk face a greater threat to safety and property from Russian forces than Ukrainian ones. Putin’s undisciplined army was sent to loot, murder, and die in Ukraine. Now, in Russia. He could not care less. Beyond immediate military objectives, this bold Ukrainian incursion exposes the fragility of Russia’s defenses and regime.” —RDI Chairman Garry Kasparov ([link removed])


** Election threats: 2024 edition
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As we approach the final stretch of the 2024 campaign, government watchdog group Common Cause ([link removed]) is tracking instances of voter intimidation ([link removed]) , harassment of election workers ([link removed]) , and continued misinformation ([link removed]) and disinformation ([link removed]) campaigns that could threaten the integrity of the November poll.

Even some schools ([link removed]) , which have long served as polling places, are opting out this year over concerns about potential violence.

A relatively novel threat is voter roll purges ([link removed]) . These attempts to clean up outdated registration lists are taking place in Arizona ([link removed]) , Ohio ([link removed]) , Wyoming ([link removed]) , and other states. But voting rights experts warn there are serious flaws. Overzealous officials have been known to accidentally purge eligible voters, and systems can also be hacked, as recently happened in Georgia ([link removed]) . Our advice? Double-check your registration.

READ THIS TOO: Is Trump setting the stage to challenge the election? ([link removed]) —The Atlantic
* Harris, Walz and spouses to tour Pennsylvania by bus ahead of Democratic convention ([link removed]) —CBS News
* Reclaiming liberalism, in a time of peril and hope ([link removed]) —The xxxxxx
* FBI probing alleged Iran hack attempts targeting Trump, Biden camps ([link removed]) —The Washington Post
* The global race to control AI ([link removed]) —The New York Times
* ‘Two potential crimes' in Trump’s reported Egyptian cash scandal: Attorney ([link removed]) —Newsweek
* ‘No Kings Act’: Wyden, Merkley join in legislation to ‘restore accountability for presidents who violate law’ ([link removed]) —KTVZ
* Federal labor charges filed against Donald Trump and Elon Musk after threatening workers on X interview ([link removed]) —CNN
* Why populism and authoritarianism go hand in hand ([link removed]) —The UnPopulist
* Former Colorado clerk Tina Peters convicted in election interference case ([link removed]) —The Hill
* Bipartisan task force urges lawyers to defend America’s democracy and election integrity ([link removed]) —PBS

Hey Topline readers, you remember the drill. We want to hear your reactions to today’s stories. We’ll include some of your replies in this space in our next issue of The Topline.

Click here ([link removed]) to share your take, and don’t forget to include your name and state. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
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