Hey everybody, Philip here. Sad to say it's true. After only a little over a month, I've got Covid once more. I picked it up in Ohio while there for my girlfriend's belated college graduation (she finished 2020, but the same virus delayed her ceremony two years).

Presently, the two of us are posted up in a ground-floor apartment in Little Italy in Cleveland, known to Airbnb as "Uncle Vinny's Place." An odd setup, but we're comfortable enough.

Anyways, that's why there was no Insight yesterday, but I'm on track to have one out by Friday. Until then, figured I'd send a midweek digest of everything from the past two weeks, in case you missed anything.

If you're interested in learning all about Northern Ireland and the most pressing challenges to democratic accountability and stability there, I wrote two companion pieces on exactly that, while Harry has good breakdowns of issues from the US, Philippines, Sudan, and Russia! Plus, we had two great conversations: one with a professor and author on the concept of progress and another with a former CIA counterterrorism analyst about democracy promotion. There's something for everyone here!

Last week:

Brent Giannotta talks Democracy Promotion | Interview

We sit down to discuss how to effectively combat authoritarianism, assist the spread of democracy, and learn from our past foreign policy mistakes.

Spectacles MediaSpectacles

Could This Ruling Radically Reshape Government? | Insight

A federal court curbed the power of financial regulators. The judges’ legal argument could upend centuries of law-making.

Spectacles MediaHarry Clennon

Why Irish Peace Needs the European Union

Boris Johnson promised to “get Brexit done,” but core challenges in Ireland remain unaddressed, risking peace on the island.

Spectacles MediaPhilip Brain

Could Russia’s Corruption Be Its Downfall? | Insight

Russia’s invasion continues to stall, even after a major strategic shift. But can corruption in the security sector explain its failures?

Spectacles MediaHarry Clennon

The week before:

Is Progress Real? | An Interview with Matthew Slaboch

Professor Slaboch joins us to discuss his book and the topic of “progress.” Is it real? If not, what are we to do?

Spectacles MediaSpectacles

Protests in Sudan: The Despot’s Dilemma

Sudanese protesters continue to agitate against military rule. But the junta holds all the cards, and negotiation is an unfortunate necessity.

Spectacles MediaHarry Clennon

Disinformation Didn’t Decide the Philippine Election | Insight

“Disinformation” has become the go-to explanation for democratic erosion. The truth isn’t so black and white.

Spectacles MediaHarry Clennon

Northern Ireland: Weaponizing a Peace Agreement

A monumental election may lead to paralysis as terms designed to foster peace and cooperation are wielded in power politics.

Spectacles MediaPhilip Brain