Instead, it must seize the initiative offered by developments like those in China to promote the opportunities for greater freedom, even where doing so may appear to involve taking some risks.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Building Democracy In China: The US Role

Miss Suu Kyi, who was previously confined for years under house arrest, has been allowed far greater freedom of movement and has even met several foreign visitors.

ECONOMIST: Hope in Myanmar

If one tightened his criteria slightly and excluded countries with negative credit outlooks, the freedom performance premium would have been even greater.

FORBES: Shaking The Nations

In this term the prime minister will have to show greater willingness to reform the judiciary, even in ways that give his critics more freedom to speak out, if he is to convince them that his commitment to democracy is heartfelt.

BBC: Turkey election: Challenges for Erdogan's third term