Can populism deliver?
As some democracies stall, how are populist leaders like Giorgia Meloni and Javier Millei managing to solve decades-long problems?
Is there such a thing as 'good' populism?
Guest: Professor Larry Diamond, Senior Fellow at Stanford University, author of Ill Winds: Saving Democracy from Russian Rage, Chinese Ambition, and American Complacency
Recommendations:
Geraldine: 'The Zelenskyy Story', SBS On Demand
Hamish: 'When Does Populism Become a Threat to Democracy?', speech by Larry Diamond
Larry: 'A Chip Odyssey', documentary
Get in touch:
We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
Russia downplays Trump's nuclear submarine move after Medvedev comments
The Kremlin has downplayed the significance of US President Donald Trump's order to move nuclear submarines, while issuing a warning that everyone should be "very, very careful" about nuclear rhetoric. Mr Trump ordered two of the US Navy's submarines to reposition after former Russian president and current deputy chairperson of the Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, made comments online about a nuclear exchange. In the first public comments on Mr Trump's move, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters it was "obvious that American submarines are already on combat duty". "But in general, of course, we would not want to get involved in such a controversy and would not want to comment on it in any way," he added. "Of course, we believe that everyone should be very, very careful with nuclear rhetoric." Mr Medvedev's comments last week and Mr Trump's response were the latest in a string of back-and-forth exchanges between the two men. When Mr Trump imposed a deadline on Moscow to end the war in Ukraine or face further sanctions, including on buyers of its exports, Mr Medvedev accused him of playing a "game of ultimatums" and moving a step closer to war between Russia and the US. Mr Trump retorted: "Tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he's still President, to watch his words. He's entering very dangerous territory!" Mr Medvedev waded in again last Thursday, saying the US president had had a "nervous reaction" which showed Russia was on the right course, before referring again to Moscow's nuclear capabilities. Mr Trump delivered his statement the following day on posting US nuclear submarines in "the appropriate regions", since when Mr Medvedev has not posted again. Russian opposition figures have dismissed the former Russian president's outpourings as sad, impotent rants, according to Reuters. However, some Western diplomats say they give a flavour of the thinking in Kremlin policy-making circles. Until now, they have rarely provoked a direct response from Western leaders. Mr Peskov declined to answer directly when asked whether the Kremlin had tried to warn Medvedev to tone down his online statements. "The main thing, of course, is the position of President Putin," he said. The episode comes at a delicate moment, with Mr Trump threatening to impose new sanctions on Russia and buyers of its oil, including India and China, unless President Vladimir Putin agrees by Friday to end the war in Ukraine. Mr Trump, who frequently promised to end the war within 24 hours while campaigning for the US presidency last year, has spoken admiringly of Mr Putin in the past but voiced increasing frustration with him of late. The Russian president said last week that peace talks had made some positive progress but that Russia had the momentum in the war, signalling no shift in his position despite the looming deadline. Mr Trump has said he may send his envoy Steve Witkoff to Russia on Wednesday or Thursday. Witkoff has held long conversations with Putin on several previous visits but failed to persuade him to agree to a ceasefire. The Kremlin declined to say if his latest proposed trip was taking place at Moscow's request, and did not say what it hoped might emerge from it. "We are always happy to see Mr Witkoff in Moscow and we are always happy to have contacts with Mr Witkoff. We consider them important, meaningful and very useful," Mr Peskov said. Reuters
Daily Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
‘I know how its all going to end': Ex-CIA chief warns of Vladimir Putin's demise
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News. Vladimir Putin is terrified, sickly and facing a fate just like his toppled dictator pal Bashar al-Assad, a former CIA chief has warned. Ralph Goff, ex-CIA chief of operations for Europe and Eurasia, said the ageing Russian tyrant is preoccupied with his health. And while he fumbles with trying to keep well, there is likely to be fomenting dissent in his elites, The Sun reports. He said Putin, 72, could fall very quickly if his oligarch pals turn on him – potentially losing power in a sudden uprising like Assad. Get all the latest news happening around the world as it happens — download the app direct to your phone. Vladimir Putin is facing a fate just like his toppled dictator pal Bashar al-Assad, a former CIA chief has warned. Photo: AFP Goff said the Russian president's health and wellbeing is his 'top concern'. 'Putin is a guy who's afraid of Covid, afraid of being sick,' the ex-spook – a 35-year CIA veteran said. 'His personal health and wellbeing are his top concern. 'Putin may have the same fate as Bashar al-Assad who fell suddenly without warning. 