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The velvet leash

Ilya Kolmanovsky

When do people fight for their freedom?

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Compass

A journal about global cultures and developments published by the Institute of Current World Affairs.

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Review: Opposing authoritarianism Review: Opposing authoritarianism

Review: Opposing authoritarianism

Gregory Feifer
Benjamin Nathans’s history of the Soviet dissident movement has important lessons for today.

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‘This is not the end of moral universalism’ ‘This is not the end of moral universalism’

‘This is not the end of moral universalism’

Robert Coalson
A conversation with Michael Ignatieff.

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Kafka’s The Trial: 1925-2025 Kafka’s The Trial: 1925-2025

Kafka’s The Trial: 1925-2025

Ritchie Robertson
A century after the novel’s publication, its portrait of arbitrary justice is increasingly relevant.

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Fellows

The latest dispatches from the institute’s fellows writing about Taiwan, South Korea, Portugal and the Norwegian Arctic. Sign up for emails to follow their research.

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On building solidarityOn building solidarity

On building solidarity

Edric Huang
Transnational activism at an Asian regional LGBTQ+ conference.

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Greenland chairs the Arctic CouncilGreenland chairs the Arctic Council

Greenland chairs the Arctic Council

Brett Simpson
In an era of precarious polar diplomacy, unprecedented leadership may be required.

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In Portugal, promoting safety at the partyIn Portugal, promoting safety at the party

In Portugal, promoting safety at the party

Rowland Robinson
One organization’s mission to help recreational drug users.

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Advancing understanding of global cultures and affairs

The Institute of Current World Affairs has sent outstanding young professionals abroad to acquire deep understanding of international societies for 100 years. They have become some of America's leading experts on global cultures and affairs.

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ICWA@100

As ICWA marks its centenary this year, we’re looking back at the writing and lives of our fellows over the past 100 years.

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Thelma’s shoesThelma’s shoes

Thelma’s shoes

Sharon Doorasamy on post-apartheid South Africa.

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South Korea votes for democracySouth Korea votes for democracy

South Korea votes for democracy

Steven Butler on the country's pivotal 1985 elections.

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A visit to China’s richest villageA visit to China’s richest village

A visit to China’s richest village

Cheng Li on the country's direction in 1985.

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We need your help to support our fellows

I can’t tell you how important the experience of the fellowship was for me. Those years I spent from 1971 to 1975 really shaped my ideas about health and healing in the natural world.

DR. ANDREW WEIL, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE ANDREW WEIL CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (ICWA FELLOW IN THE AMERICAS AND AFRICA, 1971-1975)
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