Authoritarianism

Simon Rosenberg explains the pro-democracy, center-left imperative of becoming information warriors

What's the difference between Nero at HIS Olympics in 67 and Trump at HIS golf course 1,957 years later? Robert McElvaine on losers who declare themselves winners.

Robert McElvaine highlights the stark contrast between President Biden's SOTU and the opposition party's response and ambitions, “'Take America Back' means take the nation back from women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, non-“Christians,” and so on. Back to the days when the United States was 'a white man’s country.' Back to before the revolutionary changes that took off in 1964.as well as the GOP's dangerous alignment with authoritarianism."

Grab a warm drink and a comfortable seat because Teri Kanefield breaks down the GOP connections to Russian influence and you don't want to miss a word.

"The demagogue gains power by democratic means, claiming to be a champion of ‘the people’ and making wild promises...Anyone who opposes the demagogue is labeled an ‘enemy of the people’ and exiled or killed," writes Teri Kanefield.

Rick Wilson: "Vladimir Putin’s long hand of death reached out yesterday and struck down Alexi Navalny in a Siberian prison. The day before, Navalny seemed healthy during a video conference in his ongoing, manufactured legal torture. The Kremlin lie that Navalny 'suddenly felt ill' is the usual sort of deception told by authoritarian regimes around the world."

Ruth Ben-Ghiat taps into how public shaming and divide-and-rule tactics used by autocrats create toxic environments of fear and insecurity, where opportunists thrive at the expense of individual dignity and the good of the people.

Teri Kanefield astounds us once again with this incredible list of essential reading for anyone who wants to understand where our democracy is, how we got here, and how we can find our way through.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat looks into the consequences of underestimating the danger of authoritarianism and stresses the importance of staying informed and actively defending democracy.

Teri Kanefield provides insightful commentary on the dangerous trend of fascism, as leading Republicans pile on to endorse Trump, examining the risks to democracy and the need for accountability.

On this episode of The ZeroLine, Sarah Ashton-Cirillio and Lisa Senecal are joined by special guest, Oleksandr Musiienko, head of the Kyiv-based Center for Military and Legal Studies. Together, they dive into the current state of the war in Ukraine, focusing on frontline developments, the morale and strategies of Russian forces, and Ukraine's defensive efforts.

Rick Wilson effectively argues how Trump's escalating behavior is a longterm benefit to Biden's reelection.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat discusses the corrupt tradition of sons-in-law in the inner sanctums of dictators, their roles in corruption, and their potential as scapegoats.

On this episode of The ZeroLine, Sarah Ashton-Cirillio connects with executive editor of Resolute Square, Lisa Senecal. This week, the focus is on global authoritarianism and the complexities of international migration, focusing on Russia's involvement in weaponizing migration, particularly in Darien Province, Panama, and the broader implications for international politics and security.

In "No Time to Panic," Teri Kanefield sheds light on the echoes of autocratic behavior in Trump's presidential run. By dissecting the tactics of panic, spectacle, and the manipulation of enemies, Kanefield highlights the importance of staying informed and unearths the history that can guide us through these turbulent times.

Dr. Jennifer Mercieca writes: "Conditions are right for fascism, we have all the ingredients for fascism, but fascism is not pre-determined—we can still stop it."

Rick Wilson is dropping some hard truths (for Trump) this week, not the least of which is that "Donald Trump is a coward. A chickenshit."

Ruth Ben-Ghiat writes: "Strongmen scams recur throughout authoritarian history, not least because they are at the heart of autocratic personality cults that celebrate the leader as a man of the people." Sound familiar?

Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat writes about Trump's latest speech and his convincing Mussolini and Hitler impressions - dehumanizing his enemies using their tried and true tactics that led to genocide.

Trump and co have big plans for America. Mass deportations. Rooting out “vermin” political opponents. All the usual Nazi stuff. And while the rest of the world sinks into a sort of chaos, they are making their plans plain. Is anyone listening? Big picture strategies - restore democracy, vote MAGA out, etc - are great, but what can we do RIGHT NOW? Rick, Stuart, & Joe break it down. Plus - the guys answer audience questions!