<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

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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

Assessments

United States

Iran

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

Economics

Military & Security

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

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

South Asia

The Geopolitics of Demographics

Environment, Science & Technology

Politics

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

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil talks to the media before the start of an Eurogroup ministers meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on March 9, 2026. 

While the EU is making some progress on a capital markets union, a fully unified market remains unlikely anytime soon due to fragmented national laws and disagreements over centralized regulatory control.

A European Capital Markets Union: Incremental Progress and Enduring Obstacles

Chile

Colombia

Israel

Lebanon

China

Plumes of smoke rise following reported explosions in Tehran on March 2, 2026, after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28 killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top military leaders, prompting a new wave of Iranian retaliatory missile attacks across the region. 

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

The Weekly Rundown: War in the Middle East, U.S.-China Trade Talks

U.S.-Iran Relations

The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) on Feb. 25 at the quay of the North Port in Malmo, Sweden. A prolonged conflict in the Middle East would increase Europe's exposure to security risks, including potential attacks on European-linked assets, renewed migration pressures and an elevated terrorism threat, particularly if European capitals assume a more active military or diplomatic role against the Iranian regime.

A protracted regional war threatens to expose the Continent to risks ranging from cyberattacks against critical infrastructure to a renewed influx of asylum seekers.

Prolonged Conflict in Iran Would Elevate Security, Migration Threats Against Europe

A woman holds a photo of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Iranians protest against attacks on Iran by Israel and the United States on Feb. 28, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. 

Energy

Global Trade

Depending on the duration of maritime disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the escalating conflict is set to subject European economies to significant energy market volatility.

European Economic Growth Likely To Suffer From Impact of U.S. and Israel-Iran War

Canada

Australia

Japan

India

The Tehran skyline on Dec. 30, 2025. On March 2, U.S. and Iranian negotiators will meet in Vienna, Austria, to begin technical talks on a nuclear deal.

The Weekly Rundown: The Conflict in the Middle East, Merz meets Trump 

Snapshots

A digital illustration shows energy and power icons set with the EU flag. 

By embedding 'Made in Europe' requirements into public procurement, the upcoming Industrial Accelerator Act represents a fundamental shift in EU economic policy.

The EU's 'Made in Europe' Plan Will Fuel Internal Divisions, Transatlantic Tensions

Icelandic flags are seen on a street in Reykjavik.

The prospect of a summer referendum on EU accession reflects a strategic pivot driven by heightened anxieties over transatlantic security.


In Iceland, Security Concerns, Domestic Politics Catalyze Renewed Debate Over EU Membership

European Union and Australian flags together.

European and Australian negotiators aim to strengthen supply chain resilience and hedge against growing global trade volatility.


The Strategic Logic Behind Revived Australia-EU Free Trade Talks 

Finland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are exploring a new multilateral mechanism to jointly finance and procure weapons, munitions and other military equipment with the aim of accelerating defense investment and expanding demand amid Europe's broader rearmament push, according to a March 17 joint statement by the three governments.

U.K., Netherlands, Finland: Countries Explore New Joint Defense Financing and Procurement Mechanism

Belgium

Ukraine

Russia

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said the European Union should normalize relations with Russia to restore access to cheaper energy, according to a March 14 interview with L'Echo.

Belgium, Russia: Belgian Prime Minister Calls for EU Normalization With Moscow, Renewed Energy Trade

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she had discussed with the United Nations the possibility of a Black Sea grain deal-type agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and would discuss the possibility of expanding the mandate of the European Union's Red Sea naval mission to protect vessels transiting the strait, Reuters reported on March 16.

MENA: Plans Emerge To Try To Open the Strait of Hormuz

France held the first round of municipal elections on March 15, with the far-right National Rally retaining strongholds in Perpignan and Henin-Beaumont and advancing in southern cities such as Toulon, Nice and Marseille, Le Monde reported on March 16. 

France: First Round of Municipal Elections Highlights Far-Right Gains and Tests Runoff Alliances

Mozambique

Rwanda

Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said the Rwandan government was ready to withdraw its troops from Mozambique's northern Cabo Delgado province if its "efforts and achievements [in the region] are not appreciated," Reuters reported on March 14.

Mozambique: Rwanda Hints at Troop Withdrawal if Military Deployment 'Not Appreciated'

Polish President Karol Nawrocki vetoed legislation that would have allowed Poland to access roughly 44 billion euros ($50.5 billion) from the European Union's 150 billion euro Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defense loan program, TVP World reported on March 12.

Poland: President Nawrocki Vetoes SAFE Bill, Deepening Dispute With Government Over EU Defense Funding

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev met European Council President Antonio Costa in Baku to discuss energy cooperation, regional security and EU-Azerbaijan relations, according to a readout published on the Azerbaijani presidential website on March 11.

Azerbaijan, EU: Costa Visit Signals EU Bid To Bolster Azerbaijan Energy and Transit Role Amid Iran War Spillover

EU funding for the Rwandan deployment in northern Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, is set to expire in May, and discussions about a possible renewal have reportedly not yet been planned, Bloomberg reported on March 12.

Mozambique: EU To Decide on Renewal of Funding for Rwandan Deployment in Cabo Delgado

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

U.K., Netherlands, Finland: Countries Explore New Joint Defense Financing and Procurement Mechanism

Belgium, Russia: Belgian Prime Minister Calls for EU Normalization With Moscow, Renewed Energy Trade

MENA: Plans Emerge To Try To Open the Strait of Hormuz

France: First Round of Municipal Elections Highlights Far-Right Gains and Tests Runoff Alliances

Mozambique: Rwanda Hints at Troop Withdrawal if Military Deployment 'Not Appreciated'

Poland: President Nawrocki Vetoes SAFE Bill, Deepening Dispute With Government Over EU Defense Funding

Azerbaijan, EU: Costa Visit Signals EU Bid To Bolster Azerbaijan Energy and Transit Role Amid Iran War Spillover

Mozambique: EU To Decide on Renewal of Funding for Rwandan Deployment in Cabo Delgado

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