Kenya

Seychelles

South Africa

China

Economics

Politics

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng is conducting an Africa tour through Kenya, South Africa and the Seychelles during which he will meet his local counterparts through March 30, Radio France Internationale reported on March 23.

Africa: Chinese Vice President Tours Kenya, South Africa, Seychelles

Mozambique

Zimbabwe

Iran

Military & Security

South African farmers may not press ahead with their winter planting season if crop prices do not rise enough to offset their expected increase in fuel and fertilizer costs linked to the Iran war, Bloomberg reported on March 24. 

South Africa: Farmers Eye Production Cuts Amid Price Hikes for Fuel, Fertilizer

United States

Afghanistan

Pakistan

The Afghan Taliban released Dennis Coyle, a U.S. academic the group had detained since January 2025 for unspecified reasons, The New York Times reported on March 24. 

Afghanistan, U.S.: Afghan Taliban Releases Detained U.S. National Amid U.S. Pressure

Australia

Europe

The European Union and Australia agreed on the final test of a long-delayed free trade agreement, eliminating tariffs on most goods and expanding Australian agricultural access to European markets and European industrial and manufactured goods access to Australia, alongside provisions to facilitate critical minerals trade, AP reported on March 24.

Australia, EU: Strategic Alignment Deepens With Trade Pact and Defense Deal

Chile

Energy

Chile's government announced it will hike gasoline prices by 41% and diesel prices by 54% effective March 26, La Tercera reported on March 24.

Chile: Fuel Price Increase To Raise Inflation and Drive Unrest

Palestinian Territories

Indonesia

Indonesia rejected a $1 billion fee to secure a permanent seat on the U.S.-led Board of Peace while reiterating its willingness to contribute troops to a peacekeeping mission in Gaza, AFP reported on March 23.

Indonesia, U.S.: Jakarta Reject $1B Board of Peace Fee, Leaves Open Trade Deal Withdrawal

Myanmar

Myanmar authorities expanded fuel rationing beyond odd-even day rationing by introducing a centralized QR and barcode system that caps volumes by vehicle type, restricts purchase frequency and tightens nationwide distribution controls, Bloomberg reported on March 23.

Myanmar: Fuel Rationing Signals Logistics Strain on War Effort

United Kingdom

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to consider "every available" measure to cushion the United Kingdom from the impact of the Middle East conflict ahead of an emergency Cabinet meeting he convened for March 23 to address the economic consequences of the escalating war in Iran and energy market disruptions stemming from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported the same day.

U.K.: Starmer Calls Emergency Meeting Amid Economic and Energy Disruptions Linked to Iran Conflict

The world is connected, but even the broadest topics deserve an individual look. Below are our latest and most relevant economics analyses.

Below are our latest and most relevant economics analyses.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

Beyond Quantitative Easing

The New Silk Road

The Fate of the Eurozone

South America: Split Decisions on Trade

Banking

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

Social Issues

European Disintegration

Russia's Internal Struggle

China in Transition

A Japanese Awakening

East African Integration

Assessments

Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting in Moscow on the global oil and gas market situation on March 9, 2026.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The current surge in demand for Russian oil will likely be short-lived, but weaker sanctions enforcement and higher energy prices could nonetheless buoy Moscow's capacity to fund its war in Ukraine.

In Twist of Fate, Russia Gets a Boost From Iran-Related Oil Shocks

Bahrain

Israel

Kuwait

Oman

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

People walk along the corniche area on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026.

Global Trade

Disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will compel Gulf Cooperation Council states to invest in alternative trade routes and more resilient physical infrastructure.

Gulf Arab States, Shaken by Iran War, Plan Economic Pivot

U.S.-Iran Relations

Greenland

Denmark

Danish Defense Minister and top candidate of Denmark's Venstre party, Troels Lund Poulsen (left), and Danish Prime Minister and top candidate of the Social Democrat Party, Mette Frederiksen (right), attend a debate in Copenhagen on March 15, 2026.

Environment, Science & Technology

The upcoming parliamentary elections could result in three distinct coalitions that would offer varying continuity in domestic economic policy and Copenhagen's approach to U.S. pressure over Greenland.

Denmark's General Elections: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

A farmer sprinkles fertilizer over a crop of cauliflower on the outskirts of Bangalore, India, in November 2020.

The Strait of Hormuz blockade is straining global supplies of nitrogen- and phosphorus-based fertilizers, which could lead to lower crop yields, higher food prices and fiscal strain for agricultural producers if the disruptions persist.

Assessing the Iran War's Impact on Global Fertilizer Supplies

Japan

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addresses a news conference at the Prime Minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 18.

The Japanese prime minister may offer economic and security concessions during her upcoming summit with the U.S. president to avoid direct entanglement in the Iran conflict while preserving the relationship with Washington.

Iran War Heightens Stakes of Key Takaichi-Trump Summit

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

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

The Geopolitics of Demographics

Demographics may not be destiny, but it does play a major role in questions of national power.

The Geopolitics of Demographics: An Introduction

Ukraine

A large plume of smoke rises March 7 over Tehran after explosions were reported in the Iranian capital during the night.

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

The Weekly Rundown: The Iran War Continues, Takaichi Meets With Trump

Media

Podcasts

What will happen to U.S. interest rates if the war continues?

The Decision Advantage: Economic Impacts of the War on Iran

A digital illustration of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s national flags.

Despite having a mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan will likely only provide the kingdom with low-level defensive and technical support, rather than direct military intervention against Iran, due to various constraints.

In a War With Iran, the Pakistani-Saudi Defense Pact Has Limits 

People attend the funeral of a person killed during an Iranian drone attack on a high-rise apartment building in Bahrain's capital, Manama, on March 10, 2026.

A sharp rise in domestic sectarian issues and disruptions to key exports through the Strait of Hormuz are converging to threaten the political and economic stability of the kingdom.

Iran War Exposes Bahrain to Fiscal Risks, Sectarian Tensions

Canada

India

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney walks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra, Australia, on March 5, 2026. 

Canada's push to deepen economic and security ties with India, Australia and Japan faces constraints and may inadvertently strengthen the U.S.-led regional structure Ottawa is trying to hedge against.

The Promise and Limitations of Canada's Push to Diversify Strategic Partnerships

Economics

SITUATION REPORTS

Africa: Chinese Vice President Tours Kenya, South Africa, Seychelles

South Africa: Farmers Eye Production Cuts Amid Price Hikes for Fuel, Fertilizer

Afghanistan, U.S.: Afghan Taliban Releases Detained U.S. National Amid U.S. Pressure

Australia, EU: Strategic Alignment Deepens With Trade Pact and Defense Deal

Chile: Fuel Price Increase To Raise Inflation and Drive Unrest

Indonesia, U.S.: Jakarta Reject $1B Board of Peace Fee, Leaves Open Trade Deal Withdrawal

Myanmar: Fuel Rationing Signals Logistics Strain on War Effort

U.K.: Starmer Calls Emergency Meeting Amid Economic and Energy Disruptions Linked to Iran Conflict

Forecasts

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