United Kingdom

Cyber

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

Apple stopped offering its Advanced Data Protection feature for new users in the United Kingdom following London's January order for Apple to build a backdoor enabling the government to access encrypted user data, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 21.

U.K.: Apple Stops Offering End-to-End iCloud Encryption Service in U.K.

Politics

The British government ordered U.S. tech giant Apple to create a backdoor allowing London to access all encrypted iCloud content from any Apple user worldwide, The Washington Post reported on Feb. 7, citing people familiar with the matter. 

U.K.: London Orders Apple To Create Backdoor To Give Access to Content Worldwide

Belgium

Economics

Energy

European Council President Antonio Costa announced that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer would host European Union leaders at a summit in the United Kingdom on May 19 to discuss plans to build closer U.K.-EU post-Brexit relations, Politico reported Feb. 4. 

U.K.: Starmer Moves to Reset U.K.-EU Ties with New Summit Amid Domestic Constraints

Ukraine

Russia

Military & Security

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, where the two leaders signed a "100 Year Partnership" agreement on military, technology and energy cooperation, Reuters reported on Jan. 16. 

Ukraine, U.K.: Starmer Meets With Zelensky, Underscores Support for Ukraine

Iraq

British Prime Minister Kier Starmer and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani inked a 12.3 billion pound, roughly $15 billion, trade and investment deal as the two countries seek to reset ties, a bilateral security deal and discussed the return of irregular migrants to Iraq, Reuters reported Jan. 14. 

U.K., Iraq: U.K. and Iraq Sign 12.3B Pound Trade Deal and a Security Pact to Improve Bilateral Relations

China

U.K. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng signed a series of bilateral agreements at the 2025 U.K.-China Economic and Financial Dialogue in Beijing on Jan. 11, as revealed in a press release by the U.K. government the same day. 

U.K., China: Chancellor Reeves Unveils Economic Agreements with China During Beijing Visit

United States

Israel

Yemen

The Israeli air force conducted airstrikes on the Hezyaz power plant near Sanaa and infrastructure at the ports of al-Hudaydah and Ras Isa in Houthi-controlled Yemen shortly after the United States and the United Kingdom reportedly conducted airstrikes on Houthi underground military infrastructure north of Sanaa, The Times of Israel reported on Jan. 10.

Yemen: Israel Strikes Houthi Targets Shortly After Reported U.S. Coalition Attacks

The British government's borrowing costs rose for a third consecutive day on Jan. 9, with the yield on 10-year and 30-year government bonds climbing to 4.9% and 5.40%, respectively, each to their highest since July 2008 and August 1998, The Guardian reported the same day. 

U.K.: British Assets Sell-Off Increases Pressure on Reeves To Restore Fiscal Discipline

Assessments

South Africa

South Korea

Germany

France

The Reichstag on Jan. 22 in Berlin. The center-right alliance between the Christian Democratic Union and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union, is widely expected to emerge as the largest bloc in the Bundestag after the Feb. 23 general election and lead the next coalition government.

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

The Weekly Rundown: German Elections, Macron and Starmer Meet Trump

Europe

The U.K. flag is flown near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to honor the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, on Sept. 9, 2022.

While the U.K. will likely avoid major U.S. tariffs, concessions to Trump could undermine London's push to ''reset'' ties with the EU and expand economic engagement with China.

Trump's Tariff Threats Will Complicate the U.K.'s Trade Balancing Act

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

Canada

Mexico

Trucks wait to enter United States on Nov. 26, 2024, at the Otay crossing port in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: Trump's Tariffs, Congo Braces for More Fighting in the East

Snapshots

The Bank of England is seen in London, the United Kingdom, on Sept. 19, 2024.

If market pressures persist, the Labour government may have to impose spending cuts or tax hikes that would derail its economic initiatives and make it all the more unpopular.

Market Instability Tests the U.K. Government's Fiscal Strategy

Mozambique

Security personnel walk on a road with buses blocking an entrance gate to protect impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol from a possible second arrest in Seoul on Jan. 6. If Yoon is not arrested, the opposition could again seek to impeach the country's acting president due to his insufficient support for the arrest efforts, worsening foreign perceptions of political instability in South Korea.

The Weekly Rundown: Mozambique's President Takes Office, the U.K. Chancellor Visits China

Portugal

Spain

People visit the 1627 Pilgrim Village at "Plimoth Plantation," where role-players portray pilgrims seven years after the arrival of the Mayflower, in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

On Thanksgiving, the United States celebrates the Plymouth Colony. However, few know that New England's colonization was a response to major geopolitical pressures -- particularly England's struggle against the Spanish both on the Continent and in the New World.

