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Leon Willems

Leon Willems

6 commentaries

Leon Willems is Director of Free Press Unlimited.

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  1. Preventing the Death of Independent Journalism
    willems6_ Eko Siswono ToyudhoAnadolu AgencyGetty Images_riot police press freedom Eko Siswono Toyudho/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

    Preventing the Death of Independent Journalism

    Dec 7, 2020 Leon Willems warns that a critical public good could be lost, undermining informed debate and political accountability.

  2. The Demonization of Journalists Must End
    willems5_FRANCOIS GUILLOTPOOLAFP via Getty Images_charliehebdomemorial Francois Guillot/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

    The Demonization of Journalists Must End

    Jan 9, 2020 Leon Willems says continued violence against members of the press represents an assault on a vital pillar of democracy.

  3. Justice for Journalists
    willems4_YASINAKGULAFPGettyImages_candlevigilwithkhashoggiposter Yasin Akgul/AFP/Getty Images

    Justice for Journalists

    Jun 18, 2019 Leon Willems suggests how to fight the culture of impunity surrounding violent crimes against reporters in many countries.

  4. Condemning Khashoggi’s Killers
    mbs g20 Nicolas Asfouri - Pool/Getty Images

    Condemning Khashoggi’s Killers

    Dec 11, 2018 Leon Willems says the apparent state-sanctioned murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi must not go unpunished.

  5. How Press Freedom Is Won
    Protesters holds placards during a rally against corruption and to pay tribute to murdered Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images

    How Press Freedom Is Won

    May 2, 2018 Leon Willems urges news consumers to reflect on the successes and sacrifices of journalists around the world.

  1. gregorova1_Carol YepesGetty Images_messagesencryption Carol Yepes/Getty Images
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    Will Your Encrypted Messages Remain Private in Europe?

    Markéta Gregorová worries about a proposed regulation that would undermine a fundamental right in the digital domain.
  2. benami220_AnadoluGettyImages_damascus_celebration Anadolu/Getty Images
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    The Fall of the House of Assad

    Shlomo Ben-Ami

    The Middle East’s geopolitical landscape has been transformed by the swift collapse of Syria’s al-Assad dynasty. While the Iranian-led “axis of resistance” now appears hollowed out, an Islamist regime in Damascus may prove deeply unsettling not only to Israel, but also to the region’s Arab states.

     agrees with Iran’s former vice president that the Syrian regime’s collapse will transform the Middle East.
  3. gortiz3_Eyepix GroupGettyImages_sheinbaum_pressconf Eyepix Group/Getty Images
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    How Trump’s Return Could Benefit Mexico

    Guillermo Ortiz thinks the country and its new president could benefit from going back to the negotiating table with the US.
  4. singer237_Carl CourtGettyImages_pro_euthanasia_protest_london Carl Court/Getty Images
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    Choice in Dying Comes to the UK

    Peter Singer welcomes the approval of a bill that promises to empower terminally ill patients in England and Wales.
  5. bp trump neoliberalism Photo by Saul Martinez for The Washington Post via Getty Images
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    Did Neoliberalism Kill American Democracy?

    As US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to make good on his threats to upend American institutions, the pressure is on his opponents to figure out how to defend, and eventually strengthen, US democracy. But first they must understand how the United States reached this point.

  6. patten170_YUICHI YAMAZAKIAFP via Getty Images_japan Yuichi Yamazaki/AFP via Getty Images
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    The Sources of Japanese Resilience

    Chris Patten emphasizes the country’s ability to avoid the divisive politics currently plaguing other liberal democracies.
  7. bremmer27_AAREF WATADAFP via Getty Images_syria Aaref Watad/AFP via Getty Images
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    The Global Power Vacuum Comes to Syria

    Ian Bremmer explains how external dynamics led to renewed fighting in the country's 13-year-long civil war.
  8. op_moyo5_Wong Yu LiangGetty Images_downarrow Wong Yu Liang/Getty Images
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    The Eight Headwinds Threatening Global Growth in 2025

    Dambisa Moyo highlights the major trends which, if left unchecked, could usher in a period of prolonged stagnation.
  9. ahuq6_JUNG YEON-JEAFP via Getty Images_southkoreaprotest Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images
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    South Korea’s Impeachment Battle Is Democracy in Action

    Aziz Huq

    Following South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s groundless declaration of martial law, legislators are pursuing his impeachment. If they succeed, they will have offered a valuable example of how democracies should deal with those who abuse the powers of their office.

     thinks the effort to remove a lawless president can serve as an important signal to the rest of the world.

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