A key aspect of fostering global development is ensuring that all people have access to quality educational opportunities. In honor of International Education Day being celebrated on January 24, Nina Dannaoui uses the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes to highlight thirty years of global progress on ...

Justin Trudeau's recent resignation came amidst intensifying debates in Canada about a host of key policy issues. With elections set to be held this year, Will Mortenson examines the challenges ahead for Canada's new leadership.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 01/16/25

John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress has won Ghana's election, and is set to return to the Presidency in 2024 after his first term from 2012-2017. As he prepares to address the country's economic crisis, James Storen examines trends in both Ghana's economic and political freedom.

ORIG...

The recent election in the United States highlights the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions across the world. Will Mortenson breaks down recent trends in our political freedom subindex, which provides a look at democratic standards in 164 countries.

Ukraine is now firing US and British-supplied long-range missiles deeper into Russia, after a reversal in policy from the Biden administration.

The Atlantic Council’s John Herbst, a former US ambassador to Ukraine, says the US policy shift is coming “unnecessarily late”, but it could help Ukra...

November 16 marks International Day for Tolerance, promoting respect and appreciation for human rights of all individuals and social groups. Nina Dannaoui breaks down both global and regional trends in the minorities indicator in the Prosperity Index, which measures discrimination against minorit...

Ruling party Georgian Dream was declared the winner of Georgia's October 26 Parliamentary elections, but international election observers reported voter intimidation and coercion. In the wake of this pivotal election, James Storen breaks down trends in Georgia's political and overall freedom in t...

Celebrating International Day of Rural Women, Nina Dannaoui highlights the role women in rural areas play in creating economic prosperity in this edition of Democracy Pulse. Sub-Saharan Africa has seen impressive growth in women's economic freedom in the past 30 years, with Zimbabwe leading the w...

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...