The Americas stretch from the Arctic Circle in Canada to the southern tip of Chile. This geographically, culturally and politically diverse region is home to the United States, a nation whose geography helped it become the foremost economic and military power in the world &mdash; an ascendance aided in part by bringing Mexico and Canada into its sphere of influence. Farther south, the nations of South America are like islands, separated by vast spaces of impenetrable mountains, rivers and jungles. Try though these countries may to integrate more closely, deeper ties such as those that characterize North America will prove elusive.

This geographically, culturally and politically diverse region is home to the United States, a nation whose geography helped it become the foremost economic and military power in the world

Americas

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Barbados

Belize

Brazil

Canada

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Cuba

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

El Salvador

Grenada

Guatemala

Guyana

Haiti

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Suriname

Bahamas

Trinidad and Tobago

United States

Uruguay

Venezuela

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Greenland

Jamaica

Venezuela's Unraveling

Colombian Peace Process

Security Challenges in Latin America

Tracking U.S. Naval Power

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

The Importance of Mexico

North America Unrivaled

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

Crossing Borders

Assessments

Iraq

Syria

China

Campaign posters Nov. 6 ahead of Nov. 11 Iraqi parliamentary elections in central Baghdad.

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Politics

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Iraqi Elections, a U.S.-China Deal Enters Effect

U.S.-China Relations

South Sudan

Burundi

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ethiopia

Kenya

Malawi

Mozambique

Rwanda

Tanzania

Uganda

Zambia

Japan

Europe

The Geopolitics of Trade

Global Trade

Over the next decade, Kenya and Tanzania will compete for the title of East Africa's leading trade gateway, particularly as global demand for Central Africa's critical minerals grows. 

The Geopolitics of Trade: The Race to Unlock East Africa, Part 1 

This map shows the approximate locations of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups and Amphibious Ready Groups.

U.S. Naval Update Map: Nov. 6, 2025

Nigeria

A Nigerian soldier stands guard at a checkpoint at the entrance to Monguno, Borno state, Nigeria, on July 4, 2025. 

Military & Security

Trump wants Nigeria to take action against the armed groups targeting Christians in the country, but Abuja will face challenges in sustaining such operations, which could lead to unilateral U.S. military action if there are fresh instances of intercommunal violence.

Will the United States Take Military Action in Nigeria?

The COP30 logo at the central building is seen ahead of the COP30 Brazil Amazonia 2025 on Nov. 3, 2025 in Belem, Brazil. 

Energy

Social Issues

The 30th U.N. Climate Change Conference is poised to highlight the enduring impasse between developed and developing nations, particularly regarding financial responsibilities and the transition from fossil fuels.

A Breakthrough on Climate Targets is Unlikely at Brazil's COP30

Spain

Uzbekistan

Ukraine

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Kazakhstan

Russia

Kyrgyzstan

Tanks on Sept. 23 in Caracas, Venezuela. The Trump administration has reportedly decided to attack military sites in Venezuela in strikes that could occur at any moment.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: Potential U.S. Strikes in Venezuela, U.S. Outreach in Central Asia

Iran

A girl walks past posters and banners depicting political candidates from rival blocs competing for a seat in the Iraqi Council of Representatives in old Mosul, northern Iraq, on Oct. 28, 2025, days before the Nov. 11, 2025, parliamentary elections.

Backed by a coalition that reaches across ethnic and sectarian divides, Iraq's current prime minister will likely maintain his position after the country's upcoming parliamentary elections, portending relative foreign policy continuity.

Assessing Iraq's Political Landscape Ahead of Legislative Elections

Global Elections

A U.S. Marine V-22 Osprey takes off from Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport, formerly Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, on Sept. 13, 2025, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. 

The Trump administration will likely expand its attacks against alleged drug traffickers in the region over the next year, potentially extending to land-based targets, which will create safety, operational and compliance challenges for organizations.

The Outlook for U.S. Strikes on Drug Traffickers in Latin America and the Caribbean

A flag displaying the logo for Russia's Lukoil oil giant flies near a Russian flag in Moscow on Oct. 23, 2025.

The sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil aim to financially coerce Russia into negotiating a ceasefire in Ukraine, but patchy enforcement and continued Asian demand for Russian crude will limit the impact.

New U.S. Sanctions Strike at the Heart of Russia's War Economy

Snapshots

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and China's President Xi Jinping leave after their talks at the Gimhae Air Base, in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025. 

The framework deal favors China by boosting its export competitiveness, but future escalations with the U.S. are likely over the coming year due to differing interpretations of the new measures and ongoing trade tensions.

China Secures Favorable U.S. Trade Deal, New Escalations Still Likely

South Korea

An official from South Korea's Office of the President said the country plans to build its first nuclear-powered submarine domestically with enriched uranium from the United States, Reuters reported on Nov. 7. 

South Korea, U.S.: Seoul Claims Nuclear Submarine Will Be Built Domestically

Swiss commodity trader Gunvor withdrew its bid to acquire Russian oil giant Lukoil's international assets, including refineries, oilfields and retail networks in Europe, Iraq and Central Asia, after the U.S. Treasury Department publicly denounced the deal, calling Gunvor a Kremlin "puppet," and signaled it would not grant a sanctions waiver, Bloomberg reported Nov. 6.

Russia: Swiss Firm Gunvor Withdraws Bid To Buy Lukoil Assets After U.S. Calls It a Kremlin 'Puppet'

Netherlands

The CEO of German car parts supplier AUMOVIO said shipments of chips from Dutch-headquartered semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia's China unit have resumed and that the company received an exemption from Chinese export controls, the Financial Times reported on Nov. 7.

EU, China: Nexperia Chip Exports Pave Way for Netherlands To Relinquish Control of Dutch Chipmaker

Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian military, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, told troops in the city of Maiduguri that they should prepare for a new offensive against jihadist groups in the northeast of the country, the Daily Post reported on Nov. 7. 

Nigeria: Army Chief Hints at Fresh Anti-Jihadist Push in Northeast As Pentagon Advances Military Planning  

Sudan

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, said that it had accepted proposals by the United States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for a humanitarian truce and that it was looking to begin talks on a cessation of hostilities agreement, Sudan Tribune reported Oct. 6.

Sudan: RSF Accepts U.S. Proposals for Humanitarian Truce As Al-Burhan Doubles Down on Hostile Rhetoric 

Israel

During an Oval Office meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Nov. 6 confirmed his country's decision to join the Abraham Accords in a trilateral call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

U.S., Israel: Kazakhstan Agrees To Join Abraham Accords

At U.S. urging, the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution lifting sanctions on Syria's provisional President Ahmad al-Sharaa and interior minister Anas Hasan Khattab that were designed to target members and supporters of terrorist groups like the Islamic State and al Qaeda, AP reported on Nov. 6.

Syria: U.N. Lifts Sanctions in Win for Reconstruction, Though Obstacles Remain

The U.S. Geological Survey added 10 new materials to its List of Critical Minerals when it published the final version of the list on Nov. 6, bringing the total to 60. 

U.S.: USGS Adds 10 Materials to List of Critical Minerals

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

South Korea, U.S.: Seoul Claims Nuclear Submarine Will Be Built Domestically

Russia: Swiss Firm Gunvor Withdraws Bid To Buy Lukoil Assets After U.S. Calls It a Kremlin 'Puppet'

EU, China: Nexperia Chip Exports Pave Way for Netherlands To Relinquish Control of Dutch Chipmaker

Nigeria: Army Chief Hints at Fresh Anti-Jihadist Push in Northeast As Pentagon Advances Military Planning

Sudan: RSF Accepts U.S. Proposals for Humanitarian Truce As Al-Burhan Doubles Down on Hostile Rhetoric

U.S., Israel: Kazakhstan Agrees To Join Abraham Accords

Syria: U.N. Lifts Sanctions in Win for Reconstruction, Though Obstacles Remain

U.S.: USGS Adds 10 Materials to List of Critical Minerals

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