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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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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

View Resource: South Africa’s ANC Received Big Donation from Russian Oligarch-Linked Firm

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

View Resource: Australia Foils Iran Surveillance Plot and Vows to Bring Foreign Interference ‘Into the Light’

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

View Resource: Disney Removes Simpsons ‘Forced Labour’ Episode in Hong Kong

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

View Resource: Africa: Taking a Toll – Lessons from Nairobi’s Expressway

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

View Resource: Saudi Arabia Tourism Body’s Sponsorship of 2023 Women’s World Cup Condemned by Human Rights Groups

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

View Resource: Saudi Investment in Africa Surges as Iran’s Influence Sputters

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

View Resource: Putin Wants Fealty, and He’s Found It in Africa

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

View Resource: Autocrats Are Weaponizing Globalization. Ukraine Is Where They Must Be Stopped

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

View Resource: An Investigation of China’s Confucius Institutes in the UK

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

View Resource: Chinese Students in UK Told to ‘Resist Distorting’ China’s Covid Policies

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

View Resource: How China Is Exporting ‘High-Tech Authoritarianism’ to the Middle East

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

View Resource: Qatar’s Crackdown on Critics of Iran Regime in the Spotlight

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

View Resource: Iran Expanding Its Influence in the Muslim Regions of Russia

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

View Resource: Russian Disinformation in Africa: What’s Sticking and What’s Not

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.

View Resource: Suppressing the Truth and Spreading Lies: How the CCP is Influencing Solomon Islands’ Information Environment

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.