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Dissident Spotlight: Ahmed Hassan Al-Zoubi
Ahmed Al-Zoubi is a satirist who has been arrested and imprisoned for his criticisms of Jordan's government.
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Christopher Gerlacher
The Tragedy of Dmitri Shostakovich
Even as he undercut one of history's most brutal dictators, Shostakovich couldn't keep himself from collaborating with the Soviet regime late in his…
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Christopher Gerlacher
Dissident Spotlight: Zulkifli Anwar Ulhaque
Zulkifili Ulhaque is a cartoonist in Malaysia who has faced what were effectively life sentences from his government for pointing out its officials…
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Christopher Gerlacher
If You Make It Trend, You Make It True
Renee DiResta's investigation offers a stark warning about the trustworthiness of the content they read online - even beyond the usual concerns about…
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Christopher Gerlacher
Dissident Spotlight: Abdulaziz al-Dukhail
Abdulaziz al-Dukhail supported a fallen dissident in writing and spent about 15 months in prison without being charged.
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Christopher Gerlacher
Incentives Don't Paint a Full Picture of Moral Choice
Resurrection shows how even “rational” systems can reward hypocrisy, offering insight for an age of influencers enamored with behavioral economics.
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Christopher Gerlacher
Dissident Spotlight: Bryan Avelar
Bryan Avelar is an example of how a tough-on-crime approach can mask the oppression of dissidents.
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Christopher Gerlacher
Why Liberalism Still Matters
As extremists call liberalism outdated, Fukuyama argues it’s still the best system for peace and dignity amid deep political divides.
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Christopher Gerlacher
Dissident Spotlight: Osama Khalid
Osama Khalid was a Wikipedia editor in Saudi Arabia whose edits regarding a prominent feminist activist may have landed him in prison.
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Christopher Gerlacher

September 2025

© 2025 Christopher Gerlacher
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