<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

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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

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Russia

A soldier from the "Taifun" unmanned aerial vehicle unit prepares a new strike drone for flight on April 7, 2026 in Ukraine. 

Military & Security

Politics

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Although Moscow is threatening retaliation against Baltic states over supposed involvement in Ukraine's drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, the Kremlin will not risk a direct military confrontation with NATO.


Direct NATO-Russia Confrontation in the Baltic Unlikely, Despite Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Energy Infrastructure 

Columns

On Geopolitics

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South Asia

The Geopolitics of Demographics

Economics

Geopolitics of Demographics

Social Issues

Demographic decline, driven by falling fertility rates worldwide, is likely irreversible but will also increasingly differentiate countries based on their ability to adapt through sound immigration, labor, technological and fiscal policies.

Adapting to Demographic Decline: Policy Tradeoffs and Global Divergences

 A campaign billboard featuring a portrait of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is seen in Budapest's 3rd district on March 27, 2026.

Energy

Hungary's April 12 parliamentary elections are primed to be the country's most competitive national vote since 2010 and may remove Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party from power.

Hungary's Upcoming Elections May Unseat Orban After 16 Years

The Geopolitics of Natural Resources

Environment, Science & Technology

As competition for natural resources and critical raw materials intensifies, companies -- not just countries -- must be more mindful of risks in their physical supply chains.

The Geopolitics of Natural Resources: An Introduction

Cyber

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The second quarter will test global resilience as lingering conflicts and energy shocks converge to heighten economic uncertainty and geopolitical volatility.

2026 Second-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Iran

Cars drive past a gas station in Ponte Leccia on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica on March 26, 2026. 

To address Iran-related energy disruptions, the European Union will likely opt for a patchwork of national relief measures, rather than a more comprehensive market intervention.

How the EU Is Responding to Its Latest Energy Crisis

United States

Kuwait

Oman

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

India

A medicine distributor stores Mounjaro (tirzepatide) self-injecting GLP-1 prefilled pens and vials in a fridge at his office in Thane, India, on March 20, 2026. 

India's pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors are set to grow significantly over the next several years amid manufacturing incentives, regulatory reforms and trade deals.

The Growth Outlook for India's Pharmaceutical Sector Remains Strong, Despite Global Uncertainties

While far from deterministic, demographics plays a key role in influencing a country's domestic and international politics, as well as its economic and financial development.

The Geopolitics of Demographics: Politics and Economics

Snapshots

Opposition supporters celebrate the defeat of a referendum on justice reform March 23 in Rome. The defeat exposes limits to the Italian government's dominance, and may embolden the fragmented opposition and strain coalition unity.

The defeat of a highly politicized judicial reform referendum exposes limits to the Italian government's dominance, and may embolden the fragmented opposition and strain coalition unity.

What a Failed Italian Referendum Means for the Meloni Government

Israel

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.

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

U.S. Vice President JD Vance endorsed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban ahead of Hungarian parliamentary elections on April 12 in a joint press conference following a meeting in Budapest on April 7, Reuters reported the same day.

Hungary, U.S.: JD Vance in Hungary To Endorse Orban Ahead of Tight Election, Sign Energy Deals

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic claimed Serbian authorities discovered "an explosive of devastating power" near a gas pipeline connecting his country to Hungary, leading Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to imply, without directly attributing blame, that Ukrainian saboteurs were responsible, Politico reported on April 5.

Hungary, Serbia: Authorities Claim To Foil Pipeline Sabotage Plot but Face False-Flag Allegations

On April 6, OPEC+ agreed to increase oil production quotas for the month of May by 206,000 barrels per day, effectively agreeing to increase production once oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz return to normal levels.

Global: OPEC+ Agrees to Symbolic Production Hike as It Warns About Damage to Assets

Japan

South Korea

In two separate presidential proclamations signed April 2, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered changes to U.S. steel, copper and aluminum tariffs that would simplify the regime for low metal content goods and authorized new tariffs of up to 100% on certain imported pharmaceuticals.

U.S.: Trump Orders Changes to Steel, Copper and Aluminum Tariff Regime, Authorizes New Pharmaceutical Tariffs

The United Kingdom hosted virtual talks with representatives from more than 40 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, to begin forming a coalition aimed at restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the BBC reported on April 2.

Europe, Iran: U.K. Hosts Broad Coalition Talks To Explore Reopening Strait of Hormuz

EU member states formally approved a landmark agreement with the United Kingdom to integrate the British territory of Gibraltar, located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, into the operational rules of the Schengen area, according to an April 1 announcement from the European Commission.

EU, U.K.: EU Approves Gibraltar's Entry Into Schengen Area

U.S. President Donald Trump said in an April 1 interview with The Telegraph that he is strongly considering withdrawing the United States from NATO after allies declined to support U.S. military action against Iran.

NATO: Trump Threatens U.S. Withdrawal From NATO Amid European Resistance to Assist Iran Operations

Italy denied landing rights at its Sigonella air base in Sicily to U.S. military aircraft involved in the war against Iran, Corriere della Sera reported on March 31, citing government sources.

Italy, France, Iran: European Countries Signal Reluctance To Support U.S.-Israeli Operations in Iran

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

Hungary, U.S.: JD Vance in Hungary To Endorse Orban Ahead of Tight Election, Sign Energy Deals

Hungary, Serbia: Authorities Claim To Foil Pipeline Sabotage Plot but Face False-Flag Allegations

Global: OPEC+ Agrees to Symbolic Production Hike as It Warns About Damage to Assets

U.S.: Trump Orders Changes to Steel, Copper and Aluminum Tariff Regime, Authorizes New Pharmaceutical Tariffs

Europe, Iran: U.K. Hosts Broad Coalition Talks To Explore Reopening Strait of Hormuz

EU, U.K.: EU Approves Gibraltar's Entry Into Schengen Area

NATO: Trump Threatens U.S. Withdrawal From NATO Amid European Resistance to Assist Iran Operations

Italy, France, Iran: European Countries Signal Reluctance To Support U.S.-Israeli Operations in Iran

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