Kenya

Politics

The Orange Democratic Movement party, or ODM, announced that it would form a technical committee with Kenya's ruling United Democratic Alliance party, or UDA, with ODM leader Oburu Odinga stating that the party would not field a presidential candidate of its own in Kenya's August 2027 general election and would instead support Kenyan President William Ruto's reelection bid, Daily Nation reported on Aug. 2.

Kenya: ODM Announces Plan for Joint Manifesto With Ruto's UDA

United States

Japan

Economics

Japan's finance ministry confirmed on Aug. 3 that the U.S. and Japanese governments had coordinated on July 31 for Washington to buy Japanese yen to bolster the currency, the first such intervention since 1998.

Japan, U.S.: Governments Coordinate To Buy Yen for First Time Since 1998

Europe

Spain

A letter signed by 22 EU leaders on Aug. 1 criticized Spain's migration policies, blaming Madrid's regularization scheme as a pull factor and calling for stronger external borders and more effective returns, after tens of thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta on July 30, Reuters reported the same day.

Spain, EU: Spain and Schengen Under Pressure Following Ceuta Migrant Crisis

Iran

Oman

Military & Security

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson denied U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that the United States and Iran would begin talks on Aug. 3, but confirmed that Iran was involved in discussions with Oman over establishing a temporary shipping lane through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported on Aug. 3. 

U.S., Iran: Iran Refutes Trump's Claims of New U.S.-Iran Talks

U.S.-Iran Relations

Malaysia

The center-right Barisan Nasional, or BN, coalition -- which governs alongside Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's center-left Pakatan Harapan, or PH, coalition as a junior partner at the federal level -- joined forces with the opposition Islamist-led Perikatan Nasional, or PN, coalition to win 25 of Negeri Sembilan's 36 seats in the Aug. 1 state election, Channel News Asia reported the same day.

Malaysia: Another State Loss for Prime Minister's Coalition Makes Snap Election Less Likely

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesperson, Doron Spielman, expressed skepticism about the viability of the U.S.-backed Hamas disarmament plan, saying Israel remained convinced Hamas would rearm and attack again should Israel withdraw from Gaza in the near future, AP reported on Aug. 2.

Israel, Gaza: Israel Strikes Gaza as Tensions Bubble Over Disarmament Deal

Cuba

Cuba announced new plans to open up the private sector, including allowing businesses to import fuel and medication and allowing private tourist companies to more easily operate on the island, Reuters reported on July 30.

Cuba: Government Further Opens Economy to Private Industry

China

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held a video call with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, China's trade envoy to the United States, late on July 30, in which Bessent said he emphasized expectations that China uphold its "commitments on rare earths and U.S. agricultural products," according to Axios.

U.S., China: Trade Call Shows Limited Aims for September Xi-Trump Summit

U.S.-China Relations

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

Below are our latest and most relevant politics analyses.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

The Post-Apartheid Era Ends

Venezuela's Unraveling

The Saudi Survival Strategy

The Kurdish Struggle

Israel's Survival Strategy

Turkey's Resurgence

EU: Regional Blocs

Divided EU Foreign Policies

Brexit

Old Leaders in a New Africa

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

The Pulse of Political Islam

Broken Contracts in the Middle East

Russia's Internal Struggle

China in Transition

Southeast Asia: Burdened by Consensus

India's Own Worst Enemy

Pakistan: A Military With a Country

Assessments

Bangladesh

Garment workers sew clothes at a textile factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 29, 2024. 

Energy

The government's efforts to secure U.S. tariff exemptions and external financial aid will have only a modest impact without addressing the ready-made garment sector's energy shortages and other structural challenges.

The Outlook for Bangladesh's Garment Sector Under U.S. Tariffs

Snapshots

Ukraine

Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (center) chats with U.S. senators before heading to a closed-door meeting at the U.S. Capitol on July 28, 2026. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

If enacted, the proposed bill would give Trump broad new authority to impose tariffs on major Russian oil buyers, but selective enforcement means it would unlikely compel Russia to end its war in Ukraine.

New U.S. Sanctions Bill Unlikely To Impact Russia's Oil Exports or War Strategy

Colombia

Venezuela

Lebanon

Colombia's President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella (R) delivers a speech during a military parade commemorating Colombia's Independence Day in Medellin, Colombia, on July 20, 2026. 

