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Browse resources on authoritarian sharp power and its effects on the integrity of institutions and globalized spaces.
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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.
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.
Publication Date: September 6, 2022
Chinese Influence in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Author: Tijana Cvjetićanin
The Chinese Communist Party strives to cultivate cultural, political, and academic ties in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These efforts are more pronounced in the Republika Srpska, where the authorities tend to adopt a pro-Russian and anti-Western foreign policy stance.
Publication Date: September 1, 2022
Chinese Influence in Serbia
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Europe, Serbia
Author: Stefan Vladisavljev
Chinese influence in Serbia is spread through various means. The most conspicuous and successful tools have been economic cooperation between Serbia and China, activities of the Chinese embassy, bilateral visits, “mask and vaccine diplomacy,” and cooperation with Serbian media.
Publication Date: August 30, 2022
Chinese Influence in Bulgaria
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Europe, Bulgaria
Author: Ruslan Stefanov
China’s objective is to build an influential pro-Beijing lobby and prevent Bulgaria from joining the group of China’s outspoken critics. In the absence of any substantial initiative as the 16/17+1 format peters out, old-style Chinese propaganda is unlikely to sway many Bulgarians.
Publication Date: August 29, 2022
Chinese Influence in North Macedonia
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Europe, North Macedonia
Author: Ana Krstinovska
North Macedonia is a member of several international organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and NATO, where the vote of each country counts. Thus, China seeks to ensure North Macedonia’s friendship, or at least neutrality, on resolutions tabled by Western governments.
Source: Foreign Policy Research Institute
Publication Date: August 28, 2022
Political Training Under the Belt and Road Initiative: A Look into the Chinese Communist Party’s First Party School in Africa
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Mozambique
Author: Raphael Chan
Through Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere Leadership School, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) allows foreign political parties to learn from its experience in governance and development while cultivating foreign partnerships that will advance CCP foreign policy goals.
Publication Date: August 25, 2022
Chinese Influence in Slovakia
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Europe, Slovakia
Author: Filip Šebok
China’s policies toward Slovakia have included protecting China’s core interests on issues such as Taiwan and Tibet; creating a positive image of China, Chinese foreign policy, and Sino-Slovak relations; and establishing links with political and business leaders to induce China-friendly policies.
Publication Date: August 24, 2022
Chinese Influence in Montenegro
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Europe, Montenegro
Author: Milica Kovačević
China exerts influence in Montenegro through economic clout, primarily through huge debt for construction projects that will burden Montenegro for years. China’s investments in Montenegro benefit from a loophole that allows them to escape public scrutiny, competitive bidding, and national regulations.
Publication Date: August 23, 2022
Chinese Influence in Greece
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Europe
Author: Plamen Tonchev
China’s strategic objectives in Greece are to make the most of the country’s position in the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative; win over Greek political, business, and academic leaders and ensure Athens’ backing of China; and exert influence over the EU through “friendly” member states.
Source: Atlantic Council
Publication Date: August 23, 2022
Chinese Discourse Power: Ambitions and Reality in the Digital Domain
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Global
Author: Kenton Thibaut
For the Chinese Communist Party, gaining discourse power translates into increased geopolitical power by creating consensus around an alternative, China-led international order—one that privileges state sovereignty over civil liberties, and subordinates human rights to state security.
Publication Date: August 22, 2022
Chinese Influence in Albania
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Europe, Albania
Author: Bledar Feta
China has inserted itself into Albania’s economy and politics via major investments in air transportation, energy, agriculture, and mining, creating new avenues for leverage. Collaboration with key economic players and networks in turn creates dependencies through which China gains systematic influence.
Source: International Republican Institute
Publication Date: August 21, 2022
Foreign Authoritarian Influence in Latin America: Iran’s Growing Reach
Authoritarian Country: Iran
Affected Region: Latin America and the Caribbean, Venezuela
Author: McKayla Swan
Iran has escalated its influence in Latin America through increased diplomatic and economic ties, especially with the Maduro regime in Venezuela. President Ebrahim Raisi aims to broaden Iran’s global favorability, exemplified by a news channel, cultural centers, and land-lease deals in Venezuela.
Publication Date: August 19, 2022
The Observer View on Opposing Saudi Arabia’s Sportswashing
Authoritarian Country: Saudi Arabia
Affected Region: Global
The Saudi regime and its crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, are increasingly using international sport to whitewash the kingdom’s reputation for systemic human rights abuses.
Publication Date: August 17, 2022
Chinese Influence in Hungary
Authoritarian Country: China
Affected Region: Europe, Hungary
Author: Tamás Matura
Although the Hungarian government has supported Beijing on some controversial international issues, China does not proactively conduct systematic malign influence operations in Hungary. The rule and achievements of the CCP offer an attractive model to the ruling party and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.