Australia

Brunei Darussalam

Malaysia

Energy

Politics

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Brunei and Malaysia to secure refined fuel support and received assurances from both governments that they will prioritize excess fuel exports to Australia and keep essential energy trade flowing, Nikkei Asia reported on April 16. 

Australia, Malaysia, Brunei: Canberra Turns to Southeast Asia as Refinery Fire Deepens Fuel Risks

United States

Iran

Economics

Military & Security

U.S.-Iran talks are progressing, including a potential Iranian offer to partially normalize shipping through the Strait of Hormuz by allowing ships to pass through Omani, rather than international, waters without fear of attack or toll, Reuters reported on April 15. 

U.S., Iran: Breakthrough on Strait of Hormuz Is Possible, but Comprehensive Deal Remains Distant

U.S.-Iran Relations

Indonesia

France

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, where the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in defense procurement, defense industrial cooperation and energy transition work, AFP reported on April 15.

Indonesia, France: Paris Visit Advances Defense Buildout as Jakarta Broadens Strategic Options

Colombia

Ecuador

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro announced on April 13 that he will not impose the 100% retaliatory tariff on Ecuadorian goods that his trade minister announced on April 10, Reuters reported on April 13.

Colombia, Ecuador: Petro Backtracks on 100% Tariffs on Ecuador, Issues Accusations

Russia

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where the two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in energy, downstream industry and other economic sectors, while officials said they were working on possible long-term oil supply contracts, Nikkei Asia reported on April 14. 

Indonesia, Russia, U.S.: Energy and Defense Ties Deepen, but Jakarta Maintains Its Nonalignment

Botswana

South Africa

Oman

Germany

Environment, Science & Technology

Germany agreed to forward a 200 million euro ($234 million) concessional loan to South Africa to support investments in the country's power grid and renewable energies, as well as expand bilateral cooperation on mineral beneficiation in the country, Reuters reported on April 13.

Southern Africa: Germany, Oman Expand Critical Mineral, Energy Cooperation With South Africa, Botswana

China

Kazakhstan

Kazak Energy Minister Erlan Akkenzhenov said on April 13 that the government had designated state-owned company QazaqGaz as the single operator of the Karachaganak gas processing plant and that the project was advancing toward a preconstruction planning phase, following the earlier signing of a basic cooperation agreement with China's CITIC Construction.

Kazakhstan, China: Astana Pushes New Karachaganak Track, With China in Tow

Singapore

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong agreed to accelerate a legally binding protocol under the two countries' free trade agreement, with Australia reaffirming liquefied natural gas supplies to Singapore and Singapore pledging continued refined fuel exports to Australia, according to a joint statement released by the two leaders on April 10.

Australia, Singapore: Countries To Undertake Treaty-Backed Energy Crisis Coordination

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

Below are our latest and most relevant energy analyses.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

The Libyan Civil War

The Fight Against the Islamic State

The Politics of Pipelines

_Energy

Nigeria: Obstacles to Prosperity

The Battle for Mosul

A Crude Recovery

Broken Contracts in the Middle East

Russia's Internal Struggle

East African Integration

Snapshots

Egypt

The exterior facade of the new headquarters of Egypt's central bank is seen at the New Administrative Capital megaproject about 45 kilometers east of the current capital, Cairo, on Aug. 1, 2023. 

Egypt will try to avoid submitting to another IMF loan program, which would likely require unpopular austerity and privatization measures. But the escalating economic impact of the Iran war may eventually force its hand.

Iran War Fallout Could Force Egypt to Seek Another Unpopular IMF Bailout

Assessments

Cuba

Lebanon

Bulgaria

Romania

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine speaks as he displays a map showing the U.S. Navy's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz during a press briefing at the Pentagon on April 16, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia. 

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

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Iran Diplomacy, Political Instability in the Balkans

Satellite imagery shows a broad view of the Strait of Hormuz between southern Iran and Oman's Musandam Peninsula on April 7, 2026.

Pledges to reopen the strait will support U.S.-Iran diplomatic momentum and reduce near-term escalation risks, but shipping activity will recover only gradually amid persistent tensions, with a continued risk of disruption until a durable agreement is reached.

