Do countries need freedom to achieve prosperity?

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
Do countries need freedom to achieve prosperity?

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
Do countries need freedom to achieve prosperity?

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

Report

Jun 1, 2022

Do countries need freedom to achieve prosperity?

By Dan Negrea, Joseph Lemoine, Matthew Kroenig, Joel Kesselbrenner

The Freedom Index and Prosperity Index are two separate indexes that rank one hundred and seventy-four countries around the world according to their levels of freedom and prosperity.

Civil Society Corruption

In the News

Jun 1, 2022

Khakova featured in BBC News on the EU’s Russian oil embargo
Eastern Europe Energy & Environment
Colombia

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jun 1, 2022

Advance democracy, security and rule of law

By Bill Brownfield

Go behind the scenes of the launching of Plan Colombia and explore the balancing act between the “hard side” and “soft side” of the foreign policy community, and how the flexibility of both sides and commitment of US and Colombian government made it a success.

Colombia Latin America
Oil pump at sunset

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Special investment case study

By Vicki Hollub

When I was asked to become the inaugural chair of the US-Colombia Business Council in 2017, I agreed without hesitation. My work in supporting two different administrations to help broaden and deepen bilateral social and economic ties is rooted in the extensive his- tory of Occidental Petroleum (“Oxy”) in Colombia. Almost forty years have passed […]

Colombia Latin America

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Prioritize internally displaced people

By Elizabeth Ferris

The history of internal displacement in Colombia, government responses, and the impact of the 2011 Victims Law and 2016 peace agreement provide the foundation for understanding recent challenges—and possible solutions— to continued and new displacements.

Colombia Latin America

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Advance energy transformation

By Thomas F. "Mack" Mclarty, III

Colombia and the United States could offer solutions to the world as it seeks to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Colombia Latin America

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Invest in peace

By Howard G. Buffett

Colombia is poised to prove to the world that it will be known for the peace it has brokered at home rather than the conflict endured for fifty years. This requires an enormous investment in development and close coordination among all stakeholders to ensure these commitments meet the needs of the people most affected.

Colombia Economy & Business
Aerial view of high-rise buildings in Bogota, Colombia.

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Forge a strong democracy

By Alejandro Eder

The US-Colombia alliance has achieved seemingly impossible feats over decades of close collaboration. Ensuring Colombia becomes a fully developed liberal democracy is the next step.

Colombia Latin America

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Learn from a democratic culture

By Kevin Whitaker

For decades, Colombia, through adversity and prosperity, has counted on one undeniable truth: the strength of its democracy.

Colombia Latin America

In-Depth Research & Reports

May 31, 2022

Commit to democracy

By Ambassador Paula J. Dobriansky

Through our security cooperation, counter-narcotics efforts, promotion of civil society, and environmental initiatives, we are supporting a strong foundation for democracy and the rule of law to flourish in Colombia.

Colombia Latin America
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Experts

Fellow

Fabio Petito

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Leon Leskovec

Head of Cabinet for Karlo Ressler, Member of the European Parliament

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

Laura Updegrove

Nonresident Senior Fellow, GeoStrategy Initiative

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Lukasz Lisicki

Policy Assistant to the Director-General for Energy, European Commission

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Energy & Environment

Fellow

Rza Aliyev

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Azerbaijani Central Asia

Fellow

Marek Magierowski

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
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Events

Public Event Tue, May 27, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson on Britain in an enduring transatlantic relationship
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense