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

Israel

Palestinian Territories

China

Russia

India

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) looks at Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Nov. 30, 2018, during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet in the coming days.

Economics

Energy

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Military & Security

Politics

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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

The Weekly Rundown: A Trump-Putin Summit, the Deadline for a U.S.-China Tariff Pause

U.S.-China Relations

Snapshots

Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrive at a press conference after their summit on July 16, 2018, in Helsinki, Finland.

The meeting risks sidelining Ukraine and enabling Russia to delay sanctions, consolidate battlefield gains, and advance its strategic interests through a U.S.-Russia peace framework.

What To Expect From the Upcoming Trump-Putin Summit

Columns

On Security

DEA New York special agent in charge speaks to the press in New York City on Feb. 28, 2025, after the former leader of a brutal Mexican cartel, Rafael Caro Quintero, described by the White House as the world's ''most evil'' drug boss, pleaded not guilty to narcotics charges in New York.

Despite the political and diplomatic risks, Trump is more likely than not to launch some direct operations against Mexican cartels before he leaves office, potentially ranging from light and sporadic U.S. drone strikes to more extensive ground operations.

The Outlook for Trump's 'War' on Mexican Cartels

An oil tanker train passes near a refinery in Guwahati, India, on March 30, 2023. 

Global Trade

For now, India will likely keep importing cheap Russian oil in the hopes it can soon secure tariff relief, either directly via a U.S. trade deal or indirectly via a breakthrough in U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine.

Will Trump's Tariffs Deter India From Buying Russian Oil?

A 3D modeled town in the shape of the Chinese flag.

Trade tensions will exacerbate China's excess savings problems, but the economic situation will remain manageable

Beijing Grapples With Deflation, Overinvestment as Tariff Pressures Mount

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: Aug. 7, 2025

Bolivia

Bolivia's presidential candidates participate in a presidential debate in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, on Aug. 1, 2025.

Bolivia heads toward a political shift as voters prepare to oust the ruling left-wing MAS party amid economic woes, with right-wing candidates leading the polls ahead of pivotal August elections.

Economic Crisis Fuels Political Shakeup in Bolivia

Syria

Turkey

The new flag of Syria's interim government.

Parliamentary elections in September will cement Syrian leaders' power at the expense of many minority groups, deepening national fragmentation and heightening risks of violent unrest, particularly amid Israeli military intervention.

In Syria, Parliamentary Elections Will Deepen Political and Sectarian Divides

Germany

Uzbekistan

Tajikistan

Afghanistan

Pakistan

The flag of Afghanistan sits on the Afghan embassy in Moscow on July 4, 2025. 

As Afghanistan's neighbors deepen ties with the Taliban and Western states remain cautious, a widening diplomatic divide threatens to complicate efforts to address the country's worsening crises and regional security risks.

The Growing International Divide Over Taliban Ties Will Risk Regional Stability

Cambodia

Thailand

Poland

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Oval Office of the White House on July 22, 2025. 

The Weekly Rundown: Last-Minute U.S. Trade Talks, a New Polish President

Australia

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia will formally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly in September, joining the United Kingdom, Canada and France, The Australian Financial Review reported on Aug. 11.

Australia, Palestinian Territories: Canberra Offers Qualified Recognition of Palestine

South Korea

Vietnam

Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung agreed to expand bilateral trade from $86.8 billion in 2024 to $150 billion by 2030, signing 10 memorandums of understanding covering nuclear and sustainable energy, high-speed rail, finance and technology cooperation, Nikkei Asia reported on Aug. 11.

Vietnam, South Korea: Countries To Boost Trade, Investment and Defense Ties

Europe

EU foreign ministers convened an emergency video summit to discuss the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Politico reported on Aug. 11.

Europe, Ukraine, Russia: European Leaders To Meet Trump and Zelensky Ahead of Trump-Putin Meeting

Environment, Science & Technology

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed into law a bill relaxing environmental licensing rules but vetoed 63 of its nearly 400 articles, g1 reported on Aug. 8.

Brazil: Relaxation of Environmental Rules To Streamline Licensing Procedures, Despite Dilution

Nvidia and AMD agreed to pay the U.S. government 15% of their revenues from semiconductor sales in China to secure export licenses for their H20 and MI308 chips, the Financial Times reported on Aug. 10.

U.S., China: AMD, Nvidia Offer Revenue To Secure U.S. Chip Export Licenses to China

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met at the White House for a summit hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at advancing a long-elusive peace deal, Reuters reported on Aug. 8.

Armenia, Azerbaijan: White House Summit Sparks New Momentum in Peace Process

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the phone on Aug. 8 at Putin's request, according to China's state-owned Xinhua.

China, Russia: Beijing Pressures Moscow for Progress on Ukraine Ceasefire

North Korea

A spokesperson for South Korea's unification ministry said on Aug. 8 that, ahead of a U.S.-South Korea summit, the ministry is coordinating with Washington to support "peace on the Korean Peninsula and the resumption of inter-Korean ties."

South Korea, U.S.: Governments Consider Joint Pursuit of Peace With North Korea

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

Australia, Palestinian Territories: Canberra Offers Qualified Recognition of Palestine

Vietnam, South Korea: Countries To Boost Trade, Investment and Defense Ties

Europe, Ukraine, Russia: European Leaders To Meet Trump and Zelensky Ahead of Trump-Putin Meeting

Brazil: Relaxation of Environmental Rules To Streamline Licensing Procedures, Despite Dilution

U.S., China: AMD, Nvidia Offer Revenue To Secure U.S. Chip Export Licenses to China

Armenia, Azerbaijan: White House Summit Sparks New Momentum in Peace Process

China, Russia: Beijing Pressures Moscow for Progress on Ukraine Ceasefire

South Korea, U.S.: Governments Consider Joint Pursuit of Peace With North Korea

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support