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

The clock tower outside of Canada's parliament building is seen in Ottawa, Ontario.

Economics

Global Trade

Military & Security

Politics

Canada's push to revive its economy and diversify its trade and security ties beyond the U.S. will likely see slow progress and could prompt U.S. retaliation, while the associated deficit spending will risk long-term fiscal strain.

The High Stakes of Canada's Attempt To Pivot Away From the U.S.

Israel

Saudi Arabia

Cambodia

Thailand

India

Pakistan

People watch the USS Gravely, a Navy warship, departing the Port of Spain on Oct. 30, 2025. The U.S. warship arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on Oct. 26, 2025, for joint exercises near the coast of Venezuela, as Washington ratcheted up pressure on drug traffickers and Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

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

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Saudi Meeting, Military Escalation in the Caribbean

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (C) after chairing a National Security Council on Nov. 11 in Bangkok. An armed clash on the Thai-Cambodian border raises the risk of escalations that unwind the two countries' recent peace accord, though a return to full-scale war is less likely due to U.S. economic and security leverage.

While the most likely scenario is recurring but contained flare-ups through early 2026, a more escalatory scenario remains plausible.

More Clashes, but Not Full-blown Conflict, Likely on the Cambodian-Thai Frontier

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: Nov. 13, 2025

Media

Podcasts

Why are Venezuela's relationships with Russia, Iran and China so important to the United States?

Essential Geopolitics: The Primary Drivers and Constraints of U.S.-Venezuela Tensions

Chile's presidential candidate Evelyn Matthei (C) poses with her team after registering her candidacy at the Electoral Service of Chile in Santiago on Aug. 16, 2025.

Far-right candidate Jose Antonio Kast is most likely to win, portending a shift toward pro-business policies and stricter security measures. But a leftist, center-right or ultra-right president could also be elected, each with different visions for Chile's future.

Chile's Presidential Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

China

Uzbekistan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Kazakhstan

Russia

Kyrgyzstan

U.S. President Donald Trump (C), joined by lawmakers and members of his administration, delivers remarks during a dinner with leaders of Central Asian countries in the East Room of the White House on Nov. 6, 2025.

Energy

The recent C5+1 summit highlighted the U.S.'s desire to boost cooperation with Central Asian countries on trade and critical minerals, but the region's geography, governance and reliance on China and Russia will ultimately limit the impact of such efforts. 

The Promise and Limits of Increased U.S. Engagement in Central Asia

Iraq

Syria

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

Environment, Science & Technology

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

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 

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

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexican airlines had agreed to transfer some flight slots at Mexico City International Airport to U.S. carriers, El Pais reported on Nov. 17.

Mexico, U.S.: Concession on Air Traffic Dispute Underscores Mexico's Willingness To Appease Washington

Cyber

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., pledged to invest $1 trillion in the United States and reportedly finalized a defense deal, while the United States plans to approve the sales of advanced artificial intelligence chips, The Guardian reported on Nov. 18.

U.S., Saudi Arabia: Saudi Crown Prince Meets With President Trump

Beginning in the early hours of Nov. 18, global online users began reporting outages linked to popular web-based services like chatbot tools ChatGPT and Claude, e-commerce giants Amazon and Shopify, and social media platform X, in addition to numerous media outlets, entertainment websites and gaming platforms, The New York Times reported the same day. 

Cyberspace: Cloudflare Outage Temporarily Disrupts Access to Popular Web-Based Services

Sub-Saharan Africa

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

South Asia

Rare earth yttrium oxide prices have reached $126 per kilogram, which is roughly a 1,400% increase since the beginning of 2025, when prices were about $8 per kilogram, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 17, citing Asian Metal data.

Global: Yttrium Oxide Prices Increase by 1,400% in 2025

Palestinian Territories

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The U.N. Security Council adopted a U.S.-backed resolution supporting the establishment of a "Board of Peace" helmed by U.S. President Donald Trump to transitionally govern the Gaza Strip through 2027, backing an international stabilization force to improve border security and demilitarize the Gaza Strip, and including a provision for a potential path toward a Palestinian state, Reuters reported on Nov. 17.

U.S., Israel, Palestinian Territories: UNSC Adopts Resolution Backing Trump's Gaza Plan

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would support proposed Senate legislation that would grant him the authority to impose tariffs on countries conducting business with Russia, particularly energy importers like China and India, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 17. 

U.S., Russia: Trump Endorses Sanctions Bill Targeting Russia's Trading Partners

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Nov. 14 and, according to Thai government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat, told Anutin that he did not want to interfere in the Thailand-Cambodia border issue, with Siripong also noting that U.S.-Thailand trade talks would proceed despite Thailand's recent suspension of its ceasefire with Cambodia, Reuters reported on Nov. 15.

Thailand, Cambodia: Bangkok Says U.S. Trade Talks Still On, But Demands Cambodia Apology

Thousands of people attended "Gen Z" demonstrations in Mexico, El Universal reported on Nov. 15.

Mexico: Disputed 'Gen Z' Protests Gather Thousands Countrywide, Escalate to Violence in Mexico City

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

Mexico, U.S.: Concession on Air Traffic Dispute Underscores Mexico's Willingness To Appease Washington

U.S., Saudi Arabia: Saudi Crown Prince Meets With President Trump

Cyberspace: Cloudflare Outage Temporarily Disrupts Access to Popular Web-Based Services

Global: Yttrium Oxide Prices Increase by 1,400% in 2025

U.S., Israel, Palestinian Territories: UNSC Adopts Resolution Backing Trump's Gaza Plan

U.S., Russia: Trump Endorses Sanctions Bill Targeting Russia's Trading Partners

Thailand, Cambodia: Bangkok Says U.S. Trade Talks Still On, But Demands Cambodia Apology

Mexico: Disputed 'Gen Z' Protests Gather Thousands Countrywide, Escalate to Violence in Mexico City

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support