The quest for freedom and prosperity in the Middle East and North Africa

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
The quest for freedom and prosperity in the Middle East and North Africa

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
The quest for freedom and prosperity in the Middle East and North Africa

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

The Freedom and Prosperity Equation

Sep 18, 2023

The quest for freedom and prosperity in the Middle East and North Africa

By Khémaies Jhinaoui

Following the Arab Spring, the lack of realism and inexperience of ruling regimes hindered progress. Three key lessons: the quest for freedom does not have to be radical; gradual reform is more effective, and foreign influence shapes the struggle for regional freedom and prosperity.

Democratic Transitions Freedom and Prosperity

The Freedom and Prosperity Equation

Sep 18, 2023

The role of elites in driving towards long-term prosperity: The case of Kenya in Sub-Saharan Africa

By Luis Ravina Bohórquez

Investigating the role of elites in ensuring a country's prosperity and development. Strong institutions and government policies are crucial to this process as they have the duty to empower society with the necessary tools to question nepotism and corruption.

Freedom and Prosperity Political Reform

The Freedom and Prosperity Equation

Sep 18, 2023

Informality as an anti-measure of prosperity

By Elakiya Ananthakrishnan

Inefficient public institutions and weak rule of law lead citizens to conduct business outside of regulated markets. The resulting informality impact countries’ overall prosperity.

Freedom and Prosperity Political Reform

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

Mexico “Mostly Free”? Mexico “Mostly Prosperous”?: Uncovering shades of gray in the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes

By Vanessa Rubio-Marquez

Freedom and prosperity are fragile ideals that depend on many factors that must be protected and consistently adjusted. Particular attention must be paid to countries where warning signs of decline are present.

Democratic Transitions Freedom and Prosperity

The Freedom and Prosperity Equation

Sep 18, 2023

Understanding India’s freedoms on the path to prosperity

By Prashant Narang and Parth J. Shah

Comparing India’s performance on the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes with others to identify improvement opportunities for India.

Freedom and Prosperity India

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

Inflection Points

Sep 17, 2023

On China, grant the US the wisdom to distinguish between what it can and cannot change

By Frederick Kempe

In crafting its strategy on managing its relations with China, the United States should begin with a geopolitical serenity prayer.

China Elections

In the News

Sep 16, 2023

Mühleisen quoted by Reuters on the importance of social component of new reforms in Argentina

Read the full piece here.

Civil Society Human Rights

In the News

Sep 15, 2023

Garlauskas appears as a guest on Brussels Sprouts

On September 15, Markus Garlauskas spoke on an episode of Brussels Sprouts, a transatlantic security-focused podcast. In this episode, titled “The New Authoritarian Axis: Russian Relations with North Korea and Iran,” Garlauskas discussed the recent Putin-Kim summit and the concerning implications of this developing relationship for containing North Korea’s WMD programs. He also addressed the […]

China Indo-Pacific
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Experts

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Daniel Di Giusto

Co-founder & Social Impact Strategist, Tech To The Rescue Foundation

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Civil Society

Fellow

Len Khodorkovsky

Nonresident senior fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Staff

Allison Minor

Director, N7 Research Institute

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Expert

Yi Zhou

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Democratic Transitions East Asia

Fellow

Helena Fee Rasch

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Eveline Debora Nuta

Founder & CEO, Kollabrix

Millennium Leadership Program

Eastern Europe Education
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Events

Online Event Mon, July 14, 2025 • 2:00 pm ET

Report launch: Russia’s future rulers
Corruption Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Populism