Content

UkraineAlert

Jul 24, 2025

Wartime protests prove Ukraine’s democratic instincts are still strong

By Peter Dickinson

This week’s nationwide protests are a reminder that Ukraine’s grassroots democratic instincts remain exceptionally strong despite the current wartime conditions in the country, writes Peter Dickinson.

Civil Society Conflict

MENASource

Jul 24, 2025

In a sectarian Syria, the winners should refrain from taking all

By Marie Forestier 

To avoid the complete supremacy of HTS-supporting Sunnis, it is crucial to adopt power-sharing mechanisms ensuring inclusiveness

Democratic Transitions International Norms

UkraineAlert

Jul 22, 2025

Ukraine rocked by first wartime protests amid attacks on anti-corruption agencies

By Andrew D’Anieri

For more than a decade, Ukrainians have been fighting a two-front war: against Russian aggression and against high-level political corruption. So it's puzzling to see Kyiv move to gut independent anti-corruption agencies, writes Andrew D'Anieri.

Civil Society Corruption

MENASource

Jul 22, 2025

Why the violence in my hometown, Swaida, goes beyond ‘rivalry.’

By Majd AlGhatrif

US officials described the events as “a rivalry” between Syria's Druze and Bedouins. But this framing strips the crisis of its historical and political context.

Civil Society Conflict

UkraineAlert

Jul 21, 2025

Wartime Ukraine must translate international attention into investment

By Viktor Liakh, Anna Derevyanko

The 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference showed that the country has the political backing and business potential to emerge stronger than ever, but this potential is not enough. The time for action and investment is now, write Viktor Liakh and Anna Derevyanko.

Conflict Corruption

Russia Tomorrow

Jul 14, 2025

The next generation: Russia’s future rulers

By Mikhail Zygar

The latest report in the Atlantic Council’s Russia Tomorrow series explores the rising generation in the Kremlin-connected elite and what this shift means for Russia’s future.

Corruption Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Jul 9, 2025

Five questions (and expert answers) about the ICC arrest warrants against Taliban leaders for crimes against women and girls 

By Atlantic Council experts

Our international law experts unpack the implications of the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants against the Taliban’s supreme leader and chief justice.

Afghanistan Human Rights

UkraineAlert

Jun 26, 2025

Russia’s persecution of the Crimean Tatars must not be forgotten

By Mercedes Sapuppo

Events will take place across Ukraine this week to mark Crimean Tatar Flag Day. However, there will be no celebrations in Crimea itself, writes Mercedes Sapuppo.

Conflict Human Rights

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

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

Experts