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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: Center for European Policy Analysis

Publication Date: November 12, 2023

Russia’s Hand Seen in Moldovan Local Elections

Authoritarian Country: Russia

Affected Region: Europe, Moldova

Author: Marija Golubeva

View Resource: Russia’s Hand Seen in Moldovan Local Elections

Candidates from Moldova’s Chance party were banned from the November 2023 elections for accepting laundered Russian funds. Through strategic investments, Russia has employed regionalization and strategic ambiguity to sow distrust in Moldova’s central government and democratic institutions.

Source: Center for European Policy Analysis

Publication Date: August 22, 2023

Georgia Plays Footsie With the Authoritarian Bloc

Authoritarian Country: China, Russia

Affected Region: Eurasia, Georgia

Author: Irina Arabidze

View Resource: Georgia Plays Footsie With the Authoritarian Bloc

Georgia recently entered into a strategic partnership with China, continuing an apparent shift away from the West and towards authoritarian actors China and Russia. Georgia’s strategic location along key supply routes to Ukraine and energy pipelines to Europe raises particular concerns.

Source: Jamestown Foundation

Publication Date: August 18, 2023

Geopolitical Surprise In The Caucasus: Georgia Declares A Strategic Partnership With China

Authoritarian Country: China

Affected Region: Eurasia, Georgia

Author: Beka Chedia

View Resource: Geopolitical Surprise In The Caucasus: Georgia Declares A Strategic Partnership With China

Georgia has forged a strategic partnership with China after years of closeness with Western partners. China’s increasing influence in Georgia, particularly through investment in key strategic infrastructure, threatens Georgian democracy and the potential for rapprochement with NATO.

Source: Centro Latinoamericano de Investigación Periodística

Publication Date: August 6, 2023

Rosatom, Russia’s Nuclear Agency, and its Information Strategy to Win Bids in Latin America

Authoritarian Country: Russia

Affected Region: Latin America and the Caribbean, Bolivia, Nicaragua

Author: Pablo Medina et. al.

View Resource: Rosatom, Russia’s Nuclear Agency, and its Information Strategy to Win Bids in Latin America

As Russia’s nuclear agency, Rosatom, ramped up investment in Latin America, leaders signed agreements to strengthen their “digital communications strategies” and Russia-positive content has begun to appear in local media. Rosatom’s consultants have also intervened to sway local election results.

Source: New York Times

Publication Date: August 4, 2023

How a U.S. Tech Mogul Used Nonprofits to Sow Chinese Propaganda

Authoritarian Country: China

Affected Region: Sub-Saharan Africa, North America, United States, Europe, United Kingdom, Latin America and the Caribbean, Brazil, South Africa, Zambia, Ghana

Author: Mara Hvistendahl et. al.

View Resource: How a U.S. Tech Mogul Used Nonprofits to Sow Chinese Propaganda

An American donor with ties to Chinese state media has funneled money through nonprofit organizations to ultimately promote Chinese talking points within leftist activist groups, think tanks and media outlets worldwide.

Source: The Diplomat

Publication Date: August 4, 2023

A Warm July in China-Nicaragua Relations

Authoritarian Country: China

Affected Region: Latin America and the Caribbean, Nicaragua

Author: Ladislav Charouz

View Resource: A Warm July in China-Nicaragua Relations

Nicaragua has undertaken several rounds of negotiations on a free trade agreement with China, which was followed by new cooperation agreements playing to Beijing’s favor. This partnership has increased support for China’s One China principle across Latin America.

Source: The Diplomat

Publication Date: August 3, 2023

Afghanistan in China’s Grand Strategy

Authoritarian Country: China

Affected Region: Middle East and North Africa

Author: Saher Liaqat, Abu Hurrairah Abbasi

View Resource: Afghanistan in China’s Grand Strategy

China has increased engagement with Afghanistan through investment in natural resources, especially due to its strategic position between Central and South Asia. Afghanistan has become a crucial partner for China to implement BRI projects across the region, protect its economic ambitions, and contribute to regional stability.

Source: Eurasianet

Publication Date: August 3, 2023

Central Asia: China Strives to Shape Belt and Road-Related Media Coverage

Authoritarian Country: China

Affected Region: Eurasia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan

View Resource: Central Asia: China Strives to Shape Belt and Road-Related Media Coverage

China has invested heavily in Central Asia, including in hydroelectricity, healthcare, and agriculture. China has also opened opportunities for scholarships and military cooperation. To promote China’s perspective on the Belt and Road Initiative, authorities held a conference in Xinjiang in July 2023.

Source: Center for International Private Enterprise, BRI Monitor

Publication Date: July 26, 2023

Policy Brief: Examining Transparency in Chinese Lending

Authoritarian Country: China

Affected Region: Asia-Pacific, Philippines, Cambodia

View Resource: Policy Brief: Examining Transparency in Chinese Lending

Chinese loan agreements for infrastructure projects in the Philippines and Cambodia have included strict secrecy clauses which may fuel corruption and democratic decline in recipient states. The lack of publicly available information can be a breeding ground for corrosive capital.

Source: Reuters

Publication Date: May 30, 2023

The Meat Magnate Who Pushed Putin’s Agenda in Germany

Authoritarian Country: Russia

Affected Region: Europe, Germany

Author: Tassilo Hummel, Polina Nikolskaya, Mari Saito, Maria Tsvetkova, Anton Zverev

View Resource: The Meat Magnate Who Pushed Putin’s Agenda in Germany

Ties between a German national soccer team and Russia’s state-owned gas company contributed to a blossoming relationship between the two countries. Foreign investment across Russian and German enterprises facilitated the spread of Russian influence and improved public opinion about Russia in Germany.

Source: Deutsche Welle

Publication Date: April 25, 2023

Sudan: Russia’s Wagner Group and the Grab for Power and Gold

Authoritarian Country: Russia

Affected Region: Sub-Saharan Africa, Sudan

Author: Philip Obaji Jr.

View Resource: Sudan: Russia’s Wagner Group and the Grab for Power and Gold

Russia used the Wagner Group to gain control of key gold and mining companies linked to the Sudanese military. In exchange, Wagner provided Sudanese paramilitary groups with the training and weapons to suppress democratic dissent.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Publication Date: April 20, 2023

China Strikes Energy Deals as its Clout Grows in Middle East

Authoritarian Country: China

Affected Region: Middle East and North Africa, Qatar

Author: Sha Hua

View Resource: China Strikes Energy Deals as its Clout Grows in Middle East

Beijing announced new deals to invest in Qatari liquid natural gas operations and Iraqi oil as it attempted to translate its Gulf commercial interests into regional influence.

Source: The Guardian

Publication Date: March 14, 2023

Honduras to Switch Ties from Taiwan to China, Says President

Authoritarian Country: China

Affected Region: Latin America and the Caribbean, Honduras

Author: Rhoda Kwan, Amy Walker

View Resource: Honduras to Switch Ties from Taiwan to China, Says President

Honduran President Xiomara Castro announced that his country would end diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. The move came as the Honduran government announced negotiations to build a massive hydroelectric power plant with Beijing.

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: Deutsche Welle

Publication Date: February 27, 2023

More than Mercenaries: Russia’s Wagner Group in Africa

Authoritarian Country: Russia

Affected Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

Author: David Ehl

View Resource: More than Mercenaries: Russia’s Wagner Group in Africa

Across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Kremlin has used the Wagner Group to conduct illicit business that avoids Western sanctions and props up local dictators that are friendly to Moscow. The process has enriched Russia and local kleptocrats at the expense of local citizens.