Cote d'Ivoire

Economics

Military & Security

Politics

Cote d'Ivoire's ruling Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace, or RHDP, secured a large legislative majority in the country's Dec. 26 elections, winning 197 of the 255 seats in the National Assembly, Radio France Internationale reported Dec. 29.

Cote d'Ivoire: Ruling Party Secures Landslide Victory in Legislative Elections 

United States

Ukraine

Russia

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to attack a presidential residence near Valdai in the Novgorod region with long-range drones, an allegation Kyiv denied as fabricated, Reuters reported on Dec. 30.

Russia, Ukraine: Kremlin Signals Tougher Negotiating Posture After Alleged Drone Attack

China

Japan

Taiwan

China conducted the second and likely final day of its Justice Mission 2025 military drills around Taiwan, with Taiwan's defense ministry detecting 103 Chinese military aircraft, naval vessels, coast guard ships and amphibious vessels practicing raids and seizing ports, the South China Post reported on Dec. 30.

China, Taiwan: Missile Tests, Drills in Japan's EEZ Amid Second Day of Military Exercises

Israel

Palestinian Territories

U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Dec. 29 to reverse Israel's West Bank policies amid U.S. concerns that settlement expansion and violent Israeli settlers could undermine the Gaza ceasefire and stall efforts to expand the Abraham Accords, Axios reported on Dec. 30.

U.S., Israel: U.S. Pressures Israel To Reverse West Bank Policies, Israel Curbs Humanitarian Work in Gaza

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Saudi Arabia said its national security constitutes a "red line" it will defend, hours after the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen struck vehicles and cargo in Hadramawt province that it said were supplied by a foreign military to southern separatist forces, Reuters reported on Dec. 30.

Yemen: Saudi Arabia Strikes Yemeni Separatist Arms Shipment, Allegedly Supplied by UAE

Syria

Syrian security forces imposed a one-day curfew in Latakia province after four people were killed in recent protests there, state media reported on Dec. 30. 

Syria: Damascus Imposes Curfew in Latakia Amid Alawite Unrest

Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the latter's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and discussed the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza, as well as regional security threats from Hamas and Iran, Al Jazeera reported on Dec. 29.

U.S., Israel: Netanyahu, Trump Meet in Florida, Discuss Regional Security Issues, Gaza Ceasefire

U.S.-Iran Relations

Venezuela

In response to a reporter's question, U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States "hit" a dock area in Venezuela allegedly used to load drugs onto boats to be trafficked out of the country, saying there was a "major explosion," Reuters reported on Dec. 29. 

U.S., Venezuela: Trump Says U.S. Destroyed Drug Trafficking Facility in Venezuela

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

Below are our latest and most relevant military analyses. 

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

The Syrian Civil War

The Yemen Civil War

The Libyan Civil War

The Fight Against the Islamic State

The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

The India-Pakistan Rivalry

Cyber

The Ukraine Conflict

Tracking U.S. Naval Power

The Battle for Mosul

Rebalancing Power in the Middle East

Coping With a Nuclear North Korea

The Jihadist Wars

Echoes of the Cold War

Instability in Central Asia

South Asian Militancy

Pakistan: A Military With a Country

Snapshots

A U.S. military MQ-9 Reaper drone sits on a tarmac at Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, on Dec. 27, 2025.

The Trump administration will likely soon launch more strikes inside Venezuela following the reported CIA drone attack on a suspected drug port, though a U.S. ground invasion remains unlikely for the foreseeable future.

Trump Escalates Pressure on Venezuela With First Land Strike

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Somalia

Egypt

Residents wave Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognizing Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on Dec. 26, 2025. 

Israel establishing military facilities in Somaliland would invite Houthi attacks against the territory and raise the likelihood of renewed disruptions to Red Sea shipping.


Israel's Recognition of Somaliland Raises the Stakes Along the Red Sea Corridor 

Media

Podcasts

Energy

How has U.S. interest in the Middle East evolved over time? 

Essential Geopolitics: A Historical Look Back on U.S.-Middle East Relations

Assessments

Cambodia

Thailand

A general view shows the closed border checkpoint between Cambodia and Thailand in Poipet, Cambodia, on Dec. 12, 2025, amid clashes in the area.

The Southeast Asian countries' second pause following the failed July ceasefire remains highly fragile due to early alleged violations and unresolved territorial disputes, which could lead to renewed large-scale fighting in the years ahead.

Another Thai-Cambodian Truce Halts Escalating Border Clashes -- For Now

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 28, 2025.

While the U.S. and Ukrainian presidents have narrowed their differences on a 20-point peace framework, the Kremlin's insistence on full control of the Donbas complicates the prospects of a negotiated deal.

Ukraine Peace Deal Still Elusive Despite Trump-Zelensky Talks

Central African Republic

Guinea

Myanmar

Bulgaria

Cyprus

Kosovo

The Bulgarian flag and the European flag waving in the wind.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Bulgaria Adopts the Euro, U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Persist

Columns

On Geopolitics

Yemenis gather during a rally to show their support for the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), which wants to revive an independent South Yemen, as they wave the old South Yemen flag in Khormaksar Square, in the coastal port city of Aden on Dec. 14, 2025. 

Achieving South Arabian independence will require Yemen's Southern Transitional Council to overcome the historical challenges that have long plagued the governance of Yemen writ large, like tribalism and regionalism.

The Precarious Path to South Arabian Independence

A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II on Dec. 15 taxis at Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico.

The Weekly Rundown: French Budget Deadlock, U.S.-Russia Talks in Miami

YemenYemenis rally to show their support for the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council on Dec. 14, 2025.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Escalating tensions and potential violence between the Southern Transitional Council and Saudi-backed forces create security vacuums that Houthi rebels will likely exploit.



Yemen's Anti-Houthi Bloc Is Fracturing

Mozambique

Republic of the Congo

Afghanistan

A destroyed church is seen in Mosul, Iraq.

The Islamic State's main threat to the West in 2026 will remain its ability to inspire lone-actor violence, though in the coming years the group's African, Afghan and Syrian branches may become increasingly capable of directing mass casualty attacks in Western countries.

The Islamic State's Enduring Threat to the West

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.

Environment, Science & Technology

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

2026 Annual Forecast: A Global Overview

Uzbekistan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan

Global Trade

Despite growing interest from Russia, China and Western powers, Central Asia will struggle to emerge as a true continental trade hub due to competing agendas, weak financing and coordination, and security and governance issues.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Central Asia's Struggle for Logistics Sovereignty

Military & Security

SITUATION REPORTS

Cote d'Ivoire: Ruling Party Secures Landslide Victory in Legislative Elections

Russia, Ukraine: Kremlin Signals Tougher Negotiating Posture After Alleged Drone Attack

China, Taiwan: Missile Tests, Drills in Japan's EEZ Amid Second Day of Military Exercises

U.S., Israel: U.S. Pressures Israel To Reverse West Bank Policies, Israel Curbs Humanitarian Work in Gaza

Yemen: Saudi Arabia Strikes Yemeni Separatist Arms Shipment, Allegedly Supplied by UAE

Syria: Damascus Imposes Curfew in Latakia Amid Alawite Unrest

U.S., Israel: Netanyahu, Trump Meet in Florida, Discuss Regional Security Issues, Gaza Ceasefire

U.S., Venezuela: Trump Says U.S. Destroyed Drug Trafficking Facility in Venezuela

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support