Even as long-reigning autocrats such as Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are removed from power, the outlook for the global state of democracy remains highly uncertain.
—
Yana Gorokhovskaia,
Washington Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Trump’s attacks may have raised some doubts in China that Xi’s backing of autocrats is wise.
That would overlook how quickly Israel’s allies can turn into tomorrow’s religious oppressors.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Israel’s message behind the assassination campaign is clear — the Islamic regime is beyond salvaging, and Iranians need to take to the streets to help oust their oppressors themselves.
—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Mar. 2026
Although American forces have arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and killed several Iranian leaders, removing the dictators has not dislodged the dictatorships in either Caracas or Tehran.
—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
Long before the birth of Julius Caesar, the Roman Republic appointed all-powerful dictators to protect their state in times of crisis.
Ready to meet the season's new allies, enemies, tyrants, and giants?
—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
At the time, Athens had just emerged from a period of dictatorship and some of his students had been among the tyrants who sought to take down Athens’ democracy.
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