Content

One dollar bill folded on paper banknote. Business concept.

Issue Brief

Sep 29, 2025

How to dismantle a reserve currency

By Daniel McDowell

For the economic tumult that the dollar has faced over the last eighty years, its political foundations have remained steadfast—until now. As the political order on which the dollar system rests grows creaky, dollar preeminence is also looking wobbly.

Dollar Dominance
Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Sep 29, 2025

What drives the divide in transatlantic AI strategy?

By Alisha Chhangani, Ananya Kumar

The US and EU share AI ambitions but diverge on regulation, risking a fractured Western front. Nowhere is this tension sharper than in financial services, where details matter most.

Artificial Intelligence
Digital Policy

Issue Brief

Sep 29, 2025

The dollar’s role in the fight for US primacy

By Martin Mühleisen

The contours of the second Trump administration's trade and exchange rate policies are becoming clearer. Economic policies have now become inextricably linked with US foreign policy priorities, including the role of the dollar.

Economy & Business
Eurozone

Issue Brief

Sep 29, 2025

Waiting for the Big Bang: Executing the European defense build-up in Germany

By Robin Fehrenbach, Jakob Flemming, and Julia Friedlander

When it comes to European defense spending, Germany can and should be the first mover. By leveraging private capital, the 5% NATO spending target can be seized as an opportunity to avert deindustrialization.

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia

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.

Economy & Business
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

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