Content

Report

Sep 23, 2025

Natural gas has a small but important role in Africa’s energy transition

By Neil Ford

Limited access to electricity has long constrained both quality of life and economic growth across much of Africa. About 42 percent of the continent’s population still lives in homes without any access. While it is technically possible to rapidly increase African electrification rates through renewables, change on such a scale would require massive global investment that is not a realistic prospect in the foreseeable future. Africa’s untapped and associated gas reserves can provide part of the solution by supporting renewable energy in boosting electrification rates.

Africa
Critical Minerals

Issue Brief

Sep 22, 2025

A three-pillar strategy for institutional reform in Central and Eastern Europe

By Stephen Nix and Megan Tamisiea

This paper is the first in the Freedom and Prosperity Center's "Future of Democracy Assistance" series, which analyzes the many complex challenges to democracy around the world and highlights actionable policies that promote democratic governance.

Central Europe
Democratic Transitions

Issue Brief

Sep 22, 2025

Expanding Syria’s multilateral development bank engagement

By Basil Kiwan

Estimates of Syria’s post-civil war cost of rebuilding range from $250 billion to $400 billion. To help finance reconstruction and development, Syria’s transitional government should expand its partnerships with international financial institutions (IFIs) and multilateral development banks (MDBs), as these institutions can play a key role in mobilizing global capital.

Economic Sanctions
Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Sep 19, 2025

Secure supply chains for the US run through its closest neighbors

By Jose Manuel Restrepo and Martin Cassinelli

Central America and the Dominican Republic are emerging as key partners for US economic security. Strengthening rule of law, workforce skills, and trade frameworks can secure lasting, mutually beneficial economic integration.

Americas
Caribbean

Issue Brief

Sep 17, 2025

Preparing US industry for a more competitive world

By David L. Goldwyn, Andrea Clabough

US companies must stay the course on decarbonization to ensure long-term global competitiveness—or risk being left behind as the world’s other major economies continue to prioritize sustainability.

Energy & Environment
Energy Markets & Governance

Issue Brief

Sep 15, 2025

The Abraham Accords at five

By Allison Minor, Daniel B. Shapiro, Amir Hayek, Loay Alshareef, Ahmed Khuzaie, Sarah Zaaimi

On the fifth anniversary of the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel normalizing relations, American, Bahraini, Emirati, Israeli, and Moroccan authors reflect on the transformational change and “warm peace” envisioned by the Abraham Accords—a long-term, generational project.

Israel
Middle East

Issue Brief

Sep 12, 2025

Trustworthy digital identities can set the standards for secure benefits provision in the US

By Ananya Kumar

The proliferation of online services necessitates verifiable digital IDs globally. While they can improve convenience and reduce fraud in benefits provision, they raise privacy concerns and surveillance risks. This paper examines US digital identity challenges, analyzes EU and Japan implementations, and provides policy recommendations for responsible digital ID development in the US.

Cybersecurity
Digital Currencies

Issue Brief

Sep 11, 2025

Private industry should step up to protect the global maritime order

By Elisabeth Braw

Who should protect the global maritime order? While a growing number of countries have begun to violate maritime rules, the maritime sector has the opportunity, and an obligation, to help prevent further deterioration of the rules that underpin safe commerce and safe passage on the seas.

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Sep 11, 2025

DFC 2.0: A blueprint for a bigger, faster and more strategic agency

By Aubrey Hruby

With the DFC’s reauthorization this year, Congress and the Trump administration have an opportunity to refine the tools, deepen partnerships, and expand expertise in order to make the investments at the scale and with the flexibility needed to strengthen US national security and enhance global competitiveness.

Africa
Economy & Business

Report

Sep 10, 2025

Spyware blasts: Strict liability for abnormally dangerous activities

By Lisandra Novo

This report explores the possibility of bringing cases related to spyware abuses under strict liability for abnormally dangerous activities in California and the UK.

Cybersecurity
United Kingdom