Nigeria

United States

Military & Security

The United States is operating MQ-9 Reaper drones in Nigeria in a strictly non-combat reconnaissance role, supporting Nigerian forces against jihadist groups, RFI reported on March 22.

Nigeria: U.S. Operates MQ-9 'Reaper' Drones in Nigeria for Intelligence Support

Mali

Energy

In Mali, authorities released more than 100 suspected jihadists linked to the al Qaeda Sahel affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, this week as part of an agreement to secure a temporary truce that paused the jihadist‑imposed fuel embargo, RFI reported on March 22.

Mali: Over 100 Suspected Jihadists Released Amid Truce on Mali Fuel Embargo

Somalia

Politics

The president of Somalia's South West state, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, accused the federal government of carrying out a "blatant invasion " of the state after clashes erupted between regional forces and local opposition fighters linked to the federal government near Baidoa on March 19, Hiiraan News reported on March 22.

Somalia: South West State President Denounces 'Blatant Invasion' by Federal Government

Central African Republic

Chad

Ethiopia

Sudan

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is growing its smuggling network to Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, through Ethiopia and the Central African Republic, Le Monde reported on March 22.

Sudan: UAE Developing New Weapons Smuggling Routes to RSF Despite Iran War

Palestinian Territories

Indonesia

Economics

Indonesia rejected a $1 billion fee to secure a permanent seat on the U.S.-led Board of Peace while reiterating its willingness to contribute troops to a peacekeeping mission in Gaza, AFP reported on March 23.

Indonesia, U.S.: Jakarta Reject $1B Board of Peace Fee, Leaves Open Trade Deal Withdrawal

Iran

Myanmar

Myanmar authorities expanded fuel rationing beyond odd-even day rationing by introducing a centralized QR and barcode system that caps volumes by vehicle type, restricts purchase frequency and tightens nationwide distribution controls, Bloomberg reported on March 23.

Myanmar: Fuel Rationing Signals Logistics Strain on War Effort

Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov condemned U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure and warned of risks to Russian personnel and possible spillover into the Caspian basin during a call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, Interfax reported on March 23.

Russia, Iran: Moscow Warns of Caspian Spillover Risk 

U.S.-Iran Relations

Cuba

Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said the country has no disputes with the United States but would be naive not to prepare for the unlikely possibility of U.S. military aggression, Reuters reported on March 22.

Cuba, U.S.: Havana Says It Is Preparing for Potential U.S. Military Aggression

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

Columns

Israel

Lebanon

Syria

Photos of prominent Hezbollah leaders are seen at the site of a reported Israeli airstrike which killed 6 members of the same family, on March 19, 2026 in Baalbek, Lebanon.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The trajectory of the war will be increasingly defined by a clash of strategic objectives that makes a quick resolution of the conflict unlikely.


The Impact the Israel-Hezbollah War Will Have on Lebanon

Assessments

Denmark

France

Italy

Ukraine

The European Parliament building in 2019 in Strasbourg, France. Parliament is set to hold a plenary vote March 26 on implementing the 2025 EU‑U.S. trade framework agreement.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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

The Weekly Rundown: A Vote on the EU‑U.S. Trade Framework, the Iran Conflict Continues

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting in Moscow on the global oil and gas market situation on March 9, 2026.

The current surge in demand for Russian oil will likely be short-lived, but weaker sanctions enforcement and higher energy prices could nonetheless buoy Moscow's capacity to fund its war in Ukraine.

In Twist of Fate, Russia Gets a Boost From Iran-Related Oil Shocks

Bahrain

Kuwait

Oman

People walk along the corniche area on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026.

Global Trade

Disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will compel Gulf Cooperation Council states to invest in alternative trade routes and more resilient physical infrastructure.

Gulf Arab States, Shaken by Iran War, Plan Economic Pivot

Greenland

Danish Defense Minister and top candidate of Denmark's Venstre party, Troels Lund Poulsen (left), and Danish Prime Minister and top candidate of the Social Democrat Party, Mette Frederiksen (right), attend a debate in Copenhagen on March 15, 2026.

Environment, Science & Technology

The upcoming parliamentary elections could result in three distinct coalitions that would offer varying continuity in domestic economic policy and Copenhagen's approach to U.S. pressure over Greenland.

Denmark's General Elections: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

Japan

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addresses a news conference at the Prime Minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 18.

The Japanese prime minister may offer economic and security concessions during her upcoming summit with the U.S. president to avoid direct entanglement in the Iran conflict while preserving the relationship with Washington.

Iran War Heightens Stakes of Key Takaichi-Trump Summit

Commercial vessels are pictured offshore in Dubai on March 11, 2026. 

A U.S.-led naval mission to protect ships from Iranian attacks would likely begin only after the war's intensity decreases, and even then, it would take weeks to organize and yield only a limited return of maritime traffic through the strait.

The Obstacles Facing the U.S. Plan for Strait of Hormuz Naval Escorts

Mozambique

Rwanda

Rwandan soldiers patrol in Mocimboa da Praia, northern Mozambique, on Aug. 12, 2021. 

Rwanda is unlikely to withdraw all its troops from Cabo Delgado in the short term, but a partial drawdown is possible if the EU doesn't approve fresh funding, which would degrade Mozambique's capacity to counter jihadist militants in the gas-rich region.

Will Rwanda Withdraw Troops From Northern Mozambique?

Smoke plumes rise above a village in southern Lebanon following Israeli airstrikes on March 16, 2026.

Even if it engages in direct talks with Lebanon, Israel is unlikely to de-escalate its military operations in the country without major concessions on border security and Hezbollah's disarmament.

Hezbollah-Israel War Set To Intensify, Despite Lebanon's Diplomatic Push

The Geopolitics of Demographics

Social Issues

Demographics may not be destiny, but it does play a major role in questions of national power.

The Geopolitics of Demographics: An Introduction

China

A large plume of smoke rises March 7 over Tehran after explosions were reported in the Iranian capital during the night.

Military & Security

SITUATION REPORTS

Nigeria: U.S. Operates MQ-9 'Reaper' Drones in Nigeria for Intelligence Support

Mali: Over 100 Suspected Jihadists Released Amid Truce on Mali Fuel Embargo

Somalia: South West State President Denounces 'Blatant Invasion' by Federal Government

Sudan: UAE Developing New Weapons Smuggling Routes to RSF Despite Iran War

Indonesia, U.S.: Jakarta Reject $1B Board of Peace Fee, Leaves Open Trade Deal Withdrawal

Myanmar: Fuel Rationing Signals Logistics Strain on War Effort

Russia, Iran: Moscow Warns of Caspian Spillover Risk

Cuba, U.S.: Havana Says It Is Preparing for Potential U.S. Military Aggression

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support