

Mexico (Partly free, declined from free in 2010): A Mexican soldier stands guard next to marijuana packages outside a tunnel discovered at a warehouse in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, near the border with the United States on Nov. 26, 2010.

Egypt (Not free): An Egyptian boy holds up a sign reading "Have mercy on Egyptian people" while standing next to a banner saying "No to fraud" as he takes part in a protest against election fraud in downtown Cairo on Dec. 4, 2010, on the eve of the second round of parliamentary elections.

Somalia (Not free): Somali refugees listen on Dec. 4, 2010, to U.N. refugee agency chief António Guterres (not pictured) at an internally displaced people's camp near Djibouti's capital. Thousands of Somalis have fled the bitter conflict in their country.

The new agenda: U.S. President Barack Obama makes remarks at a U.N. meeting on Sudan on Sept. 24, 2010, in New York City. Obama warned that the fate of millions lay in the balance in Sudan.

Ukraine (Partly free, declined from free in 2010): Protesters shout slogans during a Nov. 29, 2010, rally on Independence Square in Kiev. Thousands of Ukrainians have turned out in noisy demonstrations across the country against tax reforms proposed by President Viktor Yanukovych. The protests were one of the largest since the 2004 Orange Revolution that led to his previous ousting.

Ethiopia (Not free, declined from partly free in 2010): Ethiopian Orthodox churchgoers walk through a stream at Gish Abay on Aug. 17, 2010. The stream is part of the source of the Blue Nile.

India (Free): Indian supporters of the Gorkha People's Liberation Front (GJM) shout slogans and wave flags as they block National Highway 55 at Panchanai village on the outskirts of Siliguri on Jan. 12, 2011, on the first day of a 27-day long strike. India has been criticized for its close cooperation with autocratic regimes, particularly Burma.

Brazil (Free): Demonstrators protest against the visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Brasilia on Nov. 23, 2009. Former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's close relationship with Ahmadinejad proved controversial, at home and abroad.

Afghanistan (Not free): Afghan National Army recruits walk back to their formation after completing marksmanship training during basic warrior training at the Kabul Military Training Center on Jan. 11, 2011, in Kabul.
