Podcast Summary
Episode Overview
Podcast: New Books Network / People Power Politics
Episode: Are We Living in the Golden Age of Transnational Repression?
Date: January 16, 2026
Host: New Books
Guest: Nate Schenkkan (Independent human rights researcher, former Senior Director of Research at Freedom House)
This episode examines the concept of "transnational repression," a phenomenon where states extend their authoritarian controls across borders to intimidate, surveil, or physically harm dissidents, exiles, and diaspora communities abroad. Nate Schenkkan discusses his influential article "The Golden Age of Transnational Repression," exploring its drivers, tactics, implications for democracies, and possible responses.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Defining Transnational Repression
[03:01]
- Core Definition:
- When states reach beyond their borders to try to silence people—typically targeting diaspora, exile communities, or critics abroad.
- Not simply foreign interference or threats against any critic, but specifically against those with national ties to the origin state.
- Range of Tactics:
- Direct: Assassinations, assaults, kidnappings.
- Indirect: Digital threats, intimidation of family, manipulation of access to documents, financial control, use of migration systems (e.g., detentions, deportations).
- Community Debate:
- Some debate exists on whether individuals without national ties to the origin state are included, but Schenkkan argues the phenomenon is specific to diaspora and exiles.
2. Why a “Golden Age?” — Scale and Scope
[05:47]
- Structural Shifts:
- Global power redistribution since the Cold War, especially the rise of China and other authoritarian states.
- Authoritarian states now control a majority of global GDP (up from roughly a quarter in the early 1990s).
- More states with increased resources and emboldened to act, less fearful of Western punishment.
- Technological Revolution:
- Technology has reduced the cost and difficulty of both repression and diaspora opposition.
- “The tools that they need to do this have become much cheaper and more available.” – Schenkkan [07:31]
- Norm Erosion and Market for Authoritarian Services:
- Democratic states’ own practices, e.g., US war on terror and Israeli extraterritorial assassinations, have undermined norms and emboldened others.
3. Measuring the Problem — Tip of the Iceberg
[09:09 – 09:54]
- Data:
- Cited figure: 1,200 direct incidents of transnational repression in 103 countries, perpetrated by 48 states (2014–2024).
- “Definitely tip of the iceberg... There’s just no way to really count them that would make sense... happening in ways that are very difficult to observe.” – Schenkkan [09:54–11:42]
- Data often limited to high-visibility physical attacks; daily digital threats and family intimidation largely unquantified.
4. Countries Engaging in Transnational Repression & Their Tactics
[11:43 – 16:52]
- Major Actors:
- China, Russia, India, Rwanda, Tajikistan, among others.
- Motivations & Differences:
- Patterns based on perceived threats:
- Russia (pre-2022): Focused on a narrow group, using high violence.
- Russia (post-2022): Broader tactics after mass emigration.
- Rwanda and China: Control broad diaspora with widespread intimidation.
- Tajikistan: Low-capacity state yet highly active, leveraging host states’ lack of scrutiny or interest.
- Patterns based on perceived threats:
- Common vs. Divergent Patterns:
- Each state tailors its approach based on targets, resources, and international leverage.
- Red flags for civil society: Sudden increases in targeting of diaspora, use of host state systems, labeling opposition as extremist.
5. The Hostile Migration Policy Link
[16:52 – 22:53]
- Weaponization of Migration Systems:
- Hostile migration policies in democracies can be exploited by authoritarian regimes.
- Tactics: Manipulating asylum, deportation, watchlists—often via dubious “evidence” communicated through official channels, and rarely scrutinized by receiving countries.
- “When you receive that information... host states are not particularly interested in scrutinizing that information.” – Schenkkan [18:57]
- Recommendations:
- Training and resource creation for migration officials to recognize and challenge foreign state manipulation.
- Provide context from trusted national sources (e.g., UK government descriptions of Rwanda’s practices).
- Vulnerability in “Good Faith” Legal Assumptions:
- Judicial and asylum systems often default to trusting other states’ legal proceedings, even when those states are authoritarian.
6. Role of International Organizations: Interpol and Beyond
[22:53 – 27:29]
- Manipulation of Multilateral Mechanisms:
- Authoritarian regimes abuse Interpol’s red notices and other tools to pursue dissidents as “criminals” internationally.
