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

Denmark

France

Italy

Ukraine

Russia

The European Parliament building in 2019 in Strasbourg, France. Parliament is set to hold a plenary vote March 26 on implementing the 2025 EU‑U.S. trade framework agreement.

Energy

Military & Security

Politics

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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 Vote on the EU‑U.S. Trade Framework, the Iran Conflict Continues

U.S.-Iran Relations

Bahrain

Kuwait

Oman

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

People walk along the corniche area on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026.

Economics

Global Trade

Disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will compel Gulf Cooperation Council states to invest in alternative trade routes and more resilient physical infrastructure.

Gulf Arab States, Shaken by Iran War, Plan Economic Pivot

Danish Defense Minister and top candidate of Denmark's Venstre party, Troels Lund Poulsen (left), and Danish Prime Minister and top candidate of the Social Democrat Party, Mette Frederiksen (right), attend a debate in Copenhagen on March 15, 2026.

Environment, Science & Technology

The upcoming parliamentary elections could result in three distinct coalitions that would offer varying continuity in domestic economic policy and Copenhagen's approach to U.S. pressure over Greenland.

Denmark's General Elections: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

Sub-Saharan Africa

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

A farmer sprinkles fertilizer over a crop of cauliflower on the outskirts of Bangalore, India, in November 2020.

The Strait of Hormuz blockade is straining global supplies of nitrogen- and phosphorus-based fertilizers, which could lead to lower crop yields, higher food prices and fiscal strain for agricultural producers if the disruptions persist.

Assessing the Iran War's Impact on Global Fertilizer Supplies

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: March 19, 2026

Japan

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addresses a news conference at the Prime Minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 18.

The Japanese prime minister may offer economic and security concessions during her upcoming summit with the U.S. president to avoid direct entanglement in the Iran conflict while preserving the relationship with Washington.

Iran War Heightens Stakes of Key Takaichi-Trump Summit

Europe

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

A U.S.-led naval mission to protect ships from Iranian attacks would likely begin only after the war's intensity decreases, and even then, it would take weeks to organize and yield only a limited return of maritime traffic through the strait.

The Obstacles Facing the U.S. Plan for Strait of Hormuz Naval Escorts

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

The Geopolitics of Demographics

Social Issues

Demographics may not be destiny, but it does play a major role in questions of national power.

The Geopolitics of Demographics: An Introduction

China

A large plume of smoke rises March 7 over Tehran after explosions were reported in the Iranian capital during the night.

The Weekly Rundown: The Iran War Continues, Takaichi Meets With Trump

Media

Podcasts

What will happen to U.S. interest rates if the war continues?

The Decision Advantage: Economic Impacts of the War on Iran

Cyber

The Trump administration on March 20 issued a national artificial intelligence framework focused on six key areas: protections for children, infrastructure resilience, fair use for creative works, free speech, innovation and workforce development.

U.S.: White House Unveils AI Framework

U.S. federal prosecutors are conducting at least two separate investigations into Colombian President Gustavo Petro over alleged meetings with drug traffickers and whether his presidential campaign solicited funds from criminals, The New York Times reported on March 20.

U.S., Colombia: U.S. Prosecutors Investigate Petro Over Connections With Drug Traffickers

U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and pressed her to expand Japan's security role in the Strait of Hormuz, and while Takaichi declined to commit direct military involvement, she left open limited non-combat support, The Asahi Shimbun reported on March 20.

Japan, U.S.: Trump-Takaichi Summit Deepens Industrial Ties but Highlights Limits to Security Cooperation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a press conference that Iran no longer has the capabilities to enrich uranium or produce ballistic missiles, two of Israel's main war goals, Reuters reported on March 19.

Israel, Iran: Netanyahu Claims Iran Is Unable To Enrich Uranium, Produce Ballistic Missiles

Chad

Chad plans to deploy 800 police officers and gendarmes to Haiti by June as part of a U.N.-backed international Gang Suppression Force aimed at supporting Haitian authorities against powerful armed gangs, Reuters reported on March 20.

Chad: 800 Troops To Be Deployed to Haiti

Police in Wuhan arrested seven people and gave administrative penalties to four companies amid a crackdown on trafficking in nationally controlled fentanyl precursors, China's official outlet Xinhua reported on March 19.

China, U.S.: Fentanyl Arrests Will Help Beijing Avoid Higher U.S. Tariffs

U.S.-China Relations

The FBI seized two websites affiliated with Iran-linked hacktivists known as Handala, TechCrunch reported on March 19.

Iran, U.S.: FBI Seizes Infrastructure of Iran-Linked Group Behind Stryker Hack

Malaysia

Malaysia's trade minister said the U.S.-Malaysia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade is "no longer applicable" following the U.S. Supreme Court's Feb. 20 ruling striking down the International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariff mechanism central to the deal, Nikkei Asia reported on March 18.

Malaysia, U.S.: Kuala Lumpur Declares Trade Deal 'Null and Void'

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S.: White House Unveils AI Framework

U.S., Colombia: U.S. Prosecutors Investigate Petro Over Connections With Drug Traffickers

Japan, U.S.: Trump-Takaichi Summit Deepens Industrial Ties but Highlights Limits to Security Cooperation

Israel, Iran: Netanyahu Claims Iran Is Unable To Enrich Uranium, Produce Ballistic Missiles

Chad: 800 Troops To Be Deployed to Haiti

China, U.S.: Fentanyl Arrests Will Help Beijing Avoid Higher U.S. Tariffs

Iran, U.S.: FBI Seizes Infrastructure of Iran-Linked Group Behind Stryker Hack

Malaysia, U.S.: Kuala Lumpur Declares Trade Deal 'Null and Void'

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