United States

China

Malaysia

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Politics

On a state visit to Malaysia, Chinese President Xi Jinping signed 31 cooperation agreements with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim spanning artificial intelligence, infrastructure, trade, agriculture, media and other subjects, The Edge Malaysia reported on April 16. 

China, Malaysia: Xi, Anwar Sign 31 Agreements

Cyber

At the last minute, the U.S. government extended for 11 months funding for the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database of publicly disclosed cybersecurity vulnerabilities, which U.S. nonprofit MITRE maintains, Forbes reported on April 16.

U.S.: Government Extends Funding for Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures Program

The U.S. State Department is closing the Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Hub, also known as R/FIMI, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X on April 16. 

U.S.: State Department To Eliminate Center Countering Foreign Disinformation

In a rule issued late on April 11, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection exempted 20 product categories from new 125% tariffs on China, including smartphones, modems, routers, flash drives, displays, semiconductors and other consumer electronics, although the goods are still subject to the 20% tariff on China over fentanyl trade. 

U.S.: Consumer Electronics Exempted From 125% China Tariffs, But More Tariffs Coming Soon

U.S.-China Relations

United Arab Emirates

Europe

Military & Security

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed to launch negotiations for an EU-UAE free trade agreement, with von der Leyen expressing EU willingness to conclude a deal within months, Reuters reported on April 10. 

EU, UAE: Leaders Launch Negotiations for Free Trade Agreement

Taiwan

In a confidential meeting between U.S. and Chinese officials in December 2024, Chinese officials indicated that Beijing carried out cyber intrusions into U.S. critical infrastructure in retaliation for increasing U.S. support for Taiwan, The Wall Street Journal reported on April 10.

China, U.S.: China Reportedly Acknowledged Responsibility for Cyber Intrusions

Mexico

U.S. President Donald Trump accused Mexico of violating a 1944 water-sharing treaty and threatened to impose sanctions and tariffs on the country, El Pais reported on April 10.

U.S., Mexico: Water Dispute To Fuel Further Risks of U.S. Economic Retaliation Against Mexico

Netherlands

Energy

Dutch climate activist shareholder group Follow This announced that it was suspending its nine-year campaign to file climate resolutions forcing oil and gas companies to cut emissions due to a lack of investor support, Reuters reported on April 9.

Netherlands: Climate Activist Follow This Suspends Campaign Against Oil Companies

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

Technology

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

Agriculture

COVID-19

Supply Chains

_Energy

Environmental Issues

Globalization

The 4th Industrial Revolution

Columns

On Geopolitics

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Poland

Spain

Italy

NATO military forces during static display after the Steadfast Dart 2025 military exercises at the Smardan Training Area in Smardan, Romania, on Feb. 19, 2025. 

Europe is increasingly focused on achieving greater strategic autonomy in defense, but internal divisions and material constraints will plague this quest, even as the United States' role on the Continent continues to shrink, meaning NATO will likely remain the cornerstone of Europe’s security architecture. 

The Future of Transatlantic Security Cooperation, Part 2: The View From Europe

Assessments

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Social Issues

Intensifying trade wars, a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, continued volatility in the Middle East and consequential elections in key countries will shape the quarter.

2025 Second-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Global Elections

U.S.-Iran Relations

A photo of the U.S. Capitol overlaid with a pixilated blue and red pattern.

The United States will continue to prioritize AI innovation over regulation, and the European Union is set to partially reconsider its rules amid a broader push to increase competitiveness. 

The Future of AI Regulation Under the West's New Leadership

CDU leader Friedrich Merz (left) and the party's secretary general, Carsten Linnemann, hold a post-election press conference in Berlin, Germany, on Feb. 24, 2025. 

Germany's new government will likely be more stable than its predecessor, enabling the CDU/CSU to pursue economic stimulus and a more assertive foreign policy.

German Election Results Position the Center-Right To Retake the Helm

While wars over water remain rare, its unequal distribution, growing demand and climate change-driven stress will increasingly shape global challenges and geopolitical tensions in the decades to come.

The Geopolitics of Water: Conclusion

The Geopolitics of Water

South Africa

While government reforms will help catalyze much-needed investments in water infrastructure, these are unlikely to rapidly resolve the country's water supply challenges, which threaten to undermine South Africa's economic growth amid more frequent droughts. 

The Geopolitics of Water: The Cascading Effects of South African Underinvestment in Water Infrastructure

India

Pakistan

South Asia's rising demand for water resources will exacerbate disputes over key waterways, particularly the Brahmaputra and Indus rivers.

The Geopolitics of Water: Regional Rivals Compete for South Asia's Rivers

Canada

U.S. President Donald Trump holds up an executive order after signing it during an indoor inauguration parade at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C, on Jan. 20, 2025.

While some will face legal challenges, Trump's initial orders on immigration, trade, energy and climate issues lay the groundwork for his ambitious agenda.

What To Make of Trump's Day 1 Executive Orders

Brazil

Changes in rainfall patterns and extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change will increasingly challenge Brazil's crop production, causing unrest.

The Geopolitics of Water: The Impact of Climate Change on Brazil's Agribusiness

Ethiopia

Egypt

In the coming decade, water scarcity will likely contribute to the erosion of Egypt's economic and political independence, including its ability to act unilaterally against other countries vying for water along the Nile basin.

The Geopolitics of Water: The Threat to Egypt's Independence

Media

Podcasts

What is Salt Typhoon, and what happened in the recent hack against U.S. telecommunications companies? 

Essential Geopolitics: Unpacking China's Salt Typhoon Operation

Iran

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Syria

Turkey

North Korea

Ukraine

Russia

As 2025 approaches, we look back at the previous year and consider the top five events as measured by geopolitical impact.

2024: A Geopolitical Review

Environment, Science & Technology

SITUATION REPORTS

China, Malaysia: Xi, Anwar Sign 31 Agreements

U.S.: Government Extends Funding for Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures Program

U.S.: State Department To Eliminate Center Countering Foreign Disinformation

U.S.: Consumer Electronics Exempted From 125% China Tariffs, But More Tariffs Coming Soon

EU, UAE: Leaders Launch Negotiations for Free Trade Agreement

China, U.S.: China Reportedly Acknowledged Responsibility for Cyber Intrusions

U.S., Mexico: Water Dispute To Fuel Further Risks of U.S. Economic Retaliation Against Mexico

Netherlands: Climate Activist Follow This Suspends Campaign Against Oil Companies

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