- “Even in the vetting process… 50% of the ones being reviewed are getting overturned, which is a pretty bad number from a vetting perspective.” – Schenkkan [24:53]
- Regional Collaboration:
- Arab Interior Ministers Council, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and others create “regional no-go zones” for activists.
7. Democracies’ Complicity & Norm Erosion
[27:29 – 33:56]
- Norm Erosion:
- US “war on terror” and Israeli assassinations abroad have set dangerous precedents, normalizing extraterritorial actions.
- “...there were not substantial consequences, at least if you were on the ‘right’ side. That people would let you get away with it.” – Schenkkan [28:45]
- Leaders in states like Turkey and India openly cite their right (and capability) to execute repression abroad.
- Practical Complicity:
- Trump administration cooperation with Russian and Iranian authorities: “...the US...simply cooperating in transnational repression.” – Schenkkan [32:08]
- Undermining decades-long efforts to promote counter-norms against such practices.
8. Responses & Recommendations for Democracies
[33:57 – 37:39]
- Challenges:
- Rising anti-migrant sentiment, especially in Europe and North America, makes protection politically difficult.
- Policy Solutions:
- Recognize transnational repression as a core threat to inclusive, multiethnic democracy.
- Implement dedicated resources and training for law enforcement, migration, and judicial officials.
- Establish resource centers, clear guidelines, and multi-stakeholder strategies.
- Broader Approach:
- “...We recognize that our democracies are multi ethnic...We need to figure out ways to sustain that democracy over time.” – Schenkkan [35:49]
- Uphold obligations to protect all residents, not just citizens.
- Encourage civil society and diaspora engagement as public budgets dwindle.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the core of transnational repression:
“This is when states reach across borders to try to silence people. That’s really the very basic. Everyone agrees on that.” [03:08] — Nate Schenkkan
-
On norm collapse and modeling:
“They look at the US actions and they look at Mossad, the Israeli intelligence, and they say, ‘We should be able to do that. This is what powerful states do.’” [29:44] — Schenkkan
-
On data limitations:
“Tip of the iceberg, especially around...coercion by proxy. Those tactics...are just so ubiquitous...happening every day for people who are targeted.” [09:54–11:42] — Schenkkan
-
On the vulnerability of migration systems:
“When you receive that information...host states are not particularly interested in scrutinizing that information. And so, I do think some of that is simply that they’re looking for reasons to deport people.” [18:57] — Schenkkan
-
On Interpol abuse:
“50% of the ones that are being reviewed are getting overturned, which is a pretty bad number from a vetting perspective.” [24:53] — Schenkkan
-
On what democracies can do:
“This is a threat to your ability to sustain an inclusive democracy...We recognize that our democracies are multi ethnic...and we need to figure out ways to sustain that democracy over time.” [35:19–35:49] — Schenkkan
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:01 | What is transnational repression? Definitions and tactics | | 05:47 | Why is this a “golden age”? Structural shifts and technology | | 09:09 | Measuring incidents – tip of the iceberg | | 11:43 | Countries engaging in transnational repression—variety in targets/tactics | | 16:52 | Hostile migration policy & exploitation of asylum and deportation systems | | 22:53 | Manipulation of Interpol, red notices, and regional cooperation | | 27:29 | Democracies’ complicity, norm erosion, and impact of US/Israeli actions | | 33:57 | How should democracies respond? Barriers and possible policy solutions | | 37:39 | Importance of practical action and civil society as public funding declines |
Final Thoughts
The episode delivers a sobering assessment of a rapidly escalating global problem. Schenkkan compellingly argues that transnational repression is now a widespread, normalized phenomenon, increasingly facilitated by technological change, legal systems, and even the international order that democracies helped build. He stresses that democracies’ own erosion of norms and willingness to cooperate with authoritarian regimes in deportation and criminalization worsen the challenge.
The discussion concludes on a cautiously hopeful note: while states and systems face daunting pressure, there are concrete policy actions and civil society strategies that can improve protections for those at risk. As threats grow and shift, ongoing vigilance, political will, and cross-sector cooperation remain essential.