Australia

Afghanistan

Economics

Military & Security

Politics

Australia imposed financial sanctions and a travel ban on Afghanistan's minister of virtue and vice, minister of higher education, minister of justice and chief justice for alleged complicity in oppressing women and girls as well as minority groups in Afghanistan, among other offenses, according to a statement Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade released on Dec. 6. 

Australia, Afghanistan: Australia Sanctions Afghan Taliban Officials Over Alleged Human Rights Concerns

Brazil

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's eldest son, Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, announced on Dec. 5 that he would run for president in 2026, but two days later, he said he would be willing to back down from his presidential bid in exchange for his father's freedom, Folha de S.Paulo reported on Dec. 7.


Brazil: Flavio Bolsonaro's Presidential Bid Unlikely To Prosper, but Shows Divided Right

Europe

Environment, Science & Technology

The European Commission is delaying the release of or agreements on controversial plans regarding the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, emissions standards for vehicles and "Buy European" domestic content requirements over backlash from some European governments and departments within the European Commission, Reuters reported on Dec. 8. 

EU: Bloc Delays Plans To Set Domestic Content Requirements, Change 2035 Vehicle Emissions Rule

Kazakhstan

Russia

Energy

The Kazakh Senate approved amendments to the subsoil code that will cap foreign ownership in new uranium projects at 25% and condition license extensions on the transfer of enrichment technology, Kapital.kz reported on Dec. 4.

Kazakhstan: State Consolidation of Uranium Sector Targets Value Chain Expansion

European Council President Antonio Costa met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana to reinforce political commitment to the Trans-Caspian transport route and critical mineral supply chains, the European Council's press service reported on Dec. 4.

EU, Kazakhstan: EU Bets on New Trade Route Through Kazakhstan To Secure Critical Resources

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

United States

President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame signed the "Washington Accords," in which both sides reiterated their commitment to implementing their U.S.-brokered June peace deal, the U.S. State Department said in a press release on Dec. 4.

Congo, Rwanda: Tshisekedi Signs Peace Deal With Kagame, Strategic Partnership With U.S.

Tunisia

The Tunisian General Labor Union, or UGTT, called for a nationwide general strike on Jan. 21, citing the need for social dialogue, the right to collective bargaining and opposition to the public and private sector wage increases in the draft 2026 finance bill, all against the backdrop of President Kais Saied's ongoing crackdown on dissent, Reuters reported Dec. 5.

Tunisia: Powerful Labor Union Calls for General Strike Amid Rising Tensions With Government

South Korea

Judges from across South Korea assembled at the Supreme Court and voiced concerns about the constitutionality and controversiality of two bills that President Lee Jae Myung's Democratic Party passed through the National Assembly on Dec. 3, Yonhap News Agency reported on Dec. 5. 

South Korea: Lee's Judicial Reforms Risk Overreach, Renewed Unrest

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

Columns

On Geopolitics

China

Taiwan

Taiwanese President William Lai (center), flanked by other top officials in his government, discusses plans to propose a $40 billion supplemental defense budget during a news conference in Taipei on Nov. 26, 2025.

The 2025 Taiwan National Defense Report reflects Taipei's growing intent and tactical capabilities for deterrence by denial against a Chinese invasion, but it also highlights persistent challenges that contribute to a continually rising risk of conflict through 2028.

Taiwan Report Highlights Evolving Security Orientation

Assessments

Ukraine

Russia's President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by Kremlin economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, meets with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner at the Kremlin in Moscow on Dec. 2, 2025.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Fundamental disagreements between Ukraine and Russia over territorial concessions and security guarantees suggest that peace negotiations are unlikely to lead to a comprehensive breakthrough.

Despite U.S. Diplomatic Push, Ukraine Peace Still a Long Way Off

India

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin on Sept. 1, 2025.

Global Trade

While Putin's Dec. 4-5 visit may yield some progress in defense, energy and trade cooperation, India will likely maintain selective engagement with Russia as it navigates U.S. pressure and continues diversifying its arms suppliers.

What To Expect as Putin Visits India

Honduras

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their bilateral meeting during the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Putin-Modi Meeting, Honduras General Election

United Kingdom

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

While efforts by China and others to de-dollarize their international trade will fragment the international trade financing regime to some extent, they will do little to undermine the dollar's dominance.

The Geopolitics of Trade: De-dollarization and International Trade

U.S.-China Relations

Employees work at a garment factory in Tiruppur, in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu, on Sept. 23, 2025.

While the reforms will eventually create a more competitive, transparent and predictable labor market, the potential for uneven state-level adoption and protests will create challenges for companies in the near term. 

India's Labor Code Reforms: Opportunities and Implementation Challenges

Angola

South Africa

Japan

Banners bearing portraits of leaders of the G20 on Nov. 20 in Johannesburg. The South African government has focused the G20 summit's agenda on issues key to African countries.

The Weekly Rundown: A High-Stakes British Budget, South Africa Hosts the G20

Snapshots

View of a Honduran national flag at La Laguna neighborhood, in the north of Tegucigalpa, on Nov. 11, 2025. 

Honduras' next government will face legislative gridlock, political instability and unrest, regardless of the victor.

The Challenges Facing Honduras' Upcoming General Election

Global Elections

Syria

Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa delivers a speech in Damascus on July 3, 2025, during the unveiling of the "New Visual Identity of the Syrian Arab Republic." 

The transitional government's decision will boost reconstruction and counter-terrorism efforts, but it will also risk alienating internal hard-liners and could eventually fuel an Islamic State resurgence if Syria's economic recovery stalls.

The Implications of Syria Joining the U.S.-Led Fight Against the Islamic State

Italy

Italian Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on March 18 in the Italian Senate in Rome. Smaller fiscal deficits are unlikely to cut government debt in the medium term given Italy's modest economic growth outlook and significant social and defense spending pressures.

Smaller fiscal deficits are unlikely to cut government debt in the medium term given Italy's modest economic growth outlook and significant social and defense spending pressures.

Modest Growth and Spending Pressures Will Limit Italy's Debt Reduction Efforts

Canada

The clock tower outside of Canada's parliament building is seen in Ottawa, Ontario.

Canada's push to revive its economy and diversify its trade and security ties beyond the U.S. will likely see slow progress and could prompt U.S. retaliation, while the associated deficit spending will risk long-term fiscal strain.

The High Stakes of Canada's Attempt To Pivot Away From the U.S.

Economics

SITUATION REPORTS

Australia, Afghanistan: Australia Sanctions Afghan Taliban Officials Over Alleged Human Rights Concerns

Brazil: Flavio Bolsonaro's Presidential Bid Unlikely To Prosper, but Shows Divided Right

EU: Bloc Delays Plans To Set Domestic Content Requirements, Change 2035 Vehicle Emissions Rule

Kazakhstan: State Consolidation of Uranium Sector Targets Value Chain Expansion

EU, Kazakhstan: EU Bets on New Trade Route Through Kazakhstan To Secure Critical Resources

Congo, Rwanda: Tshisekedi Signs Peace Deal With Kagame, Strategic Partnership With U.S.

Tunisia: Powerful Labor Union Calls for General Strike Amid Rising Tensions With Government

South Korea: Lee's Judicial Reforms Risk Overreach, Renewed Unrest

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