Thanksgiving and Puritan Geopolitics in the Americas

Debris lies in the courtyard of a damaged house following a missile attack at an undisclosed location in Ukraine's Odesa region on Nov. 17, 2024.

The U.S. decision to allow Ukraine to strike deeper into Russia with ATACMS missiles signals a policy shift but is unlikely to change the war's trajectory.

U.S. Greenlights Limited Ukrainian Strikes Inside Russia with Long-Range Missiles

Chile

Uruguay

Palestinian Territories

Japan

Georgia

Protesters hold Georgian flags during a pro-Europe rally in Tbilisi ahead of Georgia's parliamentary elections on Oct. 20, 2024. 

The Weekly Rundown: Key Elections in Georgia and Japan, Efforts to Resume Gaza Cease-Fire Talks

Italy

A Russian warship transits the Neva River in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Russia's risk tolerance for physical and cyber operations against Western targets appears to be increasing, raising the likelihood of more disruptive and/or violent attacks.

A More Brazen Russia Slowly Raises the Specter of a NATO Confrontation

Venezuela

Iran

Lebanon

Bangladesh

Nicolas Maduro on Aug. 7, 2024, in Caracas, Venezuela. The presidents of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Gustavo Petro and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, respectively, are considering a call with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Aug. 12 in a bid to promote negotiations with the opposition to cool the risk of further violent unrest.

Social Issues

The Weekly Rundown: Awaiting Iranian Retaliation, Bangladesh's New Government

Columns

On Geopolitics

Ireland

Labour leader and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (R) speaks with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar (L) on July 07, 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The July 4 general election laid bare evolving political dynamics in Scotland and Northern Ireland pushing the two nations' respective secessionist movements in different directions. 

The July 4 general election laid bare evolving political dynamics in Scotland and Northern Ireland pushing the two nations' respective secessionist movements in different directions.

The New British Government and Scottish and Northern Irish Separatism

Far-right activists gather in Sunderland, England, on Aug. 2, 2024, after misinformation spread via social media falsely attributed to a Muslim migrant to the recent murders of three girls in Southport.

The unrest following a fatal attack falsely blamed on a Muslim migrant underscores the growing threat of far-right extremism and disinformation in the U.K. and Europe more broadly, but the riots are unlikely to notably impact the new Labour government.

The New U.K. Government Faces Its First Test Amid Rash of Far-Right Riots

<p>The United Kingdom is located in Northwestern Europe and includes the island of Great Britain, surrounding islands and part of Ireland. The country is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the Irish Sea and the English Channel. The rugged coastline &mdash; around 12,500 kilometers long &mdash; and surrounding waters, covering important oil and gas reserves, offer the nation protection; particularly from rivals in continental Europe. The United Kingdom&#39;s main geographic challenge is the integration of the British Isles. The rugged topography of the islands fostered the development of strong regional identities. Competing regions like Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland make it difficult to maintain control from the core region in the fertile lowlands around London. When British governments overcome domestic divisions, they can turn their attention outward. Control over the surrounding seas was vital for dominance of the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean, and from there, the development of the British Empire. Substantial coal and iron deposits along with an intricate river and canal system were among the factors that drove the country to lead the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s. The dominance of the Royal Navy gave Britain control of the oceans and global trade. The United Kingdom&#39;s detachment from continental Europe offers protection since a united European empire could challenge the country&#39;s independence. Having a voice in the European Union and strong military and economic ties with the United States help London counter this potential threat.</p>

SITUATION REPORTS

U.K.: Apple Stops Offering End-to-End iCloud Encryption Service in U.K.

U.K.: London Orders Apple To Create Backdoor To Give Access to Content Worldwide

U.K.: Starmer Moves to Reset U.K.-EU Ties with New Summit Amid Domestic Constraints

Ukraine, U.K.: Starmer Meets With Zelensky, Underscores Support for Ukraine

U.K., Iraq: U.K. and Iraq Sign 12.3B Pound Trade Deal and a Security Pact to Improve Bilateral Relations

U.K., China: Chancellor Reeves Unveils Economic Agreements with China During Beijing Visit

Yemen: Israel Strikes Houthi Targets Shortly After Reported U.S. Coalition Attacks

U.K.: British Assets Sell-Off Increases Pressure on Reeves To Restore Fiscal Discipline

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