What Can the Venezuelan Opposition Learn from Syria?

We have recently witnessed the collapse of Syria’s decades-long, oppressive regime.
There is room for the people of Venezuela and the U.S. administration to learn something from the Syrian experience and consider applying its lessons to the Maduro regime.
Syria’s quick collapse is widely attributed to the weakness of the powers that sustained the Bashar al-Assad regime and to the well-armed and well-organized opposition forces.

If Trump Leaves Iraq, It Will Be a Gift to Iran and China

Now that President Donald Trump has won a second term, he has the opportunity to reorient U.S. Middle East policy from that of President Joe Biden. Out is Biden’s appeasement of Iran. In is “Maximum Pressure.” Out is demonization of Saudi Arabia. In is Trump’s partnership with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Out is the Biden administration’s passive-aggressiveness toward Israel; in are close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In Iran, Women Are the Answer

After the latest Iranian missile attack on Israel, a significant Israeli retaliation is a certainty. This situation is fraught with risks of escalation and widespread global impact. In the face of these dangers, Western policymakers should explore strategic approaches to drive change in the Islamic Republic.

Bloodthirstiness, Presidential Pardons, and the Quality of Mercy

We are surprisingly bloodthirsty people. We impose the longest prison sentences in the world. We are one of only seven countries that inflict more than ten death penalties a year, with the others hardly our demographic, developmental, or political peers (China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Somalia, and Singapore).

We are a Non-Partisan Public Policy Organization, a Research Center, and a Think Tank.

The Center is a gathering of scholars, experts and community stakeholders, that engage in research and dialogue in an effort to create practical policy recommendations and solutions to current local, national, and international challenges.

Latest Articles

The Melancholy Hearings

The Melancholy Hearings

The January 6 Committee hearings bring upon those concerned and horrified by the Capitol insurrection a certain malaise, a deep and foreboding anxiety, a feeling that all of this is for naught.

Golf and Things That Matter

Golf and Things That Matter

We should take it as a mark of reasonable judgment not to consider the moderately problematic the same as the extremely problematic, to be unsurprised when anticipated action comport with expected results, and not to shift standards in similar situations without extremely good reasons.

The Summit of the Americas: No Short-term Solutions but Potential for the Future

The Summit of the Americas: No Short-term Solutions but Potential for the Future

A lot has been said and written about the Summit of the Americas currently taking place in Los Angeles. The refusal of Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez, also known by AMLO, to participate over the exclusion of three dictatorships— Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua— gave the impression that the summit was going to be a total failure. I disagree with those who had such a perception.

What Will Determine the Future of Money?

What Will Determine the Future of Money?

The international economy is beginning to fracture around the development of novel digital currencies and the human values that their systems represent. Since currencies represent a commonly accepted medium of exchange and can act as an enabler or disabler of economic relationships, they have the power to shape how the global economy functions.

Genocide is a word not to be used lightly

Genocide is a word not to be used lightly

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a crime under international law and atrocities have been committed, but the Russians are not trying to annihilate the Ukrainian people.

Putin and Forecast of Destruction

Putin and Forecast of Destruction

As we watch in horror the destruction of Ukraine – the decimation of its buildings and cities, its armies and airfields, its men, women and children – we equally see the outright lies about what is happening from Russia and from its friends.

PB/CD&PR – WEBINARS

Post-Assad Syria:
Shaping the Region’s New Reality


The Upcoming Trump Administration: What Should be Expected?

The War in Gaza and Southern Lebanon, and the Iran Threat: What Is Next?

The Hamas Attack on Israel: Its causes and implications

Lebanon and Turkey: Historical Context and Contemporary Realities

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Its Implications

The Banking Crisis and Its Implications

Antisemitism and Academic Freedom: Free Speech and the Right to Hate is now available

Hijab Protests in Iran: Where is it Going?

The Mid-Term Elections: A Comprehensive Analysis

Understanding Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022)

The Oil of Two Tyrants:
Russia No, Venezuela Yes?

Civic Responses to Russia’s War on Ukraine

A Military Assessment of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine.

The Future of Democracy, featuring Alvin Felzenberg, Ph.D.

A New Era of Digital Asset Foreign Policy

The tragedy of Lebanon

Implications of Florida’s
New Election Laws

Latin America:
Challenges to the United States

Compelling and Practical Analysis of the Middle East Peace Process

Academic Scholarship vs Ideology

The Intersection of National Security and the Florida Tech Ecosystem

The Intersection of National Security and the Florida Tech Ecosystem

Crisis in the Middle East” An analysis of the current situation in the region

Challenges and risks of America’s dependency on China for prescription drugs and antibiotics

Race relations and law enforcement

Contemporary Genocide with Dr. Joel Levin

Featured in the News

US Announces New Sanctions Against Venezuela!

Palm Beach Center For Democracy Event January 2020

Join the Conversation

Stay up to date with our newsletter!

Enter your mail to receive monthly updates, events and recaps.

The Center is a gathering of scholars, experts and community stakeholders, that engage in research and dialogue in an effort to create practical policy recommendations and solutions to current local, national, and international challenges.

©2025 The Palm Beach Center for Democracy and Policy Research. All Rights Reserved