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

Snapshots

China

Indonesia

Japan

Philippines

Taiwan

Crew members on a Chinese navy ship wave as they prepare to dock at Indonesia's Tanjung Perak Port on Aug. 2, 2026. 

Military & Security

Politics

China's recent naval drill with Indonesia appears aimed at asserting de facto jurisdiction around Taiwan, raising the risk of at-sea clashes and increased tensions with the U.S., Japan and the Philippines.

China's Latest Drills Near Taiwan Aim To Assert De Facto Jurisdiction

U.S.-China Relations

Assessments

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: Aug. 13, 2026

Rescuers and volunteers search for survivors under a collapsed building in Pereira, Colombia, on Aug. 11, 2026, following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake.

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

The magnitude 7.4 earthquake will test President Abelardo de la Espriella's nascent administration, while simultaneously exacerbating fiscal and security challenges and creating significant operational and compliance risks for businesses.

Colombia's New Government Faces an Early Test After Major Earthquake

Syria

A Russian aircraft takes off from an airport in northeastern Syria's Hasakah province on Jan. 27, 2026. 

Syria's cooperation with the U.S. to remove nuclear materials and reduce Russian military influence will support its reconstruction efforts, but security challenges will continue to hinder major infrastructure projects.

Syria's Pro-U.S. Policy Shift May Secure Sanctions Relief, but Challenges Persist

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during the Workers' Party national convention in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Aug. 2, 2026.

Regardless of who wins the presidency in October, Congress's growing control over budget allocation will likely increase institutional friction, fragment procurement processes and hinder pro-business policymaking.

Brazil's Presidential Race Reflects a Deeper Shift in Political Dynamics

Nigeria

Zambia

Iran

Morocco

Oman

Europe

Spain

Migrants wait to receive water on a beach in the North African Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Aug. 2, 2026.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Extreme Weather in China and Europe, More Migrant Crossings Into Spain

Media

Australia

Fiji

Solomon Islands

Tuvalu

Vanuatu

Podcasts

Who are the main players, and what are the primary frameworks holding it all together?

The Decision Advantage: The Security Architecture of the Pacific Islands

U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh holds a press conference in Washington, D.C., on July 29, 2026. 

Changes to the central bank's inflation, balance sheet and communication strategies could increase financial market volatility, though the Fed's commitment to price stability will remain intact.

Previewing Potential U.S. Fed Policy Changes Under Warsh 

U.S. Naval Update Map: Aug. 6, 2026

Denmark

Russia

The Geopolitics of Natural Resources

Energy

Greenland's large deposits of critical minerals make the island one of the few potential alternatives to Chinese supply chains, but material constraints and diplomatic disputes will obstruct large-scale production.

The West's Quest To Exploit Greenland's Critical Minerals

Argentina's Central Bank will relax restrictions on onshore dollar lending and allow banks to increase foreign currency credit to companies with revenue in pesos, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 13.

Argentina: Central Bank Eases Restrictions on Dollar Lending for Companies

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States plans to unveil more extensive economic measures against Iran during the week of Aug. 17, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 14.

U.S., Iran: U.S. To Unveil Additional Economic Measures Against Iran 

U.S.-Iran Relations

Israel

Lebanon

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the Israeli Defense Forces would not withdraw from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, Reuters reported on Aug. 13. 

Lebanon, Israel: Israel Ties Withdrawal to Hezbollah Disarmament, Eyes New Military Operation

President of the U.S.-China Business Council Sean Stein told the South China Morning Post in an interview published on Aug. 13 that he had seen little evidence there would be a "sizable deliverable" pertaining to the U.S.-China Board of Investment at a planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington on Sept. 24.

U.S., China: Board of Investment Stagnating Ahead of Unambitious Summit

Venezuela's interim government and the 2015 National Assembly delegation opposition group led by Dinorah Figuera issued a joint statement agreeing to reform the judiciary and seek access to frozen funds, El Pais reported on Aug. 12.

Venezuela: Government and Opposition Agree to Limited Changes to the Judiciary

United Kingdom

U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby said AUKUS was moving "full steam ahead" but declined to guarantee the transfer of three secondhand Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia by 2032 per the agreed timeline, the Australian Financial Review reported on Aug. 13.

Australia, U.S.: Submarine Production Shortfall Will Continue To Threaten AUKUS Timeline

Palestinian Territories

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Israel deployed extra forces to the town of Qusra outside of Nablus in the West Bank in an attempt to protect a Palestinian-American-owned home from Israeli settlers who were besieging it after pressure from the United States, NPR reported on Aug. 13. 

Palestinian Territories, Israel: U.S. Intervenes in Settler Attack, Hamas To Run in PLC Elections

Cyber

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a national security memo on Aug. 12 directing federal law enforcement agencies to create a program enabling them to carry out offensive cyber operations targeting transnational organized crime syndicates, with assistance from private sector companies.

U.S.: Trump Signs Directive Opening Door to Private Sector Cyber Help in Targeting Transnational Crime

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

Argentina: Central Bank Eases Restrictions on Dollar Lending for Companies

U.S., Iran: U.S. To Unveil Additional Economic Measures Against Iran

Lebanon, Israel: Israel Ties Withdrawal to Hezbollah Disarmament, Eyes New Military Operation

U.S., China: Board of Investment Stagnating Ahead of Unambitious Summit

Venezuela: Government and Opposition Agree to Limited Changes to the Judiciary

Australia, U.S.: Submarine Production Shortfall Will Continue To Threaten AUKUS Timeline

Palestinian Territories, Israel: U.S. Intervenes in Settler Attack, Hamas To Run in PLC Elections

U.S.: Trump Signs Directive Opening Door to Private Sector Cyber Help in Targeting Transnational Crime

Forecasts

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