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

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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

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Could a single AI model render decades of corporate cybersecurity obsolete overnight?

The Decision Advantage: Will Mythos Change the Cybersecurity Landscape for Better or for Worse? 

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Right-wing activists gather with Israeli flags outside the Damascus Gate of the walled Old City of Jerusalem on May 26, 2025, during a flag march for Jerusalem Day, commemorating the Israeli army's 1967 capture of the city's eastern sector during the Arab-Israeli war.

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Israel's quest for middle-power status will be defined by its ability to unify its Jerusalem core, which has remained divided throughout the modern state's history.

The Modern Geopolitics of Israel

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Japan

South Korea

Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sept. 3, 2025, in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Elevated Tensions in the Middle East, Putin Heads to Beijing

U.S.-Iran Relations

Snapshots

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026.

Despite a mutual desire to stabilize relations, Xi and Trump's meetings produced few tangible results, sustaining the risk of future tariff escalations, export restrictions and other coercive measures.

Xi-Trump Talks Fail To Move the Needle on Major Issues

U.S.-China Relations

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: May 14, 2026

Commercial vessels are seen offshore in Dubai on March 11, 2026.

While recent revelations about the airstrikes indicate a shift in both countries' risk calculations, the UAE's hawkish, Israel-aligned posture poses a greater threat of Iranian retaliation than Saudi Arabia's more restrained approach. 

The UAE and Saudi Arabia Enter the War Against Iran, but With Separate Strategies

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a bilateral meeting in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025.

The May 14-15 meetings will likely yield a limited extension of the current U.S.-China economic detente while leaving core strategic disputes over technology controls, Taiwan and Iran largely unresolved.

Trump-Xi Summit Likely To Preserve Trade Truce, Test Strategic Fault Lines

Kenya

France

Boats on April 28, 2026 on Qeshm Island, Iran, in the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions between the United States and Iran will remain elevated, especially around the strait, following the May 7 U.S.-Iran exchange of attacks and Iranian attacks against the United Arab Emirates.

The Weekly Rundown: Elevated Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, France Convenes an Africa Summit

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Trucks haul away ore from a pit in the Chinese-owned Tenke Fungurume Mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 17, 2023.

Greater access to Congo's mining sector will likely help the U.S. further secure its cobalt and copper supplies, but ongoing security concerns in the Central African country and China's dominance over global mineral processing will limit the extent of these gains.

Trump Goes Hunting For Congo's Minerals

People wave Iranian pre-1979 Islamic Revolution and American flags while members of the Iranian community celebrate in front of the Federal Building on March 1, in Los Angeles. 

The recent exchange of fire around the Strait of Hormuz reflects calculated efforts by Washington and Tehran to re-establish deterrence and project strength, complicating already fragile negotiations.


Iran and U.S. Exchange Fire, Further Straining Ceasefire

A U.S. federal court in Miami, Florida, on May 20 indicted former Cuban President Raul Castro on one count of conspiracy against U.S. citizens, four counts of murder, and two counts of destruction of aircraft related to a 1996 incident in which Cuban jets shot down planes that were operated by Cuban exiles, Reuters reported the same day.

U.S., Cuba: U.S. Court Indicts Former Cuban President on Murder Charges

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to expand the Iran war "beyond the region" if U.S. or Israeli attacks against Iran resume, Reuters reported May 20.

Global: Iran Threatens To Expand Conflict 'Beyond the Region' if U.S. or Israeli Strikes Resume

Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast dismissed Security Minister Trinidad Steinert after only 69 days on the job, naming former Public Works Minister Martin Arrau as her replacement, Reuters reported May 19.

Chile: President Kast Replaces Security Minister in Cabinet Reshuffle

Europe

Negotiators from EU member states, the European Commission and the European Parliament are expected to finalize a compromise deal on legislation to implement the July 2025 EU-U.S. trade agreement on May 19, Politico reported on May 18.

EU, U.S.: Interinstitutional Negotiations Near Compromise on Legislation Implementing U.S. Trade Deal

U.S. President Donald Trump announced in a May 18 Truth Social post that he had called off a planned May 19 military attack on Iran following requests from Qatari, Saudi and Emirati leaders, who reportedly informed Trump that negotiations on a deal that includes "NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN" were progressing.

U.S., Iran: Trump Calls Off Planned May 19 Attack on Iran as Negotiations Reportedly Progress

Classified U.S. intelligence shared with Axios alleges that Cuba has acquired over 300 military drones and has recently been discussing plans to use them against the Guantanamo Bay U.S. military base and possibly Key West, Florida, Axios reported on May 17. 

Cuba, U.S.: U.S. Intelligence Alleges Cuba May Target Guantanamo Bay, Key West With Military Drones

Taiwan

Regarding a pending large U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, U.S. President Donald Trump said, "I haven't approved it yet…it depends on China. It's a very good negotiating chip for us," according to a Fox News interview aired on May 15.

U.S., Taiwan: Trump Calls Taiwan Arms Sales a 'Negotiating Chip' With China

Nigeria

U.S. forces reportedly killed around 20 Islamic State West Africa Province fighters on May 17 in airstrikes near Metele in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, following high-level operations on May 15 that killed ISWAP's deputy leader, Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, along with around three dozen fighters, The Wall Street Journal reported on May 18.

Nigeria, U.S.: Joint Operations Kill Islamic State's Second in Command, ISWAP Fighters

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., Cuba: U.S. Court Indicts Former Cuban President on Murder Charges

Global: Iran Threatens To Expand Conflict 'Beyond the Region' if U.S. or Israeli Strikes Resume

Chile: President Kast Replaces Security Minister in Cabinet Reshuffle

EU, U.S.: Interinstitutional Negotiations Near Compromise on Legislation Implementing U.S. Trade Deal

U.S., Iran: Trump Calls Off Planned May 19 Attack on Iran as Negotiations Reportedly Progress

Cuba, U.S.: U.S. Intelligence Alleges Cuba May Target Guantanamo Bay, Key West With Military Drones

U.S., Taiwan: Trump Calls Taiwan Arms Sales a 'Negotiating Chip' With China

Nigeria, U.S.: Joint Operations Kill Islamic State's Second in Command, ISWAP Fighters

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