Gaslit Nation

Anne Applebaum: How Democracies Fail

6 snips
Jun 25, 2025
Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author known for her critical stance on authoritarianism, dives deep into the battles for democracy worldwide. She discusses Poland's recent elections and the precarious state of its democracy, alongside rising autocratic trends in Hungary and the U.S. Applebaum warns that the struggle against populism and authoritarianism is ongoing, emphasizing the importance of political engagement to safeguard democratic values. She also touches on the dangers posed by escalating conflicts in the Middle East, particularly concerning Iran.
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INSIGHT

Democracy Is Ongoing Struggle

  • Democracy is an ongoing high-stakes struggle with no definitive victory so far.
  • Polish elections show that coalitions can win but don't guarantee long-term democratic stability.
INSIGHT

Chaos of Iran Airstrikes

  • Current U.S. airstrikes on Iran lack clear legal or strategic justification.
  • Iranian opposition mixed feelings highlight regime brutality but risk wider chaos from lawless actions.
INSIGHT

Russia-Iran Alliance Tactical

  • Russia and Iran are tactical rather than ideological allies focused on destabilizing democracies.
  • Russia may aid Iran to protect autocratic interests despite strained resources from the Ukraine war.
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