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

United Arab Emirates

An Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft prepares for landing as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16.

Military & Security

Politics

A military response from the United States aiming to compel Iranian concessions without committing to ground operations could trigger a prolonged cycle of retaliatory attacks between U.S. allies and Iran.


Iran, U.S. Ceasefire at Elevated Risk of Collapse After Iran Attacks UAE

U.S.-Iran Relations

Economics

Energy

The Geopolitics of Natural Resources

If President Lula wins reelection in October, his administration would continue balancing the promotion of green initiatives with the expansion of mining and drilling, while retaining strategic neutrality in the U.S.-China competition.

The Balance Between Environmental and Extractive Policies in Brazil's Presidential Election, Part 1

Australia

Japan

United Kingdom

India

An oil products tanker at Muscat Anchorage on March 21, 2026 at Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman. 

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.K. Elections, Iran War Resumption Risk

An oil tanker is seen docked in the southeastern Iranian coastal city of Chabahar, on the Gulf of Oman, in February 2019.

Chabahar is poised to transition from an ambitious commercial venture to a symbolic strategic asset, as India seeks to maintain long-term access and regional influence until sanctions conditions become clearer.

Expired U.S. Sanctions Waiver Threatens India's Chabahar Port Project in Iran

Media

Podcasts

What are the key domestic pressures impacting U.S. strategy?

The Decision Advantage: The Outlook for U.S.-Iran Negotiations

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

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

Iraq

A member of the Iraqi security forces stands guard next to a national flag as pilgrims march from the center of Baghdad toward the shrine of Imam Moussa al-Kadhim, the seventh of 12 revered imams in Shiite Islam, during an annual religious commemoration on Feb. 16, 2023.

Ali al-Zaidi's lack of experience and ties to a U.S.-sanctioned bank will complicate his attempts to form a government by the constitutional deadline.

Iraq's Prime Minister-Designate Likely To Struggle To Form Government

Bahrain

Kuwait

Oman

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

The city skyline in Dubai is seen at sunset.

Although Gulf capitals are increasingly investing in mid-tier autonomy and offensive capabilities, achieving total strategic independence remains constrained by their enduring need for high-end American systems.

The Future of GCC Defense and Security Strategies in a Changing Middle East

South Korea

Vietnam

Europe

Russia

Employees walk at the construction site of a gas metering station, part of the pipeline link between Bulgaria and Greece near the village of Malko Kadievo, on March 18, 2022. 

The Weekly Rundown: No U.S.-Iran Breakthrough, EU Ban on Spot Market Russian LNG

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

The Mexican government announced an update to its Plan Mexico industrial policy, aiming to fast-track permits for projects worth more than $110 million, El Economista reported on May 4. 

Mexico: Government To Fast-Track Permitting in Update to Industrial Policy

South Korea is launching a likely days-long investigation into the cause of an explosion and fire aboard a South Korean-operated commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which all 24 crew members survived unscathed, Yonhap News Agency reported on May 5.

South Korea, U.S.: Seoul Reviews Hormuz Mission After Vessel Fire

The Emirati Ministry of Defense said in multiple May 4 statements that the United Arab Emirates' air defense systems were engaging with Iranian missiles and drones, which appear to have caused a fire at an oil facility in Fujairah.

Iran: Iran Attacks UAE, U.S. Claims It Sank Six Small Iranian Boats

The Cuban government reaffirmed on May 2 its refusal to negotiate political or economic reforms with the United States, and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said U.S. President Donald Trump had elevated threats to "dangerous and unprecedented" levels, Deutsche Welle reported on May 3.

Cuba, U.S.: Cuba Says It Will Not Negotiate Reforms as U.S. Steps Up Sanctions

The United States began a mission to "guide" stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, calling on them to transit in waters near Oman through an "enhanced security area" that could include guided-missile destroyers, aircraft and increased troop presence, though details are limited, AP reported on May 4.

U.S., Iran: U.S. Begins 'Guiding' Mission for Vessels in Strait of Hormuz, Iran Launches Attacks

China

China's Ministry of Commerce issued an injunction blocking domestic compliance with U.S. sanctions on five Chinese refiners accused by Washington of buying Iranian oil, state news agency Xinhua reported on May 2.

China, U.S.: Beijing Prohibits Compliance With U.S. Sanctions Over Iran

U.S.-China Relations

European trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic will meet U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Paris, France, on May 5, following U.S. President Donald Trump's May 1 threat to raise tariffs on EU car and truck imports to 25% from 15%, citing alleged noncompliance with the U.S.-EU trade agreement reached in July 2025, Politico reported on May 4, citing a European Commission spokesperson.

EU, U.S.: Trump Threatens Higher Auto Tariffs on EU, Raising Risk of Further Trade Escalation

Germany

The Pentagon announced plans to withdraw around 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany over the next six to 12 months, though it remains unclear which bases would be affected and whether forces would return to the United States or be redeployed elsewhere, Reuters reported on May 1. 

Germany, U.S.: U.S. Plans 5,000-Troop Drawdown From Germany, Cancels Long-Range Missile Deployment

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

Mexico: Government To Fast-Track Permitting in Update to Industrial Policy

South Korea, U.S.: Seoul Reviews Hormuz Mission After Vessel Fire

Iran: Iran Attacks UAE, U.S. Claims It Sank Six Small Iranian Boats

Cuba, U.S.: Cuba Says It Will Not Negotiate Reforms as U.S. Steps Up Sanctions

U.S., Iran: U.S. Begins 'Guiding' Mission for Vessels in Strait of Hormuz, Iran Launches Attacks

China, U.S.: Beijing Prohibits Compliance With U.S. Sanctions Over Iran

EU, U.S.: Trump Threatens Higher Auto Tariffs on EU, Raising Risk of Further Trade Escalation

Germany, U.S.: U.S. Plans 5,000-Troop Drawdown From Germany, Cancels Long-Range Missile Deployment

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