The Operational vs. Diplomatic Impact of the Strait of Hormuz's Nominal Re-Opening

Israel

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Maldives

India

Nepal

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

A passenger boat sails past the Indian-flagged oil tanker Kashimasan, which is docked near an offloading terminal at Butcher Island (also known as Jawahar Dweep) off the coast of Mumbai, India, on April 1, 2026.

Energy and fertilizer price shocks from the Iran war will increasingly threaten energy supplies, crop yields and economic growth across the region, pressuring governments' foreign exchange reserves and heightening unrest risks.

In South Asia, Iran War Fallout Risks Worsening Economic and Political Instability

IMF officials participate in an economic outlook briefing in Washington, D.C., on April 14, 2026.

The sharp increase in global oil and fertilizer costs will force import-reliant, low-income nations in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa to choose between fiscal discipline and maintaining social stability.

Iran War Price Shocks Will Hit Low-Income Energy Importers Hardest

Nigeria

The Dangote petroleum refinery plant is seen in Lagos, Nigeria, on April 6, 2026.

Nigeria will enjoy a short-term revenue boost from elevated oil prices, but the potential for renewed instability in the Niger Delta could undermine efforts to increase oil production.

Nigeria's Oil Gains From Iran War Face Old Challenges

Philippines

Vietnam

A Chinese navy ship (background left) is seen while an Australian navy ship (right) takes part in a maritime cooperative activity with the Philippines and Canada in the disputed waters of the South China Sea on Sept. 3, 2025.

China, the Philippines and Vietnam's efforts to rebalance coercive activity with diplomatic engagement have temporarily lowered escalation risks, but persistent rivalries ensure long-term volatility.

In the South China Sea, Managed Tension Masks Long-Term Volatility

Columns

On Geopolitics

The Geopolitics of Natural Resources

Weaponizing raw material exports can provide short-term political leverage, but it often pushes the targeted nations to permanently restructure their trade relationships to reduce dependencies.

The Historical Lessons of Global Commodity Weaponization

Yemen

U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks as special envoys Jared Kushner (L) and Steve Witkoff listen during a news conference after a meeting with representatives from Pakistan and Iran on April 12, 2026, in Islamabad, Pakistan. 

The U.S. blockade may not immediately collapse the ceasefire with Iran, but it will further disrupt maritime shipping and the global economy.

After U.S.-Iran Talks Fail, Washington Moves To Blockade the Strait of Hormuz

A satellite view of the Persian Gulf, with the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint seen on the right.

Global Trade

Fears that U.S.-Iran talks will collapse, along with Iran's ongoing efforts to formalize its authority over the strait by imposing transit fees and limiting traffic, will likely keep shippers cautious.

Strait of Hormuz Shipping Likely To Remain Disrupted, Despite Ceasefire

Media

Mexico

Venezuela

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Taiwan

Forecast Webcast

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2026 Second-Quarter Geopolitical Forecast.

2026 Second-Quarter Forecast Webcast

Iraq

Iraqi women light candles in memory of the victims of the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran and Lebanon during a rally in Baghdad's Tahrir Square on April 2, 2026.

Violent spillover from the Iran war will further complicate Iraq's government formation process, while disrupted oil exports will heavily strain Baghdad's finances and raise the risk of unrest.

Iraq Is Caught in the Crossfire of Another Destabilizing War

Energy

SITUATION REPORTS

Australia, Malaysia, Brunei: Canberra Turns to Southeast Asia as Refinery Fire Deepens Fuel Risks

U.S., Iran: Breakthrough on Strait of Hormuz Is Possible, but Comprehensive Deal Remains Distant

Indonesia, France: Paris Visit Advances Defense Buildout as Jakarta Broadens Strategic Options

Colombia, Ecuador: Petro Backtracks on 100% Tariffs on Ecuador, Issues Accusations

Indonesia, Russia, U.S.: Energy and Defense Ties Deepen, but Jakarta Maintains Its Nonalignment

Southern Africa: Germany, Oman Expand Critical Mineral, Energy Cooperation With South Africa, Botswana

Kazakhstan, China: Astana Pushes New Karachaganak Track, With China in Tow

Australia, Singapore: Countries To Undertake Treaty-Backed Energy Crisis Coordination

Forecasts

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