United States

Environment, Science & Technology

Politics

On Inauguration Day, new U.S. President Donald Trump revoked a Biden-era artificial intelligence executive order that introduced requirements for developers of the most powerful AI systems to share safety test results and other critical information with the U.S. government prior to their release to the public, Reuters reported on Jan. 20.

U.S.: Trump Rolls Back Biden-Era AI Executive Order

Americas

On Inauguration Day, new U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to delay the enforcement of the divest-or-ban law targeting Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok -- which took effect on Jan. 19 -- for 75 days, The New York Times reported on Jan. 20.

U.S.: Trump Seeks To Delay TikTok Divest-or-Ban Law via Executive Order

Finland

Estonia

Russia

Military & Security

U.S. and European intelligence agencies believe that recent submarine cable ruptures in the Baltic Sea caused by commercial ships dragging their anchors along the seabed were likely accidental, with investigations reportedly uncovering no definitive evidence of intentional sabotage or links to Moscow, The Washington Post reported on Jan. 19. 

Estonia, Finland, Russia: Baltic Sea Subsea Cable Ruptures Likely Accidental, Not Sabotage

Economics

In a Jan. 20 executive order, new U.S. President Donald Trump resumed the process for the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization.

U.S.: Trump Revives Withdrawal From World Health Organization

China

Europe

Cyber

The European nonprofit privacy group noyb, an acronym for "none of your business," filed six complaints against AliExpress, Shein, TikTok, Temu, WeChat and Xiaomi for unlawfully transferring European users' data to China, Reuters reported on Jan. 17.

Europe: Noyb Files Complaints Against Six Chinese Companies

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a free speech argument filed by Chinese-based TikTok owner ByteDance, upholding a law that will require the Chinese company to divest itself from the social media platform or face a nationwide ban by Jan. 19, NBC News reported on Jan. 17. 

U.S.: Supreme Court Upholds Law Paving Way for TikTok Ban

U.S.-China Relations

U.S. space technology company Blue Origin successfully executed the maiden launch of its New Glenn heavy-lift launch vehicle's payload into its intended orbit, AP reported on Jan. 16.

U.S.: Blue Origin Launches New Glenn Rocket, Increasing Competition Among Private Space Companies

The United States is expected to unveil new rules as early as Jan. 15 that are designed to restrict the ability of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and Samsung to send advanced chips to China, where they could be used in a variety of applications, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 14.

U.S., China: Washington To Strengthen Export Controls on Advanced Chips to China

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

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

Agriculture

COVID-19

Supply Chains

_Energy

Environmental Issues

Globalization

The 4th Industrial Revolution

Assessments

Canada

Mexico

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.

Energy

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

Global Elections

Ethiopia

Egypt

The Geopolitics of Water

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

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

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

2024: A Geopolitical Review

India

Water utilities are uniquely vulnerable to cyberattacks due to frequent financial and security limitations, exposing water-stressed countries to threats from hacktivists and foreign adversaries.

 The Geopolitics of Water: Cyberattacks' Impact on Water Stress in the U.S. and Beyond

Algeria

Morocco

Tunisia

North Africa will struggle to combat its worsening drought amid overconsumption, mismanagement and technological shortcomings.

The Geopolitics of Water: A Prolonged Drought Dries Up North Africa's Resources

Columns

On Geopolitics

Statements made by Trump and his allies, including Elon Musk, offer insight into how his next administration will approach the regulation (or lack thereof) of AI, online content, data and monopolistic business practices.

Previewing Trump's Tech Policies

Cargo containers painted with Chinese and U.S. flags. Trade disruptions, shifting military conflicts and domestic political turbulence will shape global affairs in 2025.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Social Issues

Trade disruptions, shifting military conflicts and domestic political turbulence will shape global affairs in 2025.

2025 Annual Forecast: A Global Overview

U.S.-Iran Relations

Depleted groundwater reserves threaten India's agriculture, energy and manufacturing sectors, potentially sparking unrest and inter-state disputes in the absence of a coordinated national policy.

The Geopolitics of Water: India's Groundwater Crisis

Bangladesh

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) arrive for a joint press conference at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on Feb. 25, 2020.

While U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will maintain many of the outgoing Biden administration's overarching policies toward South Asia, bilateral relationships will grow increasingly transactional.

What Trump's Second Term Means for South Asia

Japan

A ballot is cast in front of the Japanese flag. On Nov. 11, the country will select a prime minister and convene an extraordinary session of its bicameral Diet.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Japan Selects a Prime Minister, Trump's Shadow Looms Over COP29

Environment, Science & Technology

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S.: Trump Rolls Back Biden-Era AI Executive Order

U.S.: Trump Seeks To Delay TikTok Divest-or-Ban Law via Executive Order

Estonia, Finland, Russia: Baltic Sea Subsea Cable Ruptures Likely Accidental, Not Sabotage

U.S.: Trump Revives Withdrawal From World Health Organization

Europe: Noyb Files Complaints Against Six Chinese Companies

U.S.: Supreme Court Upholds Law Paving Way for TikTok Ban

U.S.: Blue Origin Launches New Glenn Rocket, Increasing Competition Among Private Space Companies

U.S., China: Washington To Strengthen Export Controls on Advanced Chips to China

Forecasts

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