As we honor aid workers and those they serve on World Humanitarian Day, it is important to consider the role security and civil liberties play in ensuring aid is safely delivered to those who need it. In the latest episode of "Democracy Pulse," Nina Dannaoui of the Freedom and Prosperity Center b...

As Paul Kagame prepares to be inaugurated for his fourth term on October 11, he extends a presidency that has lasted since 2000. Rwanda has increased significantly in prosperity, economic freedom, and rule of law under his tenure, but struggles in political freedom.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 08/09/24

After increases in the 1990s and 2000s, political freedom across the globe has been on the decline since 2013. Political rights and civil liberties have seen especially sharp drops in the past decade.

Freedom and Prosperity Center Deputy Director Nina Dannaoui breaks down the global freedom num...

After increases in the 1990s and 2000s, political freedom across the globe has been on the decline since 2013. Political rights and civil liberties have seen especially sharp drops in the past decade.

Freedom and Prosperity Center Deputy Director Nina Dannaoui breaks down the global freedom num...

Prosperity worldwide has struggled to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic, but the US has experienced a prosperity decline for an entire decade. The US still remains in the highest category of prosperity in the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes, but is struggling to progress compared to other cou...

Both China and Russia have both hit lows in freedom according to the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes. For the first time in our data's 29 year history, Russia has fallen below China.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 06/28/24

Mexico has just elected Claudia Sheinbaum as its next president in a landslide victory, and she will take office on October 1. As she prepares to become the country's next leader, attention will focus on separation of powers and strengthening political freedom.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 06/11/24

World Press Freedom Day, celebrated each year on May 3, is an important reminder that independent media is key to building informed and accountable societies.

The Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center tracks freedom across the globe, and a free press is a key component of political a...

Indian voters are heading to the polls from April 19 to June 1, in what will be the largest election in history.

As Prime Minister Modi runs for another term, the rights of religious minorities and political opposition are called into question.

The Atlantic Council's Freedom and Prosperity C...

Protests broke out after Parliament met to attempt to overturn a Constitutional Court ruling on election laws. James Storen breaks down Indonesia's trends in both rule of law and judicial independence and effectiveness in the latest episode of Democracy Pulse.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 09/06/24

"What we are seeking to do on a daily basis is set in order a ceasefire and hostage release deal that is good for the people of Israel, good for regional security, and ultimately good for the United States," said US Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) after being asked about the war in Gaza.

"I don't t...

Since 2014, over 7.7 million Venezuelans—a quarter of the country’s population—have fled their homeland, escaping political repression and economic collapse. And now, with Nicolás Maduro tightening his grip on power after falsely claiming victory in the country’s recent presidential election, a n...

On August 6th, Ukrainian forces crossed into Russia's Kursk Oblast, breaking new ground in the ongoing conflict.

Ukrainian commanders hope this move will shift the momentum of the war, but the Atlantic Council's Peter Dickinson writes that the tactic is more than just a military calculation. It'...

How will the killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur impact the war in Gaza?

"The ceasefire negotiations are likely to be delayed as a result of this, but they will continue," says William F. Wechsler, Senior Director at the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri C...

On Sunday, Venezuelans went to the polls to vote for their next president. Now, both candidates are declaring victory, amidst claims of voter intimidation and other irregularities carried out by the Maduro regime.

The election committee, which is controlled by current President Nicolás Maduro, ...

On Thursday, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres announced a Call to Action on extreme heat.

Arsht-Rock Resilience Center Global Chief Heat Officer Eleni Myrivili contributed to the Call to Action, and calls it “an important milestone for climate resilience” but “also only the begi...

After increases in the 1990s and 2000s, political freedom across the globe has been on the decline since 2013. Political rights and civil liberties have seen especially sharp drops in the past decade.

Atlantic Council Freedom and Prosperity Center Deputy Director Nina Dannaoui breaks down the g...

An Atlantic Council study tracking cryptocurrency regulations around the world shows that 2024 is a critical year for crypto-asset regulation.

While both emerging markets and advanced economies still lag on comprehensive regulations and oversight, among 60 countries reviewed in the study, more ...

Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski told the NATO Public Forum that his country will "do whatever it takes not to be a Russian colony again."

He also told the crowd gathered in Washington, DC, that Poland is already spending 4% of GDP on defense in 2024. He was speaking to the...

China is preparing for the most important meeting of the year, with Third Plenum of the Communist Party’s Central Committee beginning on July 15.

And while the party is touting investments in cutting-edge technologies, Jeremy Mark, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center...

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reaffirmed the US commitment to NATO, saying, "We will defend every inch of NATO, and we will continue to strengthen NATO's collective defense and deterrence."

He spoke at the NATO Public Forum in Washington, DC, on the sidelines of the 2024 NATO Summit.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said China "can't have it both ways."

"They cannot believe they can have a kind of normal relationship with NATO allies in North America and Europe, and then continue to fuel the war in Europe," he added.

Stoltenberg spoke at the NATO Public Forum in Wash...

After fourteen years in power, the United Kingdom's Conservative party is stepping aside, with Keir Starmer and Labour making big gains during the July 4 elections.

Jörn Fleck, senior director of the Atlantic Council's Europe Center, says the Labour victory reflected voters' frustrations surrou...

"Juneteenth is an important date because it allows us to reflect on freedom, equality, and justice for all," said Mary Elliott, Curator of American Slavery at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC.

"...when you use the word, inclusive, inclusive means al...