'I think this is one of the more likely outcomes for Putin – a threat that he doesn't even see coming, comes out of nowhere, and he's gone.' Like other intelligence chiefs, Goff – who served in Europe, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia – believes Putin 'sees a threat in the elite'. Goff said the Russian president's health and wellbeing is his 'top concern'. Photo: AFP 'Putin is a guy who's afraid of Covid, afraid of being sick.' Photo: AFP 'It's similar to the Italian mafia organised crime in the United States – where if the head was judged bad for business, then the they would get together and take him out. 'So Putin's got to watch out. He's got to watch the economy. 'He's got to watch the loyalty of the oligarchs.' Despite leading a war effort that has been devastating to Russia, Vlad is 'still popular', Goff said. However, 'It's a huge scale of devastation and loss. And that can undermine just about anybody,' he added. Ralph Goff served in the CIA for 35 years. Photo: Supplied Despite leading a war effort that has been devastating to Russia, Vlad is 'still popular'. Photo: AFP As the war rumbles on, Goff revealed the recipe for Ukraine success – more weapons from Europe and targeting Russian assets. 'When the Ukrainians are successfully armed and prepared, they can hold out – and there's an increased chance of forcing some sort of settlement. 'If not, Putin can continue this war for as long as he likes – to the point where the Ukrainians are forced to kind of seek a very disadvantageous peace, or ceasefire.' Goff warns it would be 'very unstable' with 'no guarantee that some sort of war won't break out in the future'. And outside Russia, Goff believes a regime change in Iran would have a direct impact on Putin's war. 'A change in regime would undermine that support and help isolate Russia just a little bit more,' he said. This article originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission Originally published as 'I know how its all going to end': Ex-CIA chief warns of Vladimir Putin's demise
The Australian
7 hours ago
- The Australian
Heathrow unveils £49 bn expansion plan for third runway
London's Heathrow Airport on Friday unveiled a £49-billion ($65 billion) expansion plan, including the costs of building a long-awaited third runway, approved by the UK government after years of legal wrangling. The runway would cost £21 billion, with flights expected to take off within a decade, while the rest of the privately-funded investment will go toward expanding and modernising the airport. Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport by passenger numbers, said the expansion would provide at least 30 new daily routes, more domestic connections and improved flight times. The increased capacity would almost double the number of annual passengers from 84 million currently to up to 150 million passengers annually. "It has never been more important or urgent to expand Heathrow," said chief executive Thomas Woldbye. "We are effectively operating at capacity to the detriment of trade and connectivity," he added. Despite fierce opposition from environmentalists and local residents, London mayor Sadiq Khan and some Labour MPs, the Labour government backed the new runway in January in a bid to boost UK economic growth. It would be a rare expansion in Europe, where countries are split between efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the needs of a strategic sector that has seen demand grow. Heathrow has submitted its proposal for the 3,500 metre runway to the UK government, which has also invited a rival proposal. - Green trade-offs - Heathrow's proposal includes £12 billion to fund a new terminal and £15 billion for modernisation. "A third runway and supporting infrastructure can be ready within a decade, and the full investment across all terminals would take place over the coming decades," Heathrow said in a statement. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is determined to deliver major infrastructure projects to revive the UK economy that has struggled to take off since the party came to power a year ago. The government is expected to also back expansion at Gatwick airport, south of the capital, in October -- having recently approved upgrades to London's Stansted, Luton and City airports. Britain's Supreme Court ruled at the end of 2020 that Heathrow could build the third runway, overturning a legal decision to block construction on environmental grounds. Local residents "will see their lives put on hold for a few more years while more money and time is wasted on a doomed scheme," said Douglas Parr, policy director for Greenpeace UK. He added the plans "export more tourism wealth out of the UK in the most polluting way possible." Arora Group, one of Heathrow's largest landowners, on Thursday said it will submit a rival bid to build a shorter third runway, promising lower costs and less disruption to local residents and the environment. "This is the first time the government has invited a competing proposal for Heathrow expansion," the UK-based property and hotel firm said in a statement. British Airways owner IAG's chief executive Luis Gallego said the rival bid was "credible" as the group announced its net profit jumped 44 percent to 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in the first six months of the year on "strong demand". "We always think that competition is good to improve things, and we have seen that in commercial aviation in the past," he added. Airport-owner Heathrow's latest investment proposal comes in addition to plans to invest £10 billion over the next five years in upgrades to boost passenger numbers, which would be largely funded by higher charges on airlines. ajb/jkb/rl
