Vigilante groups usually arise in weak states with deteriorating security situations in which locals feel compelled to take their security into their own hands. The state will often try to co-opt these militias, who are afforded a level of legitimacy in their communities that the military is not, at least initially, and thus have a distinct advantage in counterinsurgency operations.

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers May 20 to May 26.   

The recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Singapore shows that there are limits to what national responses to a global pandemic can achieve. 

Election security has been a major issue since the 2020 U.S. election. Policymakers and members of the public must take several concrete steps to ensure that elections are secure and free from interf…