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

Japan

Thailand

Bangladesh

Campaign posters Feb. 6 of candidates running in the upcoming Japanese House of Representatives election, in Inagi, Tokyo prefecture.

Military & Security

Politics

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

The Weekly Rundown: Japan Holds Snap Elections, U.S. Weighs Options After Iran Talks

U.S.-Iran Relations

Snapshots

United Arab Emirates

Ukraine

Russia

Emirati flags on Feb. 4 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. On Feb. 4-5, delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the United States held a second round of trilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The talks are unlikely to produce a near-term settlement, as Russia will continue to press its territorial demands while using diplomacy to manage sanctions pressure and build leverage ahead of a spring-summer offensive.

The Limits of Russia-Ukraine-U.S. Talks

China

Russian soldiers wear chemical protection suits as they stand next to a military fueler on the base of a prime mover of Russian Topol intercontinental ballistic missile during a training session at the Serpukhov's military missile forces research institute some 100km outside Moscow on April 6, 2010.

Over time, this will intensify an ongoing buildup of nuclear capabilities across the globe and make crises involving nuclear powers more unpredictable and prone to miscalculations. 


Implications of the Last Major U.S.-Russian Nuclear Arms Control Agreement's Expiration

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: Feb. 5, 2026

India

A freight train on Aug. 26, 2025, in Ajmer India.

Economics

A U.S.-India trade deal will bring some relief to Indian exporters, but ambiguities over its scope, implementation timeline and myriad other flashpoints will risk undermining it.

An India-U.S. Trade Deal Will Face Ongoing Hurdles

A man walks past a mural painted on the outer walls of the former U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Despite recent momentum toward restarting talks, a deal will likely remain elusive due to the U.S.'s maximalist demands and Iran's red lines, sustaining the risk of U.S. (and likely Israeli) military action in the coming weeks. 

Can New U.S.-Iran Talks Avert a Greater Conflict?

Iranian newspapers one of them (R) with a headline in Persian reading "Iran is ready for a big response," Jan. 27 in Tehran in Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a range of military options against Iran.

The Weekly Rundown: The U.S. and Colombian Presidents Meet, The Threat of U.S. Strikes on Iran

Israel

Syria

A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces stands on a road between the Syrian villages of Safa and Tell Brak on Jan. 24, 2026.

The government's deal with the Kurdish-led SDF will reduce sectarian tensions, accelerate a U.S. withdrawal and open space for a Syria-Israel security pact, though risks from local violence and the Islamic State remain.

What a Kurdish Integration Deal Means for Syria's Stability

U.S. Naval Update Map: Jan. 29, 2026

The candidates running in Costa Rica's 2026 presidential election participate in a debate at the Supreme Electoral Tribunal in San Jose, Costa Rica, on Jan. 11, 2026. 

Although the president cannot run for reelection, his hand-picked successor will likely win the vote, keeping the right wing at the helm.

Costa Rica's Upcoming Election Will Likely Yield Policy Continuity

Armenia

Energy

Armenia and the United States signed a joint statement on the completion of negotiations on a civil nuclear cooperation agreement during U.S. Vice President JD Vance's visit to Yerevan, Reuters reported on Feb. 9. 

Armenia, U.S.: Washington Deepens Armenia Ties With Nuclear Deal During Vance Visit

Hong Kong SAR, China

United Kingdom

A Hong Kong national security court sentenced the 78-year-old media tycoon and British dual-citizen Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison on charges of foreign collusion and sedition, Reuters reported on Feb. 8.

Hong Kong: Lai Case Shows Political Assimilation and Will Strain U.S., U.K. Ties

Cambodia

Thailand's ruling conservative Bhumjaithai Party won the Feb. 8 elections by securing 193 out of 500 seats in the House of Representatives (up from 71), while the left-wing People's Party won 118 (down from 151), the populist, center-left Pheu Thai Party won 74 (down from 141), and the new, military-aligned Kla Tham won 58, Reuters reported on Feb. 9. 

Thailand: Bhumjaithai Election Victory Stabilizes Politics, Empowers Military

Bangladesh secured a reduced 19% U.S. tariff under a bilateral trade deal signed on Feb. 9, Reuters reported the same day.

U.S., Bangladesh: U.S. Reduces Tariffs on Bangladeshi Goods

In an interview with TV BRICS, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia sees no "bright future" for economic relations with the United States despite ongoing U.S.-brokered efforts to end the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported on Feb. 9.

Russia, U.S.: Moscow Downplays Economic Reset as Talks Stall

Indian opposition political parties and farmers' unions pledged to carry out protests over the coming days, including a strike on Feb. 12, to oppose the India-U.S. trade deal, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 9.

India: Opposition Parties, Farmers Pledge Protests After Interim Deal's Framework Announced

As part of the country's ongoing crackdown in the wake of nationwide protests earlier in 2026, Iranian security forces arrested at least four prominent reformist politicians, AP reported on Feb. 9.

Iran: Government Arrests Prominent Reformist Leaders as Crackdown Continues

Eurasia

Kazakhstan

The Central Asia-United States business forum, or B5+1, concluded in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Feb. 5, bringing together government officials and private sector representatives to advance economic cooperation across the region, Eurasianet reported Feb. 6.

Central Asia, U.S.: Washington Presses Economic Outreach at B5+1 Forum

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

Armenia, U.S.: Washington Deepens Armenia Ties With Nuclear Deal During Vance Visit

Hong Kong: Lai Case Shows Political Assimilation and Will Strain U.S., U.K. Ties

Thailand: Bhumjaithai Election Victory Stabilizes Politics, Empowers Military

U.S., Bangladesh: U.S. Reduces Tariffs on Bangladeshi Goods

Russia, U.S.: Moscow Downplays Economic Reset as Talks Stall

India: Opposition Parties, Farmers Pledge Protests After Interim Deal's Framework Announced

Iran: Government Arrests Prominent Reformist Leaders as Crackdown Continues

Central Asia, U.S.: Washington Presses Economic Outreach at B5+1 Forum

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