<p>To the west of Eurasia lays Europe, a region predisposed to division. It is surrounded on nearly all sides by islands and peninsulas that make it difficult for Europe to cohere. The northern half of the continent, moreover, sits on a plain whose short, meandering rivers tend to empower countries without forcing them to work with others. The southern half is situated on more mountainous terrain that has historically impeded the creation of strong, unified economies. As a result, Europe is a continent riven by pockets of distinct cultures whose differences are all too often irreconcilable.</p>

Europe is a continent riven by pockets of distinct cultures whose differences are all too often irreconcilable.

Europe

Belize

Andorra

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Holy See

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

North Macedonia

San Marino

Sweden

United Kingdom

Bulgaria

Portugal

Serbia

Croatia

Poland

Romania

Cyprus

Norway

Austria

Slovakia

Albania

Slovenia

Netherlands

Switzerland

Spain

Montenegro

Monaco

Italy

Ireland

Iceland

Hungary

Kosovo

Beyond Quantitative Easing

The Ukraine Conflict

The Politics of Pipelines

EU: Regional Blocs

Divided EU Foreign Policies

Brexit

The Fate of the Eurozone

Banking

Crossing Borders

Globalization

European Disintegration

Echoes of the Cold War

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

Snapshots

India

A giant Indian flag is displayed from the country's embassy in London on May 7, 2025.

Economics

While the agreement will support both countries' economic diversification efforts, U.K. regulatory standards and supply chain challenges will limit some gains for India.

What To Expect as the India-U.K. Trade Deal Enters Force

Assessments

United States

A 20 euro note.

Politics

The European Union is likely to advance banking reforms in 2027 that reduce internal barriers to cross-border banking, boosting its financial competitiveness by freeing up funds tied up in savings, but will stop short of significantly greater fiscal and financial risk sharing.

Brussels Seeks To Boost the EU Banking Sector's Competitiveness

Iran

China

Myanmar

Philippines

People pass a large banner depicting U.S. President Donald Trump with a target on his head during funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leade, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 5 in Tehran, Iran.

Military & Security

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.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates, ASEAN and Major Power Foreign Ministers Meet

U.S.-Iran Relations

Ukraine

Moldova

A man checks the flags of EU countries in 2004. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Recent negotiations saw Montenegro and Albania pushed into advanced legislative alignment while Brussels expanded accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.


The Progress, Prospects and Risks of EU Enlargement

Andy Burnham delivers a speech on June 29, 2026, in Manchester, England. 

As prime minister, Andy Burnham will likely maintain continuity on fiscal, foreign and defense policies within tight budget and market constraints, along with an incremental approach to EU relations.

Previewing Burnham's Premiership in the U.K.

Israel

Lebanon

Indonesia

Singapore

Thailand

Russia

ASEAN leaders hold hands for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the 48th ASEAN summit in Cebu, central Philippines on May 8, 2026. 

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Iran Tensions Remain High, ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meet With Myanmar

EU flags are displayed in the EU Council headquarters on July 9, 2026, in Brussels, Belgium.

While the European Union is unlikely to adopt the Spanish plan, it could drive an incremental expansion of common borrowing for strategic priorities like defense and industrial competitiveness.


Spain Broaches EU Taboo With Common Debt Proposal

A German flag flutters in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany. 

Global Trade

The package of reforms aims to revive productivity and lift Europe's largest economy out of its multi-year slump, though the package's limited nature and global trade headwinds will limit the impact in the medium term.


Germany's Labor-Market Reforms Could Lead to Modest Economic Improvements

Journalists surround French far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen (center) as she arrives with National Rally president Jordan Bardella (third from right) for a campaign rally in La Fleche, France, on July 8, 2026.

With the launch of Le Pen's campaign, the National Rally appears set to win France's 2027 presidential election, signaling a coming policy shift toward EU confrontation and weaker NATO integration, though various constraints would temper implementation.

As Le Pen Returns to the Race, What Would a Far-Right Presidency Look Like in France?

Protestors hold national flags as they gather outside Albania's prime minister's office to oppose the construction of luxury resorts, in Tirana on June 25.

Social Issues

Driven by grievances like corruption and declining public trust, protests in the Western Balkans have evolved into deep challenges to ruling elites.


The Implications of Serbia and Albania's Massive Protest Waves

Cyber

Environment, Science & Technology

European Council President Antonio Costa plans to hold the first dedicated debate on artificial intelligence among EU leaders at one of the year's three remaining summits in October, November or December, Politico reported on July 21.

EU: Leaders To Hold First Dedicated AI Debate by Year-End

Azerbaijan

Energy

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed a joint declaration establishing a strategic bilateral agenda and a separate agreement creating an Azerbaijan-Germany Business Council in Berlin, AZERTAC reported on July 21. 

Azerbaijan, Germany: Strategic Agenda Will Deepen Energy and Transit Ties

New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham named former Defense Secretary John Healey as Treasury chief, with figures previously considered favorites, such as Shabana Mahmood and Ed Miliband, named to the Home and Foreign Offices, respectively, while Wes Streeting became defense secretary, Reuters reported on July 20.

U.K.: New Prime Minister Unveils Cabinet and First Cost-of-Living Measures

Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok, an ally of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, signed a constitutional amendment approved by Prime Minister Peter Magyar's ruling Tisza party, immediately ending his term, Reuters reported on July 18. 

Hungary: Prime Minister Peter Magyar Ousts Orban-Appointed President

Andy Burnham took office as the United Kingdom's prime minister on July 20 following Keir Starmer's resignation, and he is expected to begin announcing Cabinet appointments later in the day, Reuters reported on July 20.

U.K.: Andy Burnham Takes Office as Prime Minister

The European Commission on July 17 presented its Electrification Action Plan, setting a nonbinding target to double the share of electricity in the bloc's final energy consumption to 46%, alongside an Emissions Trading System review that slows mandated emissions cuts and extends free permits for industry, a press release shows.

EU: Commission Unveils 2040 Electrification Target, Softer Carbon Market Rules

Andy Burnham was confirmed as leader of the United Kingdom's ruling Labour Party, positioning him to assume the office of prime minister after outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns on July 20, The Guardian reported on July 17.

U.K.: Burnham Set To Become Prime Minister as Soon as the Week of July 20

India and the United Kingdom's Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement took effect on July 15 and eliminated British tariffs on 99% of Indian exports, benefiting sectors such as processed foods, marine products, engineering goods, textiles, leather, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and gems and jewelry, Reuters reported the same day.

India, U.K.: Trade Deal Takes Effect

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

EU: Leaders To Hold First Dedicated AI Debate by Year-End

Azerbaijan, Germany: Strategic Agenda Will Deepen Energy and Transit Ties

U.K.: New Prime Minister Unveils Cabinet and First Cost-of-Living Measures

Hungary: Prime Minister Peter Magyar Ousts Orban-Appointed President

U.K.: Andy Burnham Takes Office as Prime Minister

EU: Commission Unveils 2040 Electrification Target, Softer Carbon Market Rules

U.K.: Burnham Set To Become Prime Minister as Soon as the Week of July 20

India, U.K.: Trade Deal Takes Effect

Forecasts

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