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Resources
Browse resources on authoritarian sharp power and its effects on the integrity of institutions and globalized spaces.
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Source: Voice of America
Publication Date: March 6, 2023
South Africa’s ANC Received Big Donation from Russian Oligarch-Linked Firm
Authoritarian Country: Russia
Affected Region: Sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa
Author: Kate Bartlett
The African National Congress, South Africa’s ruling party, received a large donation from a mining company used by a Russian oligarch to evade sanctions. Critics say this gift is a bribe in exchange for the ANC’s support for the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Source: The Guardian
Publication Date: February 12, 2023
Australia Foils Iran Surveillance Plot and Vows to Bring Foreign Interference ‘Into the Light’
Authoritarian Country: Iran
Affected Region: Asia-Pacific, Australia
Author: Daniel Hurst
The Iranian government attempted to surveille dissidents and members of the diaspora living in Australia in order to threaten relatives or protesters back in Iran. Iran’s goal was to prevent criticism of the regime from Iranians living abroad.
Source: BBC
Publication Date: February 6, 2023
Disney Removes Simpsons ‘Forced Labour’ Episode in Hong Kong
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: North America, United States
Author: Nicholas Yong
An episode of American TV show The Simpsons was blocked in Hong Kong because of references to the human rights violations and forced labor camps in Xinjiang. American companies have had a tendency to comply with Chinese government demands to retain access to the Chinese market.
Source: All Africa
Publication Date: February 1, 2023
Africa: Taking a Toll – Lessons from Nairobi’s Expressway
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya
Author: Msingathi Sipuka
A new Chinese-built highway was billed as a benefit for citizens in Nairobi. However, an exploitative toll agreement benefitted the Chinese operators and made the expressway inaccessible for Kenyans.
Source: The Guardian
Publication Date: January 31, 2023
Saudi Arabia Tourism Body’s Sponsorship of 2023 Women’s World Cup Condemned by Human Rights Groups
Authoritarian Country: Saudi Arabia
Affected Region: Asia-Pacific, Australia, New Zealand
Author: Mostafa Rachwani
Saudi Arabia paid millions of dollars to become a sponsor of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Organizations have called this a ploy to distract from Saudi women’s lack of political and economic rights in the kingdom, acting to whitewash their reputation on the world stage.
Source: Gulf International Forum
Publication Date: January 4, 2023
Saudi Investment in Africa Surges as Iran’s Influence Sputters
Authoritarian Country: Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Affected Region: Senegal, Mali, Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Djibouti, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Mozambique, Guinea, Benin, The Gambia
Author: Jonathan Fenton-Harvey
In an effort to diversify its investments and counter Iran, Saudi Arabia developed new relationships across Africa. For the Saudis, Emiratis, and Iranians, African economies present an opportunity to develop political influence outside of the Middle East, while reaping Africa’s natural resources.
Source: New York Times
Publication Date: December 23, 2022
Putin Wants Fealty, and He’s Found It in Africa
Authoritarian Country: Russia
Affected Region: Sub-Saharan Africa, Central African Republic
Author: Roger Cohen
Kremlin-backed Wagner Group mercenaries have worked closely with the Central African Republic’s pro-Russia president. The Wagner Group is working to exploit mineral and economic resources in the country and ensure that the CAR remains in Russia’s favor.
Source: Time Magazine
Publication Date: December 20, 2022
Autocrats Are Weaponizing Globalization. Ukraine Is Where They Must Be Stopped
Authoritarian Country: China, Iran, Russia
Affected Region: Global
Author: Peter Pomerantsev
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine showcased a myriad of projections of sharp power, from Iran selling new drone technology to Chinese economic support for Russian oil. This combined threat emphasizes the need for democracies to push back against this exploitation of interconnected global systems.
Source: Henry Jackson Society
Publication Date: December 11, 2022
An Investigation of China’s Confucius Institutes in the UK
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Europe, United Kingdom
Author: Sam Dunning, Anson Kwong
The United Kingdom is home to 30 Confucius Institutes that operate under the umbrella of prestigious universities – more than any other country. These academic organizations are part of the CCP’s propaganda system, integrated into universities, to shape perceptions of China.
Source: The Guardian
Publication Date: December 7, 2022
Chinese Students in UK Told to ‘Resist Distorting’ China’s Covid Policies
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Europe, United Kingdom
Author: Daniel Boffey
Chinese students studying in Manchester, UK reported threatening comments made by the Chinese consul general in response to their protests against China’s Zero Covid policies. The Chinese government is taking steps to intimidate international students and influence their behavior.
Source: Democracy for the Arab World Now
Publication Date: December 4, 2022
How China Is Exporting ‘High-Tech Authoritarianism’ to the Middle East
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Middle East and North Africa, Egypt
Author: Frederick Deknatel, Joshua Kurlantzick
China has exported its internet surveillance and censorship laws to the Middle East, encouraging local authoritarians to adopt similar laws. In Egypt, the Sisi regime has been particularly strong in trying to court Chinese technology investment and replicate strong state control of the internet.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Publication Date: November 28, 2022
Qatar’s Crackdown on Critics of Iran Regime in the Spotlight
Authoritarian Country: Iran
Affected Region: Global
Author: Seth J. Frantzman
Iran coordinated with the Qatari government to crack down on fans hoping to use the World Cup as a platform to spread awareness of the protest movement in the wake of Mahsa Amini’s death. Critics of the Iranian regime were specifically targeted throughout the World Cup.
Source: Eurasia Daily Monitor
Publication Date: November 7, 2022
Iran Expanding Its Influence in the Muslim Regions of Russia
Authoritarian Country: Iran
Affected Region: Eurasia, Russia
Author: Paul Goble
Iran is expanding its influence in Muslim regions of Russia, mainly through economic agreements. Iran aims to circumvent Western sanctions and gain added favorability of Muslim citizens in Russia.
Source: Brookings Institution
Publication Date: October 16, 2022
Russian Disinformation in Africa: What’s Sticking and What’s Not
Authoritarian Country: Russia
Affected Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
Author: Mary Blakenship, Aloysius Uche Ordu
Russia has targeted Africa with disinformation campaigns meant to exploit common grievances in African audiences. These tactics, meant to delegitimatize Ukraine and its allies, do not seem to have the desired effect, as African Twitter users do not commonly communicate in line with these narratives.
Source: Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Publication Date: October 4, 2022
Suppressing the Truth and Spreading Lies: How the CCP is Influencing Solomon Islands’ Information Environment
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Asia-Pacific, Solomon Islands
Author: Blake Johnson et al.
Following the November 2021 Honiara riots and the March 2022 leaking of the China–Solomon Islands security agreement, the CCP used propaganda and disinformation to push false narratives in an effort to shape the Solomon Islands public’s perception of security issues and foreign partners.