Global Scans · Democracy · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Society is expressing its discontent with current democratic processes that leave the elites struggling to convince their voters of their good intentions and competencies. Read on to see how democracy is offering both great opportunities and risks while this period of volatility shakes out.

• [New] The CCP likely aims to present the KMT as a more effective and legitimate spokesperson for Taiwan than the DPP; a narrative that the CCP likely hopes will convince Taiwanese voters to elect KMT politicians to ensure cross-Strait stability. American Enterprise Institute - AEI
• [New] Cobalt supply risk has re-emerged as a critical concern for battery manufacturers, automakers, and mining investors as political and security instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo intensifies. MiningIR
• [New] With the cost of living at the center of many voters' minds in a midterm election year, political ramifications could mount for the Republican president in the coming months. / Iran PBS News
• [New] The future of Timor-Leste's democracy will depend not only on its capacity to win elections. TATOLI Agencia Noticiosa de Timor-Leste
• [New] Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Angola and Pakistan were found to be the most vulnerable, facing GDP losses of more than 15% by 2030. Green Central Banking
• [New] Between now and 2028, when Taiwan holds its next presidential election, Beijing is likely to further escalate its pressure. Foreign Affairs Magazine
• [New] The Peace Pulse initiative is a response to historical election-related disruptions that have threatened Kenya's economic progress. Mwakilishi
• [New] Incorporating citizenship status on state IDs will strengthen Florida's election security by improving citizenship verification processes and coordinating identification records with voter registration systems. The Sekou Clarke Law Group
• [New] The permanent CSA Regulation will shape EU communications privacy for years; in July 2026 vote is a placeholder next to it. Hive Security
• [New] Gov. Kevin Stitt's latest effort targeting Muslim groups is political theater meant to tap into a broader undercurrent of Islamophobia and create unwarranted fears during an election year. Counter Extremism Project
• Any use of U.S. ground troops - even for a limited mission - could pose significant political risks for Trump, given low - American public support for the Iran campaign and Trump's own pre-election promises to avoid entangling the U.S. in new Middle East conflicts. The Daily Star
• West Virginia will allow election officials to challenge a voter's residency based on a new, stringent set of residency factors. Brennan Center for Justice
• States have multiple checks in place to prevent non-U.S. citizens from voting, yet multiple states have enacted laws premised on the myth of widespread noncitizen voting that will block some eligible American citizens from casting ballots. Brennan Center for Justice
• We must find a legitimate, safe and realistic mechanism that will allow Ukraine to restore a full-fledged democratic process even in a protracted war. EADaily
• The PRC will likely use Taiwan's 2026 local elections as a testing ground for election interference operations and as a barometer of the PRC's ability to influence Taiwanese politics and public opinion prior to the 2028 election. American Enterprise Institute - AEI
• Brazil's two main presidential candidates have inaugurated their campaigns by mustering supporters in their political strongholds ahead of what is expected to be a fierce October election. Al Jazeera
• Russia will use its parliamentary election next month as a pretext to declare a new mobilization. Al Jazeera
• The US will most likely reach the $41.1 trillion debt limit sometime between late winter and mid-summer of 2027, requiring Congress to again vote on whether to raise or suspend it.
• Taiwan is rapidly increasing its rate of drone exports, seeking to make itself an indispensable supplier of components for other democratic states that want to reduce their reliance on Chinese parts, which raise concerns about supply disruptions, or espionage.

Last updated: 06 September 2026