Namibia

South Africa

Economics

Energy

South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment informed an oil major that appeals lodged against its Environmental Authorisation, a necessary approval to conduct oil exploration works, would be temporarily "held in abeyance," News24 reported on Oct. 17.

South Africa: Government Effectively Freezes Issuance of New Oil Permits Pending Supreme Court Ruling 

Brazil

United States

Politics

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Brazil's Foreign Affairs Minister Mauro Vieira met at the White House, g1 reported on Oct. 17.

U.S., Brazil: High-Level Bilateral Meeting Paves the Way for Trade Talks To Start

China

Europe

Environment, Science & Technology

European chip maker Nexperia notified European automobile manufacturers and their suppliers on Oct. 10 that it could not guarantee delivery of the chips they need for their automotive supply chains, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, or ACEA, revealed in an Oct. 16 statement.

Europe, U.S.: Nexperia Tells Automakers It Cannot Guarantee Supply of Chips

Russia

India

On Oct. 16, U.S. President Donald Trump said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that India would halt oil purchases from Russia, The Economic Times reported on Oct. 17.

India: Trump Claims Modi Assured Him India Would Stop Purchasing Russian Oil

Madagascar

Military & Security

The African Union announced the suspension of Madagascar's membership from the continental bloc in response to the Malagasy military's Oct. 14 coup, warned of sanctions against the country's new military rulers and called for a civilian-led transitional government that organizes new elections as soon as possible, Radio France Internationale reported on Oct. 16.

Madagascar: African Union Suspends Madagascar Over Military Coup

Japan

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump expects Japan to stop importing Russian energy, according to an Oct. 15 X post from Bessent.

Japan, U.S.: Request for Russian Energy Curbs Risks Ties With New Government

France

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two consecutive no-confidence votes in the National Assembly thanks to the abstentions of center-left and center-right lawmakers, Reuters reported on Oct. 16.

France: Prime Minister Lecornu Survives No-Confidence Votes, Sacrificing Macron's Pensions Reform

Pakistan

The International Monetary Fund announced that it reached a staff-level agreement with Pakistan, paving the way for the release of $1.2 billion upon executive board approval, Bloomberg reported on Oct. 15. 

Pakistan: IMF and Pakistan Reach Staff-Level Agreement on $1.2B Disbursement

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

Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, and other senior government members and deputies attend the second plenary session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People on March 8, 2025, in Beijing, China.

Global Trade

The key political meeting will fill vacant Party seats and update economic and security goals, offering insights into China's policy priorities and the trajectory of Xi's political purges for the next five years. 

What To Watch for During China's Fourth Plenum

Snapshots

Canada

A digital illustration of the Indian and Canadian flags.

India and Canada's efforts to improve relations could see them resume trade talks after a two-year hiatus. But lingering mistrust, particularly over Sikh separatist activity in Canada, may hinder deeper progress.

India and Canada's Diplomatic Reset: Opportunities and Challenges

Bolivia

Supporters of Bolivia's presidential candidate for the Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Rodrigo Paz, listen to him speak during a campaign rally in El Alto, Bolivia, on Sept. 30, 2025. 

With two right-wing candidates facing off in the Oct. 19 runoff, Bolivia is set for a significant policy shift toward austerity at home and a pro-Western foreign policy.

Bolivia Set for Swing to Right in Presidential Runoff Vote

Global Elections

Ukraine

Russian flag on a cracked wall, illustrating an economic decline with a downward arrow. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Despite high consumer confidence, underlying economic indicators show a significant contraction in non-defense industrial production, slowing consumption and falling investment, signaling that the Kremlin's war economy is steadily deteriorating.

Russia's War Economy Is Faltering

Media

Podcasts

Israel-Hamas Conflict

What should companies be on the lookout for through the end of 2025 and beyond?

Essential Geopolitics: Trends From RANE's 2025 Fourth-Quarter Forecast

Despite the proliferation of digital assets, privately issued cryptocurrencies are unlikely to replace central bank-issued money in stable economies because they fail to sufficiently fulfill the core functions of money.

Privately Issued Cryptocurrencies Will Not Replace Fiat Currency

Morocco

Demonstrators lift banners during a youth-led protest demanding reforms to public healthcare and education in Casablanca, Morocco, on Oct. 6, 2025.

The government will likely make some, mostly symbolic, concessions to the youth-led protest movement, which already appears to be weakening, but ongoing grievances related to economic inequality will sustain the risk of future mass protests.

Moroccans' Socioeconomic Grievances Will Persist, Even if Current Gen Z Protests Abate

Columns

On Geopolitics

Bangladesh

Nepal

Sri Lanka

Protesters gather at the Singha Durbar, the main administrative building for the Nepal government, in Kathmandu on Sept. 9, 2025. 

Widespread discontent with corruption and economic mismanagement is fueling movements that demand greater accountability across South Asia.

Political Instability Roils South Asia

South Korea

Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected LDP leader, on Oct. 4 in Tokyo.

Takaichi will lean into populism, spurring near-term growth but exacerbating long-term economic challenges, while her nationalism will bolster Japan's military and boost U.S. ties even as it strains those with Japan's neighbors.

Japan's Conservative Takaichi Set To Become Next Prime Minister

Outgoing French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu arrives to deliver a statement at the Hotel Matignon in Paris after submitting his resignation to French President Emmanuel Macron on Oct. 6, 2025. 

Lecornu's resignation leaves President Macron with few good options to ease the ongoing political gridlock over the budget, portending further market volatility, social unrest and, potentially, a fiscal crisis.

French Political Crisis Deepens as Another Prime Minister Resigns

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

The Geopolitics of Trade

Persistent conflict and armed group control in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will sustain significant legal, financial and reputational pressures on companies sourcing critical minerals from the region for the foreseeable future.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Due Diligence and Congo's Critical Minerals

The candidates running in the leadership election of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party -- (from left to right) Takayuki Kobayashi, Toshimitsu Motegi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Sanae Takaichi and Shinjiro Koizumi -- pose after delivering speeches at the kick-off of the campaign in Tokyo on Sept. 22, 2025. 

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Oct. 4 vote for party president and therefore prime minister will influence the trajectory of Japan's fiscal policy and foreign relations.

Japan's LDP Leadership Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Economics

SITUATION REPORTS

South Africa: Government Effectively Freezes Issuance of New Oil Permits Pending Supreme Court Ruling

U.S., Brazil: High-Level Bilateral Meeting Paves the Way for Trade Talks To Start

Europe, U.S.: Nexperia Tells Automakers It Cannot Guarantee Supply of Chips

India: Trump Claims Modi Assured Him India Would Stop Purchasing Russian Oil

Madagascar: African Union Suspends Madagascar Over Military Coup

Japan, U.S.: Request for Russian Energy Curbs Risks Ties With New Government

France: Prime Minister Lecornu Survives No-Confidence Votes, Sacrificing Macron's Pensions Reform

Pakistan: IMF and Pakistan Reach Staff-Level Agreement on $1.2B Disbursement

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

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