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

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: Dec. 18, 2025

Sub-Saharan Africa

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

South Asia

A container ship arrives Oct. 10 at the Port of Oakland, California. In 2026, political calculations among major global players will significantly shape international affairs.

Cyber

Economics

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Military & Security

Politics

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

In 2026, political calculations among major global players will significantly shape international affairs.

2026 Annual Forecast: A Global Overview

Ukraine

Russia

A stock photo shows banknotes of the Russian ruble. 

The European Union using immobilized Russian assets to fund financial support for Ukraine will probably not have major reputational or financial consequences for the eurozone.


Using Frozen Russian Assets To Fund Ukraine Unlikely To Majorly Impact the Euro

South Africa

France

The Ukrainian flag is projected on the facade of Berlaymont, the European Commission headquarters, in Brussels on Nov. 18 to commemorate the Nov. 18, 2024, Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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 European Council Decision on Ukraine Financing, South Africa Braces for Commission Findings

Iran

Israel

Lebanon

Palestinian Territories

Yemen

Israeli air defence systems are activated to intercept Iranian missiles over the Israeli city of Tel Aviv amid a fresh barrage of Iranian rockets on June 16, 2025.

If effective, the laser air defense system will significantly reduce the cost of intercepting short-range aerial threats and bolster Israel's multilayered protection against aerial attacks.


The Role of Iron Beam in Israel's Evolving Defense Architecture

U.S. Naval Update Map: Dec. 11, 2025

Jordanian police close the entrance of a Muslim Brotherhood headquarters on April 23, 2025, in Amman, Jordan.

While the White House has initiated a review process to label the Muslim Brotherhood a Foreign Terrorist Organization, it is unlikely to result in a comprehensive ban on the group.

U.S. Unlikely To Broadly Designate Muslim Brotherhood as a Terrorist Organization

China

Philippines

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address before lawmakers at the House of Representatives on July 22, 2024 in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. 

A widespread corruption scandal is threatening to cause political instability in the Philippines, which could lead to policy paralysis and weaken the Philippines' posture against China.

A Corruption Scandal Threatens Political Crisis in the Philippines

Cambodia

Thailand

A Thai soldier points out an area on a map near the Cambodian border during a press visit on Aug. 16, 2025, in Sisaket, Thailand. 

Renewed fighting along the border could surpass the July clashes in scale, and while U.S. pressure will likely compel both countries to return to the ceasefire, the risk of future flare-ups will remain high.

Latest Thailand-Cambodia Clashes Will Test U.S. Appetite for Intervention

Snapshots

The U.S. Navy's Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group participates in joint operations with the U.S. Air Force on Nov. 13, 2025.

Increased military mobilizations, failed negotiations with Maduro and persistent aggressive rhetoric suggest the Trump administration will likely soon escalate its Caribbean military campaign to targeted strikes in Venezuelan territory.

The U.S. Remains Poised To Attack Venezuelan Territory

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said no consensus had been reached on a peace plan with Russia and Western partners following a recent round of talks with U.S. and European officials, Ukraine's national public broadcaster Suspilne reported on Dec. 18.

Ukraine, U.S.: Zelensky Signals Stalemate Ahead of Miami Talks

Bolivia

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz on Dec. 17 declared an economic emergency, cutting fuel subsidies, Bloomberg reported on Dec. 18. 

Bolivia: President Declares Economic Emergency, Cuts Fuel Subsidies

Mexican state-run oil company Pemex has awarded five of the 11 new joint venture contracts it had planned to close by year-end, Reuters reported on Dec. 17.

Mexico: Pemex's JVs Attract Limited Private Sector Interest Under New Interventionist Framework

Syria

The U.S. Senate repealed the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act in a 77-20 vote with bipartisan support to permanently end U.S. sanctions on Syria, the Financial Times reported on Dec. 17.

U.S., Syria: U.S. Congress Repeals Caesar Act Sanctions

Taiwan

The United States initiated congressional notification procedures for a proposed $11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, the largest in history, covering high-mobility artillery rocket systems, howitzers, drones and anti-tank missiles, Reuters reported on Dec. 18.

Taiwan, U.S.: Washington Announces Record-Breaking $11B Arms Sale

U.S.-China Relations

Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to allow Turkey to return the S-400 missile defense system it received in 2019 and recoup billions of dollars spent on the initial purchase, potentially in deductions from Turkey's oil and natural gas import bills, Bloomberg reported on Dec. 17.

Turkey, Russia, U.S.: Erdogan Seeks To Return Russia's S-400 To Ease U.S. Sanctions

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, Reuters reported on Dec. 16.

U.S., Venezuela: Trump Orders Total Blockade of Sanctioned Tankers Around Venezuela

North Korea

South Korea

The U.S.-led U.N. Command objected to a bill proposed by South Korea's ruling Democratic Party earlier in 2025 that would give Seoul, rather that the U.N. Command, control of nonmilitary access to the inter-Korean demilitarized zone, Yonhap News Agency reported on Dec. 17.

South Korea, U.S.: Unification Ministry Risks U.S.-ROK Rift on DPRK Policy

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

Ukraine, U.S.: Zelensky Signals Stalemate Ahead of Miami Talks

Bolivia: President Declares Economic Emergency, Cuts Fuel Subsidies

Mexico: Pemex's JVs Attract Limited Private Sector Interest Under New Interventionist Framework

U.S., Syria: U.S. Congress Repeals Caesar Act Sanctions

Taiwan, U.S.: Washington Announces Record-Breaking $11B Arms Sale

Turkey, Russia, U.S.: Erdogan Seeks To Return Russia's S-400 To Ease U.S. Sanctions

U.S., Venezuela: Trump Orders Total Blockade of Sanctioned Tankers Around Venezuela

South Korea, U.S.: Unification Ministry Risks U.S.-ROK Rift on DPRK Policy

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