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

Iran

Israel

Lebanon

A fireball and smoke erupt from a building following an Israeli strike in Tyre, southern Lebanon, on May 28.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Military & Security

The recent expansion of Israeli operations in southern Lebanon demonstrates an effort to degrade Hezbollah's capabilities prior to any finalized de-escalation agreements between the United States and Iran.


The Strategic Implications of Israel's Expanded Lebanon Campaign

U.S.-Iran Relations

Assessments

Supporters of Colombian presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda wave flags ahead of his closing campaign rally in Barranquilla, Colombia, on May 24, 2026.

Economics

Energy

Politics

A left-wing victory would portend increased social spending and policy gridlock, a far-right win would portend austerity and decree-based governance, and a center-right win would foster market-friendly policies and stability.

Colombia's Presidential Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: May 28, 2026

The USS Rafael Peralta implements a maritime blockade against an Iranian-flagged ship attempting to sail toward an Iranian port on April 26, 2026, in the Arabian Sea.

Despite ongoing U.S.-Iran diplomatic engagement, unresolved disputes and continued hostilities make prolonged, unstable containment more likely than a comprehensive, long-lasting peace agreement.

U.S.-Iran Talks More Likely To Contain the War Than Resolve It

Bolivia

Environment, Science & Technology

Global Trade

The Geopolitics of Natural Resources

Argentina, Bolivia and Chile are poised to benefit from the expected rise in lithium demand in the coming years, but they are unlikely to see a substantial surge in wealth without a more monumental market change.

The Outlook for the Lithium Triangle Amid the Global Energy Transition, Part 2

Argentina, Bolivia and Chile have had varying degrees of success in developing their lithium production capacity, with Chile achieving the greatest success of the three, and Bolivia lagging behind.

The Outlook for the Lithium Triangle Amid the Global Energy Transition, Part 1

Japan

Philippines

Armenia

Kazakhstan

Russia

India

A cargo ship anchored May 16 in the Strait of Hormuz near Larak Island, Iran. Major gaps in negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program persist, and the U.S.-Iran ceasefire will remain fragile over the next week.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Rubio Visits India, a Fragile U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche (center) speaks during a news conference announcing the indictment of former Cuban president Raul Castro, at the Freedom Tower in Miami, Florida, on May 20, 2026.

Recent U.S. escalations against Cuba are creating a pretext for kinetic action, most likely a targeted operation to capture key officials, though an airstrike campaign and/or a ground deployment also remain possible.

Assessing the Potential for U.S. Military Action in Cuba

Denmark

U.S. special envoy to Greenland, Republican Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (center right), and Greenlandic mason and Trump supporter Jorgen Boassen (center left) are pictured in Nuuk, Greenland, on May 20, 2026, on the sidelines of the Future Greenland business fair. 

Ongoing talks with Greenland and Denmark will likely yield a deal that meets most U.S. objectives without requiring formal annexation, though a broader transatlantic crisis remains possible if negotiations collapse.

Can the U.S. Reach a Compromise on Greenland That Averts a Transatlantic Crisis?

U.S. Naval Update Map: May 21, 2026

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump designated Brazil's two largest organized criminal organizations, Primeiro Comando da Capital and the Comando Vermelho, as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in a press statement May 28.

U.S., Brazil: U.S. Designates Two Brazilian Criminal Groups as Terrorist Organizations  

Despite reports that U.S. and Iranian negotiators had reached a memorandum of understanding, a May 29 report from Tasnim News, which is linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the text had not been finalized or approved. 

U.S., Iran: Iranian Media Rejects Reports of a Finalized U.S.-Iran MoU

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo agreed to joint military actions with the United States against drug trafficking groups within Guatemalan territory during a meeting between Arevalo and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on May 19, The New York Times reported on May 28.

U.S., Guatemala: Arevalo Reportedly Agreed to Joint Military Operations Against Criminal Groups

North Korea

Singapore

South Korea

Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told Singaporean media following his May 26 visit to North Korea that Pyongyang was not ready to open dialogue with the United States and South Korea, but was focused on self-reliance and developing its military.

North Korea, Singapore: Rare Visit Highlights Pyongyang's Diplomacy

U.S. and Iranian negotiators reached a memorandum of understanding to extend their ceasefire and begin negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, although U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian leadership must still approve the draft, Axios reported on May 28, citing U.S. officials.

U.S., Iran: Negotiators Reportedly Reach Draft MoU Amid Clashes

During a Cabinet meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the Iran conflict, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States preferred a diplomatic resolution and that there had been some progress in negotiations, AP reported on May 27.

U.S., Iran: Trump Meets With Cabinet To Discuss Iran War

Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent U.S. President Donald Trump a letter warning that Ukraine's shortage of air defense systems is worsening, with the most acute need being Patriot PAC-3 interceptors and other systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, the Kyiv Independent reported on May 27.

Ukraine, U.S.: Zelensky Warns Trump of Critical Patriot Shortages

China

Taiwan

The Taiwan People's Party on May 27 posted a notice on its website stating that TPP head Huang Kuo-chang had sent a letter to U.S. members of Congress calling for the U.S. Six Assurances to be codified into law, adding that "The U.S. commitment to Taiwan should be enduring and principled -- not an option to be bargained away through diplomatic horse-trading."

Taiwan: Third Party TPP Rejects U.S. Arms Sales as China Negotiating Chip

U.S.-China Relations

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., Brazil: U.S. Designates Two Brazilian Criminal Groups as Terrorist Organizations

U.S., Iran: Iranian Media Rejects Reports of a Finalized U.S.-Iran MoU

U.S., Guatemala: Arevalo Reportedly Agreed to Joint Military Operations Against Criminal Groups

North Korea, Singapore: Rare Visit Highlights Pyongyang's Diplomacy

U.S., Iran: Negotiators Reportedly Reach Draft MoU Amid Clashes

U.S., Iran: Trump Meets With Cabinet To Discuss Iran War

Ukraine, U.S.: Zelensky Warns Trump of Critical Patriot Shortages

Taiwan: Third Party TPP Rejects U.S. Arms Sales as China Negotiating Chip

Forecasts

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