“All these countries face real challenges in terms of economic growth and employment and distribution of wealth. As a result, societies on the edge seem willing to accept authoritarianism in the hope that it will deliver the goods. That’s half the answer. The other half is that there doesn’t seem to be any political price for acting illiberally. No one of stature is shaming, sanctioning, or standing up to illiberal behavior and political repression. Leaders feel somewhat enabled.” The New Yorker’s Robin Wright on one of the era’s biggest global stories: The Rise of the World’s New Emperors—with America’s Help.

+ It’s not just that America isn’t opposing the new strongmen. Trump has embraced them.