• Four Ways to Fix Social Media’s Political Ads Problem — Without Banning Them

In a opinion piece in the New York Times, Daniel Kreiss and Matt Perault (the latter of whom is former public policy director at Facebook) offer options for reforming the elections landscape of social media.

• Tehran’s strategic intent

For anyone who wants to know more about Iran and how the regime there has changed its global outlook and ambitions, this is a good read.

• Five Lessons From the New Arab Uprisings

Dr Georges Fahmi of Chatham House examines how protesters across the region have adapted their tactics after the experiences of the Arab Spring. He sets out five lessons for those wnating to overthrow the system in their country, notably that it is not all about a rush to replace unpopular leaders through fresh elections – changing the rules and socio-economic structure of society is vital too.

• How to Reverse the Global Drift Toward Authoritarianism

This last recommendation is a listen rather than a read. Brookings President John Allen on why autocrats are rising and what to do about it. Defenders of an international liberal rules-based order need to take action to preserve their vision.