Content

Inside the Taliban's gender apartheid

Jul 2, 2025

How centering Afghan women and youth now can help challenge oppressive regimes in the future

By Quhramaana Kakar

Empowered Afghan youth and women embody a future vision for the country rooted in rights, participation, and accountability.

Afghanistan
Civil Society

In the News

Jun 27, 2025

Tahir in MSNBC on the Voice of America and Iran

By Muhammad Tahir

On June 27, Muhammad Tahir, nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and former RFE/RL Central and South Asia liaison in Washington, DC, was published in MSNBC on funding for the US Agency for Global Media and the role of US soft power in Iran.

Civil Society
Iran

AfricaSource

Jun 27, 2025

Don’t leave Africa behind in sports sustainability—put it first

By Malcolm Biiga

The hosts of the upcoming Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup are committing to sustainability goals inside their countries. But achieving a sustainable sports legacy will take a global approach.

Africa
Civil Society

Report

Jun 23, 2025

2025 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes: How political freedom drives growth

By Ignacio Campomanes, Nina Dannaoui-Johnson, Annie (Yu-Lin) Lee, Joseph Lemoine

As the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes show political freedom declining worldwide for the twelfth straight year, new data analysis shows its importance for lasting prosperity: Though authoritarians promise economic rewards, democratizing countries gain an 8.8 percent GDP per capita boost over twenty years than their autocratic peers. With democracy on the ropes, what else can the Indexes tell us?

China
Civil Society

MENASource

Jun 18, 2025

Dispatch from Jerusalem: Inside Israel’s bunkers as Iran war erupts

By Sarah Zaaimi

The stakes are higher as two opposing rhetorics about the region's future are at play: Pan-Abrahamism and Revolutionary Islamism.

Civil Society
Iran

UkraineAlert

Jun 10, 2025

Modern Ukraine’s national journey can be traced on Kyiv’s central square

By Peter Dickinson

Since 1991, Kyiv's Maidan square has emerged from Ukraine’s post-Soviet identity crisis via two popular uprisings to become the sacred ground zero of a nation forged in the crucible of revolution and war, writes Peter Dickinson.

Civil Society
Conflict

Report

Jun 2, 2025

The fall of Assad has opened a door. But can Syria seize the moment?

By Qutaiba Idlbi, Charles Lister, and Marie Forestier

This report presents a realistic and holistic vision for Syria's transition, recovery, and its reintegration into the international system.

Civil Society
Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Jun 2, 2025

A tax on remittances could hurt US households—and national security

By Ananya Kumar

US policymakers should both protect and promote legal remittance channels to ensure that these funds can flow safely and efficiently.

Civil Society
Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

May 29, 2025

Judicial reform must be at the heart of Ukraine’s postwar recovery

By Oleksandr Vasiuk

Amid the horror and the trauma of Russia’s ongoing invasion, Ukrainians now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve transformational change in the country’s justice system. We must not miss this chance, writes Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Vasiuk.

Civil Society
Conflict

MENASource

May 28, 2025

Sectarianism, social media, and Syria’s information blackhole

By Gregory Waters and Kayla Koontz

Since Assad’s December ousting, Syrians have struggled to sift the truth from fake claims about security incidents across the country.

Civil Society
Middle East

Experts