<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

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Assessments

Ecuador

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Vietnam

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the closing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, China, on March 11, 2025. 

Economics

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: Xi Tours Southeast Asia, Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Begin

U.S.-Iran Relations

Columns

On Geopolitics

NATO military forces during static display after the Steadfast Dart 2025 military exercises at the Smardan Training Area in Smardan, Romania, on Feb. 19, 2025. 

Environment, Science & Technology

Europe is increasingly focused on achieving greater strategic autonomy in defense, but internal divisions and material constraints will plague this quest, even as the United States' role on the Continent continues to shrink, meaning NATO will likely remain the cornerstone of Europe’s security architecture. 

The Future of Transatlantic Security Cooperation, Part 2: The View From Europe

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A list of countries facing reciprocal tariffs on display April 2 at the White House.

Global Trade

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: The Escalating Global Trade War, South Africa's Coalition Government on the Brink

U.S.-China Relations

Canada

Mexico

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on reciprocal tariffs as U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick holds a chart during an event in the Rose Garden entitled ''Make America Wealthy Again'' at the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 2025. 

Trump's sweeping new tariffs will slow both U.S. and global economic growth, with lower-income Americans and emerging markets like Vietnam being hit hardest.

The U.S. Launches the Largest Trade War in Modern History

Snapshots

U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order after delivering remarks on reciprocal tariffs during an April 2 event in the Rose Garden in Washington. The U.S.–EU trade dispute is on track to escalate as Brussels prepares retaliation against Washington's sweeping 20% tariff on EU goods, increasing the risk of a protracted tit-for-tat trade war that would disrupt supply chains, slow growth on both sides of the Atlantic and strain broader cooperation. 

The developments could see a protracted tit-for-tat trade war that disrupts supply chains, slows growth on both sides of the Atlantic and strains broader cooperation.

Brussels Prepares to Respond to the Latest Trump Tariffs

Somalia

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Palestinian Territories

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Philippe Lazzarini (C), the commissioner general for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, attends a humanitarian conference for Gaza in Cairo, Egypt, on Dec. 2, 2024, amid the continuing Israel-Hamas war.

Egypt's economic limitations will continue to restrain its assertiveness in foreign policy, constraining its ability to project power in the region.

Egypt's Economic Priorities Sideline Assertive Foreign Policy

Russia

Members of the Spanish and Bulgarian armed forces during the NATO exercise Steadfast Dart on Feb. 13, 2025, in Tsrancha, Bulgaria. 

Any U.S. retrenchment away from Europe will more likely be gradual, shaped by strategic realities, shared interests and material constraints, but this transition will still carry profound military, economic and societal implications that will deeply reshape the Continent's security landscape and accelerate the transition to a truly multipolar world.

The Future of Transatlantic Security Cooperation, Part 1: The View From Washington

French far-right Leader Marine Le Pen leaves the courtroom after a guilty verdict in her embezzlement case trial on March 31, 2025 in Paris, France. 

Marine Le Pen’s conviction for embezzling EU funds and an immediate five-year ban from public office has shaken French politics, threatening government stability and fueling far-right outrage ahead of the 2027 election.

Le Pen's Five-Year Political Ban Sets the Stage for Renewed Political Instability in France

Sub-Saharan Africa

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Asia-Pacific

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Cyber

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Israel-Hamas Conflict

Social Issues

Intensifying trade wars, a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, continued volatility in the Middle East and consequential elections in key countries will shape the quarter.

2025 Second-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Global Elections

South Korea

People wave flags and chant slogans during a protest in front of the municipality headquarters in support of arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey. 

The Weekly Rundown: U.S. To Announce Tariffs, Protests in Turkey Rage On

The European Union is considering restricting exports of certain strategic goods to the United States in retaliation for U.S. tariffs if U.S.-EU trade negotiations fail, Bloomberg reported on April 17.

EU: Brussels Considers Using Export Restrictions To Retaliate Against U.S. Tariffs

Estonia's parliament approved legislation expanding the Estonian Defense Forces' authority to use force against foreign civilian vessels that threaten submarine cables, and the new legislation also seeks to clarify the chain of command and accountability for such actions, Estonian public broadcaster ERR reported on April 17. 

Estonia: Navy Gains Authority To Attack Merchant Vessels Threatening Maritime Infrastructure

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou called for a break from France's long-standing overspending during a press conference but ruled out further tax hikes, adding that the government will outline key fiscal priorities for the 2026 budget before July 14 to accelerate the budget planning timeline, the Financial Times reported on April 15.

France: Bayrou Says More Cuts Needed To Meet Fiscal Deficit Targets, Rules Out Tax Hikes

U.S. Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about a potential trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom aimed at removing broad tariffs recently imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, The Guardian reported on April 15. 

U.K., U.S.: Vance Says U.S.-U.K. Trade Deal Is in Sight

Sudan

The Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, imposed a curfew in the Darfuri city of El Fasher after the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, seized the neighboring Zamzam refugee camp, Sudan Tribune reported on April 14.

Sudan: SAF Imposes Curfew in El Fasher as U.K. Hosts Peace Conference With Regional Players

Gabon

Gabonese junta leader Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema won the first round of the country's presidential election on April 12 with 90.35% of the vote, according to provisional results, Radio France Internationale reported on April 13.

Gabon: Junta Leader Nguema Elected President 

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc will provide Ukraine with roughly 5 billion euros ($5.7 billion) to help Kyiv acquire two-thirds of the two million artillery rounds it requested in March, Bloomberg reported on April 14.

Ukraine: EU To Help Ukraine Acquire Artillery, Germany Offers Taurus Missiles to Kyiv 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed to launch negotiations for an EU-UAE free trade agreement, with von der Leyen expressing EU willingness to conclude a deal within months, Reuters reported on April 10. 

EU, UAE: Leaders Launch Negotiations for Free Trade Agreement

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

EU: Brussels Considers Using Export Restrictions To Retaliate Against U.S. Tariffs

Estonia: Navy Gains Authority To Attack Merchant Vessels Threatening Maritime Infrastructure

France: Bayrou Says More Cuts Needed To Meet Fiscal Deficit Targets, Rules Out Tax Hikes

U.K., U.S.: Vance Says U.S.-U.K. Trade Deal Is in Sight

Sudan: SAF Imposes Curfew in El Fasher as U.K. Hosts Peace Conference With Regional Players

Gabon: Junta Leader Nguema Elected President

Ukraine: EU To Help Ukraine Acquire Artillery, Germany Offers Taurus Missiles to Kyiv

EU, UAE: Leaders Launch Negotiations for Free Trade Agreement

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