United States

Iran

Energy

Military & Security

U.S. President Donald Trump told aides to prepare for a protracted blockade of Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported April 28, citing U.S. officials.

U.S., Iran: Trump Tells Aides to Prepare for a Prolonged Blockade of Iran

U.S.-Iran Relations

Republic of the Congo

Russia

Economics

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russian companies were ready to work in the Republic of the Congo and highlighted cooperation in geological exploration, logistics, energy and agriculture during talks in Moscow with the country's president, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Izvestia reported April 29.

Russia, Africa: Putin Hosts Talks With Republic of Congo President in Moscow

Barbados

Colombia

Venezuela

Politics

Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez arrived in Barbados for her second official trip in office, El Pais reported on April 26.

Latin America: Rodriguez Visits Barbados After Meeting With Colombia's Petro

China

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned China's Hengli Petrochemical's Dalian refinery, accusing it of buying billions of dollars' worth of Iranian oil and thereby helping fund Iran's military, and roughly 40 shipping companies and vessels, according to an April 24 Treasury press release.

China, U.S.: Washington Hits Major Chinese Refiner Over Iranian Oil

U.S.-China Relations

Malaysia

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is considering dissolving parliament for a general election, well ahead of the early-2028 deadline, to seek a fresh mandate before potential fuel subsidy reductions force higher prices on consumers, Bloomberg reported on April 24.

Malaysia: Anwar Weighs Early Polls Before Fuel Subsidy Pain Hits

Saudi Arabia

Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Jeddah for his second visit to Saudi Arabia in a month, where he is expected to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and advance agreements on security, energy and infrastructure cooperation, Interfax-Ukraine reported on April 24.

Ukraine, Saudi Arabia: Zelensky Visits Jeddah To Expand Security Cooperation

Australia

Brunei Darussalam

Japan

Singapore

South Korea

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has signaled growing opposition to a windfall tax on gas exports that had been expected to be proposed for the May 12 federal budget, making its inclusion unlikely in the upcoming legislative session, the Australian Financial Review reported on April 23.

Australia: Fuel Diplomacy Shelves Canberra's Gas Tax Push

Angola

Angola's Minister of State for Economic Coordination Jose de Lima Massano said the Angolan government was foreseeing a windfall of around 3.2 trillion kwanza ($3.5 billion, or around 2.4% of GDP) in 2026 assuming an average price of $80 per barrel of oil by the end of 2026, Ver Angola reported on April 22.

Angola: Government Foresees $3.5B Windfall in 2026 From Higher Oil Prices

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

Assessments

Kazakhstan

An aerial view shows the Kazakh village of Ulken (foreground), where the country's first nuclear power plant is set to be built, on Sept. 22, 2024.

Kazakhstan will seek to balance its reliance on Russia to build its first nuclear plant by partnering with China on subsequent projects and by leveraging new mining laws to extract downstream technology from foreign partners.

Kazakhstan's Strategy to Control Its Nuclear Future Amid Russian Leverage

A Chinese vessel participates in oil exploration.

While China has so far fared well, persistent Strait of Hormuz disruptions would test its oil reserves and drive more defensive policies to secure growth, energy and export competitiveness.

Time Will Test China's Economic Resilience Against Iran War Shocks

Snapshots

United Arab Emirates

The skyline of Dubai is seen on March 11, 2026.

The UAE's exit will enable it to boost production more quickly once shipping through the Strait of Hormuz normalizes, while hindering OPEC's ability to manage the subsequent price drops.

The UAE's Exit From OPEC Further Diminishes the Oil Cartel's Relevance

Vietnam

India

Employees walk at the construction site of a gas metering station, part of the pipeline link between Bulgaria and Greece near the village of Malko Kadievo, on March 18, 2022. 

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

The Weekly Rundown: No U.S.-Iran Breakthrough, EU Ban on Spot Market Russian LNG

A digital illustration shows the euro currency symbol burning with a blue flame inside a gas stove. 

Brussels' strategy prioritizes temporary relief and coordination over broad market intervention, which will likely result in a fragmented response and sustained price volatility.

EU Outlines Energy Relief and Coordination Measures in Response to Iran-Linked Supply Shock

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

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. 

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

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

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

Energy

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., Iran: Trump Tells Aides to Prepare for a Prolonged Blockade of Iran

Russia, Africa: Putin Hosts Talks With Republic of Congo President in Moscow

Latin America: Rodriguez Visits Barbados After Meeting With Colombia's Petro

China, U.S.: Washington Hits Major Chinese Refiner Over Iranian Oil

Malaysia: Anwar Weighs Early Polls Before Fuel Subsidy Pain Hits

Ukraine, Saudi Arabia: Zelensky Visits Jeddah To Expand Security Cooperation

Australia: Fuel Diplomacy Shelves Canberra's Gas Tax Push

Angola: Government Foresees $3.5B Windfall in 2026 From Higher Oil Prices

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support