The Network of Dictators

Modern autocrats operate not as isolated leaders but as part of a network that transcends individual countries. Anne Applebaum highlights how regimes in Venezuela, Iran, Russia, and China, while differing ideologically, share common enemies in democratic values and activists. They do not necessarily coordinate their actions but exhibit a pattern of support, utilizing resources and technologies from one another to maintain power. This interconnectedness creates a formidable challenge for democratic nations that oppose such authoritarian structures.