What's happened
Foreign governments like China, Iran, and Bulgaria are resorting to extreme measures to intimidate, harass, and even plot attacks against political opponents and activists living in the U.S. and the UK. The Justice Department has built cases against dozens of suspects involved in transnational repression, with tactics growing more sophisticated and crossing into violence as countries seek to project power abroad.
Why it matters
The targeting of dissidents abroad by foreign governments highlights the dangerous consequences of geopolitical tensions for ordinary citizens. The Justice Department's investigations reveal a concerning trend of countries willing to go to extreme lengths to silence critics, posing a threat to freedom of speech and democracy globally.
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Chinese intelligence operatives and Iranian regime members targeted political opponents in the U.S., with the Justice Department foiling murder-for-hire schemes. The Guardian discusses the historical context of transnational repression, citing the assassination of Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov in London as an example.
How we got here
The recent cases of foreign governments targeting dissidents abroad reflect a long-standing practice of transnational repression. Historically, authoritarian regimes have used intimidation, harassment, and violence to silence critics beyond their borders. The Justice Department's focus on these cases underscores the growing threat to political dissent and human rights globally.
Common question
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Which foreign governments are targeting dissidents abroad?
Discover the foreign governments resorting to extreme measures to intimidate, harass, and even plot attacks against political opponents and activists living abroad. Learn about the concerning trend of countries willing to silence critics at any cost.
More on these topics
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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The United States Department of Justice, also known as the Justice Department, is a federal executive department of the United States government responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice in the United States, and is equivale