Less freedom, weaker states, more conflict: can that cycle be broken?

New Atlanticist Mar 18, 2025

The Gaza cease-fire is over. What’s next from Israel, Hamas, and the US?

By Atlantic Council experts

In the early hours of March 18, Israel launched air strikes on Gaza, ending the two-month cease-fire. Atlantic Council experts answer pressing questions about the resumed conflict.
Conflict Israel
Less freedom, weaker states, more conflict: can that cycle be broken?

New Atlanticist Mar 17, 2025

Enough carrots for Putin. For better negotiations, serve ‘maximum pressure’ instead.

By Benjamin L. Schmitt, Richard L. Morningstar, and Daniel Fried

Since Russia appears content for negotiations to move slowly, the Trump administration should turn up the pressure with new sanctions.
Conflict Economic Sanctions
Less freedom, weaker states, more conflict: can that cycle be broken?

Issue Brief Mar 13, 2025

Present without impact? How the Middle East perceives China’s diplomatic engagement

By Jonathan Fulton

Despite economic advancements and high-profile diplomatic engagements, China’s influence remains largely economic rather than political, Jonathan Fulton argues.
China Economy & Business

Content

Issue Brief

Sep 19, 2023

Less freedom, weaker states, more conflict: can that cycle be broken?

By Patrick W. Quirk and Owen L. Myers

Why and how advancing freedom (political, economic, and judicial components) is the surest way to advance sustainable stability and associated prosperity.

Democratic Transitions Freedom and Prosperity

Global China

Sep 18, 2023

Global China Newsletter: Xi stiffs the G20, turns to the Global South

By Dexter Tiff Roberts

The September 2023 edition of the Global China newsletter.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Sep 18, 2023

Husain in the National Interest: The Abraham Accords three years on

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Sep 18, 2023

EVENT RECAP: New power dynamics in the MENA region after the Ukraine war

By Diane Mohamed

the Atlantic Council’s North Africa Program in partnership with the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) hosted a hybrid event, “New Power Dynamics in the MENA Region after the Ukraine Crisis.” The event featured an array of expert panelists who shed light on regional tensions, cooperation patterns in the eastern Mediterranean, and North Africa's role in regional and international power competition.

North & West Africa Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Sep 18, 2023

N7 Initiative mentioned in The New Arab on the anniversary of the Abraham Accords and the addition of Saudi Arabia

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

In the News

Sep 18, 2023

N7 Initiative mentioned in The Jewish News Syndicate on the successes of the Abraham Accords and the prospects for future cooperation in the region

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

The Freedom and Prosperity Equation

Sep 18, 2023

Dimensions of freedom and economic performance

By Ignacio Campomanes

Democracy can be strengthened significantly if we can rigorously show that free societies are also superior to autocracies in producing higher overall prosperity. Defining the attributes of liberal democracies is essential to understand the relationship between freedom and prosperity.

Freedom and Prosperity Macroeconomics

The Freedom and Prosperity Equation

Sep 18, 2023

The causal relationship between economic freedom and prosperity

By Jamie Bologna Pavlik, Benjamin Powell, and Andrew Young

Economic freedom not only correlates with prosperity but is an important cause of prosperity. Meaningful increases in economic freedom have been shown to lead to large increases in GDP per capita, supporting Adam Smith's assertion that increased economic freedom is an essential ingredient for greater prosperity worldwide.

Economy & Business Freedom and Prosperity

The Freedom and Prosperity Equation

Sep 18, 2023

Pathways to economic prosperity: Theoretical, methodological, and evidential considerations

By Markus Jaeger

Economic development is a complex, multi-causal phenomenon and it is useful to consider how different elements, including policies and institutions, interact to produce sustained economic growth. Depending on the situation, various reforms can nudge nations toward certain paths.

Freedom and Prosperity Macroeconomics

The Freedom and Prosperity Equation

Sep 18, 2023

Freedom, prosperity, and human development in Egypt: Why does freedom matter?

By Mohamed M. Farid

Egypt's development over the last 15 years has been limited by heavy-handed government intervention and poorly thought-out public spending. To go forward, Egypt must reduce the role of the state in the economy, implement free-market reforms, and focus public investments on human capital.

Economy & Business Freedom and Prosperity
Load More

Experts

Millennium fellow

Ala’a Kolkaila

Belfer Center Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School, Sloan Fellow - MBA'25, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Middle East

Fellow

Adel Hamaizia

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Fellow

Narushige Michishita

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Crisis Management Defense Policy

Staff

Emilia Pierce

Deputy Director, Operations and Finance

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Conflict

Fellow

Joel Meyer

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

Artificial Intelligence Defense Policy

Fellow

Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

Former Researcher

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arms Control Civil Society
Load More

Events

Online Event Tue, May 6, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

What to expect from Germany’s next government
Elections Europe & Eurasia European Union Germany
Public Event Wed, May 7, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Taking stock: Bilateral ties after 100 days of the Trump administration
Economy & Business International Markets Latin America Mexico
Online Event Tue, May 13, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Rethinking US policy options in Afghanistan
Afghanistan Economy & Business Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy
Load More