2025 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes: How political freedom drives growth

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
2025 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes: How political freedom drives growth

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
2025 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes: How political freedom drives growth

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 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

Fast Thinking

Jun 22, 2025

How will Iran respond to US strikes on its nuclear program?

By Atlantic Council

Following the US strike on Iranian nuclear sites, Iran’s foreign minister said his country must respond. Atlantic Council experts look at Tehran’s options.

Conflict Iran

New Atlanticist

Jun 22, 2025

Trump made the right call. Will Khamenei do the same?

By William F. Wechsler

The Iranian regime is in a fundamentally weak position, and it should leap at this last opportunity to save itself.

Conflict Iran

New Atlanticist

Jun 21, 2025

Experts react: The United States just bombed Iran’s nuclear sites. Here’s what to expect next.

By Atlantic Council experts

Early on Sunday morning in the Middle East, US forces targeted Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Atlantic Council experts survey the fallout for Iran and for the region.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Jun 20, 2025

Inside Cairo’s ‘security first’ calculus on the March to Gaza

By Shahira Amin

Egypt's deterrence of the march are baffling to many, because the international initiative is in line with Egypt's declared position on Gaza.

Human Rights Israel

New Atlanticist

Jun 20, 2025

Russia’s shadow army: Central Asian migrants are dying in Ukraine

By Muhammad Tahir

Russia has recruited or coerced thousands of Central Asian migrants to fight for Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

Human Rights International Norms

New Atlanticist

Jun 20, 2025

What counts as ‘defense’ in NATO’s potential 5 percent spending goal?

By John R. Deni, Ryan Arick

The Alliance must ensure that “defense related” items truly contribute to collective defense as it plans its new, larger spending goal.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Jun 19, 2025

Addressing Georgia’s slide away from European integration

By Matteo Mecacci

Officials in Brussels and Tbilisi must act to rebuild trust and address the deteriorating relationship between Georgia and the European Union, writes Matteo Mecacci.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2025

What did not happen at the G7 Summit in Canada (and why it matters)

By Atlantic Council experts

Several expected outcomes from this year’s meeting of Group of Seven leaders in Alberta, Canada, didn’t materialize.

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2025

What should Trump do next on trade? Optimize existing US trade agreements in Central and South America.

By Enrique Millán-Mejía

The best way to foster sustainable growth for US exports to the region is to seek predictable rules of engagement with Western Hemisphere trading partners.

Americas Economy & Business
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Experts

Staff

Emily E. Kim

Program Assistant

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Korea Security & Defense

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Antti Rauhala

Programme Officer, International Energy Agency (IEA)

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Staff

Kate Springs

Program Assistant, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Norms

Fellow

Samantha Sutton

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Israel

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Resident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Achilles Tsirgis

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business European Union
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Events

Online Event Tue, July 29, 2025 • 10:30 am ET

One year later: Venezuela’s presidential election and the road ahead
Americas Civil Society Corruption Democratic Transitions
Online Event Wed, July 30, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

What did (and didn’t) happen at the EU-China Summit
China Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy