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China's regulators have stopped reviewing applications for licenses to export heavy rare earths to Japanese companies in the days since China announced a ban on dual-use goods exports to Japanese military end users on Jan. 6, according to two Chinese exporters interviewed by The Wall Street Journal on Jan. 8.

China, Japan: Beijing Cuts Exports of Heavy Rare Earths to Japan

Energy

Social Issues

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum on Jan. 7 directing the U.S. withdrawal from 66 U.N.-backed and other international organizations, conventions and treaties that the White House said are "contrary to the interests of the United States."

U.S.: Trump Administration Orders U.S. To Pull Out of Dozens of International Entities

The Office of the United States Trade Representative concluded a yearlong Section 301 investigation, finding China's semiconductor industrial policies "unreasonable," but said any new tariffs on Chinese legacy chips will be delayed until June 2027 with rates announced at least 30 days in advance, the Financial Times reported Dec. 23. 

China: Washington Delays New Chip Tariffs to 2027 Amid Fragile Trade Truce

U.S.-China Relations

Ethiopia

Sudan

Egypt

Military & Security

Following a meeting between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the Egyptian presidential office issued a statement on Dec. 18 that outlined a series of "red lines" regarding Sudan's civil war, namely the preservation of Sudan's territorial integrity, the rejection of parallel government entities and the preservation of state institutions.

Egypt: Cairo Outlines 'Red Lines' in Sudan, Secures SAF Support on Nile Tensions

Europe

The European Commission proposed changes on Dec. 16 to ease EU vehicle emissions rules, allowing some combustion engine vehicles to remain on the market beyond the planned 2035 phaseout, according to a press release.

EU: Brussels Weakens 2035 Combustion Engine Ban With Emissions Rule Overhaul

Cyber

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order late on Dec. 11 that seeks to curb state-level artificial intelligence laws as part of the administration's larger deregulation push for the sector, The Washington Post reported the same day. 

U.S.: Trump Signs Executive Order Aiming To Curb State AI Laws

Israel

Australia

Singapore

South Korea

The U.S. Trump administration plans to sign the Pax Silica Declaration with Australia, Japan, Israel, Singapore and South Korea on Dec. 12, forming a coalition designed to counter China's control of critical minerals and its growing clout in the artificial intelligence sector, Politico reported the same day.

Global: U.S., Five Others To Sign Pax Silica Declaration in a Bid To Counter China in CRMs, AI

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently added artificial intelligence processors from Huawei, Cambricon and other Chinese companies to its government-approved list of suppliers, the Financial Times reported on Dec. 9.

China: Beijing Adds Domestic AI Chips to Government-Approved Supplier List

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

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As elections reshape political incentives worldwide, 2026 will see major powers recalibrate diplomacy and conflict, raising the risk of fragile deals, regional instability and sudden escalation.

2026 Annual Geopolitical Forecast: An Excerpt

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Flight routes.

As 2026 approaches, we look back at the previous year and consider the top five patterns and trends as measured by geopolitical impact.

2025: A Geopolitical Review

A container ship arrives Oct. 10 at the Port of Oakland, California. In 2026, political calculations among major global players will significantly shape international affairs.

In 2026, political calculations among major global players will significantly shape international affairs.

2026 Annual Forecast: A Global Overview

Media

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How could advancements in AI increase the threat of state-sponsored cyber activity?

Essential Geopolitics: The Role of AI in State-Sponsored Cyber Espionage Campaigns

Tanzania

Hong Kong SAR, China

Protesters help an injured demonstrator near burning barricades amid clashes in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Oct. 29, 2025. 

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

The Weekly Rundown: Unrest in Tanzania, an EU Summit in Ukraine

Brazil

Iraq

Campaign posters Nov. 6 ahead of Nov. 11 Iraqi parliamentary elections in central Baghdad.

The Weekly Rundown: Iraqi Elections, a U.S.-China Deal Enters Effect

The COP30 logo at the central building is seen ahead of the COP30 Brazil Amazonia 2025 on Nov. 3, 2025 in Belem, Brazil. 

The 30th U.N. Climate Change Conference is poised to highlight the enduring impasse between developed and developing nations, particularly regarding financial responsibilities and the transition from fossil fuels.

A Breakthrough on Climate Targets is Unlikely at Brazil's COP30

The Geopolitics of Trade

Global Trade

The recalibration of the European Union's sustainability framework will ease near-term compliance burdens and costs for businesses but preserve long-term uncertainty.

The Geopolitics of Trade: EU Steps Back From Ambitious Environmental Policies

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.

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

While countries will likely increasingly pursue trade deals with digital clauses, the slow pace of regulatory development, coupled with a global tendency toward protectionism, will impede the push toward building out more streamlined digital economy agreements.

The Geopolitics of Trade: The Role of Digital Trade in Modern Free Trade Agreements

This aerial photograph shows dry areas near the Alacati Kutlu Aktas Dam in Izmir, Turkey, on July 30, 2025. 

The absence of a national water strategy leaves local authorities and businesses exposed to the mounting pressures of climate change, inefficient agricultural practices and population growth.

Water Scarcity Likely to Worsen With Climate Change, Deepening Turkey's Economic Challenges

Columns

On Security

An aerial view of the IAD71 Amazon Web Services data center is seen on July 17, 2024, in Ashburn, Virginia. 

AI's displacement of workers, the environmental impact of data centers and fears of pervasive surveillance are creating a potent mix of grievances likely to fuel violent extremism against targets associated with the technology.

The Coming Violent Backlash Against AI

Environment, Science & Technology

SITUATION REPORTS

China, Japan: Beijing Cuts Exports of Heavy Rare Earths to Japan

U.S.: Trump Administration Orders U.S. To Pull Out of Dozens of International Entities

China: Washington Delays New Chip Tariffs to 2027 Amid Fragile Trade Truce

Egypt: Cairo Outlines 'Red Lines' in Sudan, Secures SAF Support on Nile Tensions

EU: Brussels Weakens 2035 Combustion Engine Ban With Emissions Rule Overhaul

U.S.: Trump Signs Executive Order Aiming To Curb State AI Laws

Global: U.S., Five Others To Sign Pax Silica Declaration in a Bid To Counter China in CRMs, AI

China: Beijing Adds Domestic AI Chips to Government-Approved Supplier List

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