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

Iran

Israel

Lebanon

Europe

Colombia's President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella (R) delivers a speech during a military parade commemorating Colombia's Independence Day in Medellin, Colombia, on July 20, 2026. 

Cyber

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Military & Security

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: Columbia's New President Takes Office, Brussels Gains AI Act Enforcement Powers

U.S.-Iran Relations

Ethiopia

South Africa

Egypt

Saudi Arabia

China

Russia

India

(From left to right) Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attend a plenary session at the BRICS summit in Kazan on Oct. 24, 2024.

The bloc's push to develop an independent payment system for trade will not immediately undermine the U.S. dollar's global dominance, though it could reduce the effectiveness of U.S. sanctions.

The Implications of an Independent BRICS Payment System

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: July 30, 2026

Damaged structures are seen at the site of a U.S.-Saudi strike against Iran-backed militias in Bartalla, northern Iraq, on July 29, 2026. 

Energy

As the conflict picks back up, Trump must decide whether to offer Iran major concessions, which would alienate hawkish Republicans at home, or escalate military operations at the risk of reigniting a broader regional war.

Trump Once Again Weighs His Options Against Iran

Iraq

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) speaks during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (2nd-L) in the Oval Office of the White House on July 14, 2026.

While the Iraqi prime minister's visit to the White House yielded some deals, implementation constraints will likely eventually lead to renewed U.S. economic pressure, further straining Baghdad's finances.

New U.S. Agreements Unlikely to Ease Iraq's Economic Woes

Snapshots

Chilean lawmakers in Congress celebrate at the end of the voting session on the economic reform bill on July 21, 2026.

Chile is poised to soon enact one of its broadest economic reform packages in decades, which will likely boost investor confidence and regulatory certainty, but at the expense of rising fiscal pressures.

What To Expect as Chile Prepares to Enact Sweeping Economic Reform Bill

Columns

On Security

This photo illustration shows the ChatGPT logo at an office in Washington, D.C., on March 15, 2023.

The autonomous targeting of Hugging Face by OpenAI's models highlights the urgent need for organizations to prepare for advanced cyberattacks orchestrated entirely by AI agents.

Beyond the Hype of Autonomous AI Breaches

United Kingdom

Ukraine

A couple rides past Iranian-made Zolfaghar missiles displayed at Azadi Square in Tehran on July 24.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: A Likely U.S. Escalation in Iran, Zelensky Travels to Washington

Middle East and North Africa

Yemen

Yemeni protesters take part in a demonstration held to send a message of defiance against the continued siege and any military escalation involving Saudi forces against Houthi-controlled northern Yemen on July 17. 

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Forced to bypass the disrupted Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia's increased reliance on alternative routes leaves its critical oil shipments vulnerable to Houthi attacks.


Yemen's Houthis Threaten Saudi Oil Exports With Red Sea Blockade

U.S. Naval Update Map: July 23, 2026

Cuba announced new plans to open up the private sector, including allowing businesses to import fuel and medication and allowing private tourist companies to more easily operate on the island, Reuters reported on July 30.

Cuba: Government Further Opens Economy to Private Industry

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held a video call with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, China's trade envoy to the United States, late on July 30, in which Bessent said he emphasized expectations that China uphold its "commitments on rare earths and U.S. agricultural products," according to Axios.

U.S., China: Trade Call Shows Limited Aims for September Xi-Trump Summit

U.S.-China Relations

Argentina's President Javier Milei proposed a reform package on July 30 to strengthen the central bank's governance and prevent it from financing government spending, La Nacion reported the same day.

Argentina: Central Bank Reform To Help Shield Economic Turnaround

North Korea

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said preliminary evidence indicated that Russia used a North Korean ballistic missile to strike a home in Radushne, near Kryvyi Rih, killing two parents and three of their children, Reuters reported on July 30.

Russia, Ukraine: Russia's Use of North Korean Missiles Deepens Ukraine's Air Defense Crisis

The European Commission will gain powers to enforce the rules for providers of general-purpose artificial intelligence models under the bloc's AI Act on Aug. 2, empowering its AI Office to demand information, conduct evaluations, order corrective measures, withdraw models from the EU market and impose fines of up to 15 million euros ($17 million) or 3% of global turnover, Politico reported on July 31.

EU: Brussels To Gain Enforcement Powers Over Most Capable AI Models

The Brazilian government will only formally approve Daniel Perez as the next U.S. ambassador to Brazil after the October general election, Poder360 reported on July 29.

Brazil, U.S.: Diplomatic Tensions Escalate as Brazilian General Election Approaches

Burundi

Kenya

Somalia

Uganda

Turkey

Uganda is convening a summit of officials from countries contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, or AUSSOM, on July 29-31, Garowe Online reported on July 29.

Somalia: AUSSOM Troop Contributors Hold Summit After U.S. Vows to Pull Funding 

The United States conducted airstrikes overnight on Iranian territory for the first time in days, striking targets around southern Iran, including Kish Island, Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas, Al Jazeera reported on July 30.

U.S., Iran: U.S. Resumes Limited Airstrikes on Iran

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

Cuba: Government Further Opens Economy to Private Industry

U.S., China: Trade Call Shows Limited Aims for September Xi-Trump Summit

Argentina: Central Bank Reform To Help Shield Economic Turnaround

Russia, Ukraine: Russia's Use of North Korean Missiles Deepens Ukraine's Air Defense Crisis

EU: Brussels To Gain Enforcement Powers Over Most Capable AI Models

Brazil, U.S.: Diplomatic Tensions Escalate as Brazilian General Election Approaches

Somalia: AUSSOM Troop Contributors Hold Summit After U.S. Vows to Pull Funding

U.S., Iran: U.S. Resumes Limited Airstrikes on Iran

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