<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

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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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Military & Security

Politics

Why is the Baltic such a critical and complex region?

Essential Geopolitics: Remilitarization in the Baltic

Assessments

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

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Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

South Asia

The Geopolitics of Trade

Economics

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Environment, Science & Technology

Global Trade

Geopolitical, security and environmental risks threaten to disrupt trade through crucial waterways, including the Bab el-Mandeb strait, the Suez Canal, the Danish and Turkish straits, and the Panama Canal.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Threats to Maritime Chokepoints Endanger Global Trade, Part 2

Diverse security risks threaten maritime chokepoints around the world, presenting unique challenges to international trade.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Threats to Maritime Chokepoints Endanger Global Trade, Part 1

The building housing Norway's parliament is seen on May 17, 2025, in Oslo.

The Sept. 8 vote could result in another left-wing coalition focused on welfare and climate, a right-wing coalition focused on tax cuts and oil production, or perhaps even an unprecedented grand coalition between the country's two largest parties.

Norway's Legislative Elections: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou speaks during a press conference in Paris on Aug. 25, 2025. 

In the likely case that the Prime Minister Bayrou loses the Sept. 8 vote, Macron will either have to appoint another weak government or call early legislative elections, prolonging political instability and heightening financial risks.

New Political Crisis Grips France as Bayrou Gambles on Confidence Vote

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez addresses lawmakers during a plenary session at the Spanish parliament in Madrid on July 9, 2025. 

The prime minister's Socialist-led government will likely survive in the short term, but ongoing policy paralysis, corruption scandals and public discontent could trigger early elections, potentially bringing the far right to power.

Sanchez's Mounting Political Challenges Spell Trouble for Spain

United States

Iran

South Korea

Taiwan

Thailand

The Maanshan nuclear power plant is seen next to a beach in Pingtung, in southern Taiwan, on April 29, 2025.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Iran Meets With European Powers, Taiwan Holds a Nuclear Referendum

Ukraine

Trump and Zelensky at the White House West Wing in Washington, DC, on August 18, 2025.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Even as President Trump floats the possibility of a trilateral summit with Putin and Zelensky, a breakthrough in negotiations is unlikely given the Kremlin's noncommittal response to the Aug. 18 White House talks. 

Despite Flurry of U.S. Diplomacy, a Ukraine Peace Deal Will Remain Elusive

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

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Paraguay

Uruguay

Venezuela

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Mercosur is increasingly opening its markets in pursuit of free trade agreements with partners around the world, particularly as U.S. protectionism shifts global trade dynamics.

The Geopolitics of Trade: What Changing Trade Dynamics Mean for Mercosur

Supporters of Bosnian Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik watch him speak in Banja Luka, Republika Srpska, on Feb. 26, 2025. 

Republika Srpska's separatist leader will likely defy a ruling to step down, causing institutional paralysis and Western backlash, but early elections or a unilateral declaration of independence are also possible.

The Potential Outcomes of Bosnia's Emerging Political Crisis

Cyber

The European Union's second-highest court rejected a court challenge on Sept. 3 and, in turn, upheld a data transfer agreement between the bloc and the United States, Reuters reported the same day.

U.S., EU: EU Court Rejects Court Challenge, Upholds Data Transfer Pact With U.S.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is in London for his first bilateral meeting with his British counterpart Keir Starmer, The Guardian reported on Sept. 3.

U.K., Spain: Sanchez and Starmer to Sign Strategic Agreement in London

The European Commission formally submitted the European Union-Mercosur free trade agreement for approval by member states, including safeguard measures aimed at easing opposition from critics such as France and Poland, Reuters reported on Sept. 3.

EU, Mercosur: EU Submits Mercosur Trade Deal for Approval

Senegal

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to "strengthen" and "renew" relations between France and Senegal following a bilateral meeting in Paris, Radio France Internationale reported on Aug. 28. 

Senegal: Faye Indicates Plans To Strengthen Relationship With France Following Meeting With Macron

The German Cabinet approved a draft bill aimed at boosting voluntary military recruitment, and its first parliamentary reading will occur in early October, Politico reported on Aug. 28.

Germany: Berlin To Propose Voluntary Military Service Scheme Amid Internal Calls for Conscription

Israel

The United Kingdom, France and Germany -- collectively known as the E3 --== launched the process to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran that were removed as part of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action deal using the snapback sanctions mechanism, Reuters reported Aug. 28. 

Iran: Germany, France, U.K. Launch Snapback Sanction Mechanism on Iran

U.S.-Iran Relations

Moldova

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited Chisinau, Moldova, pledging to support President Maia Sandu and Moldova's EU path, Reuters reported on Aug. 27.

Moldova: European Leaders Back Sandu in Preelection Visit, Warn Against Kremlin Meddling

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof's government will face a no-confidence motion on Aug. 27 submitted a day earlier by the pro-minority rights DENK party leader Stephan van Baarle over what the party views as the government’s overly soft stance on Israel, Bloomberg reported the same day.  

Netherlands: Minority Caretaker Government Faces No-Confidence Vote

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., EU: EU Court Rejects Court Challenge, Upholds Data Transfer Pact With U.S.

U.K., Spain: Sanchez and Starmer to Sign Strategic Agreement in London

EU, Mercosur: EU Submits Mercosur Trade Deal for Approval

Senegal: Faye Indicates Plans To Strengthen Relationship With France Following Meeting With Macron

Germany: Berlin To Propose Voluntary Military Service Scheme Amid Internal Calls for Conscription

Iran: Germany, France, U.K. Launch Snapback Sanction Mechanism on Iran

Moldova: European Leaders Back Sandu in Preelection Visit, Warn Against Kremlin Meddling

Netherlands: Minority Caretaker Government Faces No-Confidence Vote

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