Cyber

Environment, Science & Technology

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

The Weekly Rundown: Colombia's New President Takes Office, Brussels Gains AI Act Enforcement Powers

France

Firefighters spray water along the edge of a forest during a wildfire in southwestern France on July 25, 2026. 

While unlikely to be electorally decisive in either country, the crisis will heighten scrutiny of both governments' crisis management and elevate climate adaptation, emergency preparedness and civil protection as key national and EU policy priorities.

The Political and Security Impact of the Wildfires in France and Spain

Damaged structures are seen at the site of a U.S.-Saudi strike against Iran-backed militias in Bartalla, northern Iraq, on July 29, 2026. 

As the conflict picks back up, Trump must decide whether to offer Iran major concessions, which would alienate hawkish Republicans at home, or escalate military operations at the risk of reigniting a broader regional war.

Trump Once Again Weighs His Options Against Iran

Brunei Darussalam

Cambodia

Timor-Leste

Indonesia

Laos

Myanmar

Philippines

Singapore

Thailand

Vietnam

Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro (center) and other leaders leave after a group photo session on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila on July 24, 2026.

The meetings in Manila produced talks but no immediate collective action on critical regional issues like the Iran war's energy shock, intensifying South China Sea tensions and the Myanmar civil war.

ASEAN Meetings Make Little Headway on Pressing Energy and Security Issues

Iraq

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) speaks during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (2nd-L) in the Oval Office of the White House on July 14, 2026.

While the Iraqi prime minister's visit to the White House yielded some deals, implementation constraints will likely eventually lead to renewed U.S. economic pressure, further straining Baghdad's finances.

New U.S. Agreements Unlikely to Ease Iraq's Economic Woes

Chile

Chilean lawmakers in Congress celebrate at the end of the voting session on the economic reform bill on July 21, 2026.

Chile is poised to soon enact one of its broadest economic reform packages in decades, which will likely boost investor confidence and regulatory certainty, but at the expense of rising fiscal pressures.

What To Expect as Chile Prepares to Enact Sweeping Economic Reform Bill

Supporters of the far-right Vox party wave flags and shout slogans during a protest against Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid, on June 13, 2025.

Social Issues

Strict constitutional restrictions and EU institutional oversight would significantly constrain a future right-wing government's ability to implement sweeping institutional changes.

What the Far-Right Vox Entering Government Would Mean for Spain's Security and Society

Peru

United Kingdom

A couple rides past Iranian-made Zolfaghar missiles displayed at Azadi Square in Tehran on July 24.

The Weekly Rundown: A Likely U.S. Escalation in Iran, Zelensky Travels to Washington

Turkey

Demonstrators yell through a megaphone and hold a framed portrait of the ousted Republican People's Party (CHP) chairman, Ogur Ozel, during an opposition rally in Izmir, Turkey, on May 24, 2026. 

The split could reduce the opposition's competitiveness in the 2028 general elections and further embolden Erdogan to pursue another term via constitutional or electoral mechanisms.

Turkey's Main Opposition Party Splits, Casting Uncertainty Over Efforts to Oust Erdogan

Saudi Arabia

Yemen

Yemeni protesters take part in a demonstration held to send a message of defiance against the continued siege and any military escalation involving Saudi forces against Houthi-controlled northern Yemen on July 17. 

Forced to bypass the disrupted Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia's increased reliance on alternative routes leaves its critical oil shipments vulnerable to Houthi attacks.


Yemen's Houthis Threaten Saudi Oil Exports With Red Sea Blockade

Politics

SITUATION REPORTS

Kenya: ODM Announces Plan for Joint Manifesto With Ruto's UDA

Japan, U.S.: Governments Coordinate To Buy Yen for First Time Since 1998

Spain, EU: Spain and Schengen Under Pressure Following Ceuta Migrant Crisis

U.S., Iran: Iran Refutes Trump's Claims of New U.S.-Iran Talks

Malaysia: Another State Loss for Prime Minister's Coalition Makes Snap Election Less Likely

Israel, Gaza: Israel Strikes Gaza as Tensions Bubble Over Disarmament Deal

Cuba: Government Further Opens Economy to Private Industry

U.S., China: Trade Call Shows Limited Aims for September Xi-Trump Summit

Forecasts

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