Is international democracy promotion in the European neighbourhood running out of steam? What is the impact of factors such as corrupt state capture, energy resources, the financial crisis and radical Islam on democratisation in the region? Research into these questions shows a parting of the ways between the EU’s near neighbours (other than Russia), which are seen to be ‘struggling transitions’ still aiming at the European model of democracy, and Russia, the states of Central Asia and North Africa where there is rather a contrary trend of ‘proliferating dynasties’.