United Kingdom

Politics

British right-wing opposition party Reform UK won its fifth parliamentary seat in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election -- narrowly defeating the Labour Party of Prime Minister Keir Starmer by six votes, the BBC reported on May 2.

U.K.: Right-Wing Party's Electoral Gains Pressure Labour and Conservatives

United States

Yemen

Military & Security

The United Kingdom conducted airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in coordination with the United States for the first time since the Labour Party took control of the U.K. government in July, BBC reported April 30.

U.K., Yemen: U.K. Conducts First Airstrike on Houthis Under New Government

Europe

Ukraine

Russia

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The United Kingdom is considering dropping plans to deploy thousands of troops to Ukraine as part of a pan-European mission to provide Kyiv with post-conflict security guarantees, citing excessive risks and inadequate forces, The Times reported on April 25, citing British diplomatic and military sources.

Europe, Ukraine, Russia: London Weighs Watering Down Ukraine Reassurance Force Plans

Germany

France

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that European countries have communicated to the United States their key non-negotiable positions regarding any prospective peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, ahead of renewed talks scheduled for April 23 in London, Reuters reported April 22. 

Europe, Ukraine, U.S.: Europe Sets Red Lines on Ukraine Peace Deal

Economics

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

United Arab Emirates

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

Trinidad and Tobago

Venezuela

Energy

The United States revoked two licenses for British oil companies Shell and BP to operate offshore natural gas projects with Trinidad's state-owned Natural Gas Co. in Venezuela, LatinNews reported on April 10.

U.S.: Washington Revokes Oil Licenses for Joint Trinidad and Tobago-U.K. Projects in Venezuela

During a speech at a car manufacturing plant in Birmingham on April 7, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged swift government support to key British industries facing disruption from U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs, including the car manufacturing and life sciences sectors, The Guardian reported the same day.

U.K.: Starmer Announces Support Measures for Sectors Affected by U.S. Tariffs

Snapshots

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (2 L) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C) attend a meeting with European and Ukrainian officials on April 17 at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris.

Ukraine will be forced to choose between compromising on its supposed red lines to de-escalate its war with Russia, or risk losing U.S. support and its battlefield position. 

Growing U.S. Pressure for a Peace Deal Puts Ukraine in a Difficult Position

Assessments

Iran

Workers at a quarry Feb. 26, 2025 in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine.

Cyber

U.S.-Iran Relations

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

The Weekly Rundown: Von der Leyen Meets Starmer, a U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal

Columns

On Geopolitics

Poland

Spain

Italy

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

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

South Africa

Israel

China

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

Global Trade

U.S.-China Relations

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

Canada

Mexico

Vietnam

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

Turkey

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

New Zealand

India

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) walks with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (R) before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on March 17, 2025. 

U.S. tariff threats are pushing India to revamp negotiations over free trade agreements, but protectionist trade policies and other obstacles will challenge the progression of talks.

India Dusts Off Old FTA Negotiations Ahead of U.S. Tariffs

Brazil

Lebanon

Japan

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a joint press conference Feb. 16 at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem. Senior Israeli officials from the security and intelligence ministries will visit the United States to discuss Iran's nuclear program and Israeli border demarcation talks with Lebanon.

The Weekly Rundown: The U.S. and Israel Coordinate on Iran, the U.K. Chancellor Seeks Fiscal Discipline

Ukrainian flags are flown alongside EU flags outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 24, 2025, for the third anniversary of Russia'’s large-scale invasion.

Amid the prospect of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, European leaders are mulling putting boots on the ground in Ukraine to help deter Russian aggression, which could take several forms, each varying in effectiveness and feasibility.

Weighing the Options for a European Deployment in Ukraine

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.

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

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

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

<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.: Right-Wing Party's Electoral Gains Pressure Labour and Conservatives

U.K., Yemen: U.K. Conducts First Airstrike on Houthis Under New Government

Europe, Ukraine, Russia: London Weighs Watering Down Ukraine Reassurance Force Plans

Europe, Ukraine, U.S.: Europe Sets Red Lines on Ukraine Peace Deal

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

U.S.: Washington Revokes Oil Licenses for Joint Trinidad and Tobago-U.K. Projects in Venezuela

U.K.: Starmer Announces Support Measures for Sectors Affected by U.S. Tariffs

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