Ukraine

Military & Security

Politics

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Maj. Gen. Ievhen Khmara, acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine, as interim defense minister after Mykhailo Fedorov's removal triggered rare wartime protests and the resignation of deputy air force commander Col. Pavlo Yelizarov, Interfax-Ukraine reported on July 16. 

Ukraine: Popular Defense Minister's Ouster Sparks Protests, Exposes Civilian-Military Rift

China

Kazakhstan

Cyber

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chinese President Xi Jinping adopted a 2027-30 trade and economic program on the fringes of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, or WAIC, in Shanghai, China, Akorda reported on July 16.

Kazakhstan, China: Shanghai Package Gives Chinese Companies a Larger Role in Digital Networks

Japan

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and minor coalition partner Japan Innovation Party decided to extend the current Diet session, originally due to end on July 17, to July 24 or 27, with the ruling parties aiming to pass a controversial bill to make Osaka a secondary political capital, according to Jiji Press sources on July 16.

Japan: Diet Extension, Osaka Bill Risk Undermining Takaichi's Agenda

United States

Vietnam

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Vietnam must reduce nontariff trade barriers, improve intellectual property protections and align more closely with U.S. export controls before it can access high-tech U.S. equipment, Bloomberg reported on July 16. 

Vietnam, U.S.: Washington Maintains Pressure on Hanoi in Trade Negotiations

Brazil

The United States announced 25% tariffs on some Brazilian goods on July 15 following the conclusion of a Section 301 investigation, Folha de S.Paulo reported the same day.

U.S., Brazil: U.S. Imposes 25% Tariffs on Brazil Following Section 301 Investigation

Iran

Yemen

Iranian officials have reportedly asked Yemen's Houthi rebels to close the Bab el-Mandeb strait if the United States hits an Iranian power plant, Reuters reported on July 16.

U.S., Iran: U.S. Signals Escalation, Iran Asks Houthis To Stand Ready

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Travel restrictions to the Democratic Republic of the Congo linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the country's northeastern region are disrupting critical minerals cooperation between the United States and Congo, Reuters reported on July 15, based on conversations with one diplomatic and two consulting sources.

Congo: Reuters Reports Ebola Outbreak Disrupting U.S.-Congo Mineral Cooperation, Dealmaking

Australia

Energy

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese established an Office of AI within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and unveiled a national framework for regulating artificial intelligence, with the intention of introducing implementation legislation in early 2027, the Australian Financial Review reported on July 15.

Australia: Canberra Moves To Centralize AI Governance, Regulate Data Centers

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

Europe

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

Argentina

Bolivia

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Guyana

Peru

Venezuela

Pilgrims with flags from different countries gather at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 23, 2013, as they wait for the official opening of the Catholic Church's World Youth Day, which will be celebrated with a holy Mass. 

As many South American countries embrace right-leaning governments, their policies will increasingly align with those of the U.S. Trump administration, opening them to increased security cooperation, although economic integration remains unlikely.

What South America's Rightward Political Shift Means for U.S. Relations

India

The U.S. and Indian flags adorn the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 20, 2023.

While the ban could prompt the U.S. to lower its proposed Section 301 tariff on India from 12.5% to 10%, unresolved concerns over manufacturing overcapacity will sustain the risk of broader, sector-specific tariffs.

India Imposes Forced Labor Import Ban to Reduce U.S. Tariff Exposure

Media

Podcasts

Which Sub-Saharan countries face the highest risk of protests and unrest in the coming months?

The Decision Advantage: The Outlook for Security in Sub-Saharan Africa

U.S.-Iran Relations

Albania

Montenegro

Moldova

A man checks the flags of EU countries in 2004. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Recent negotiations saw Montenegro and Albania pushed into advanced legislative alignment while Brussels expanded accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.


The Progress, Prospects and Risks of EU Enlargement

United Kingdom

Andy Burnham delivers a speech on June 29, 2026, in Manchester, England. 

As prime minister, Andy Burnham will likely maintain continuity on fiscal, foreign and defense policies within tight budget and market constraints, along with an incremental approach to EU relations.

Previewing Burnham's Premiership in the U.K.

Israel

Lebanon

Indonesia

Myanmar

Philippines

Singapore

Thailand

France

Russia

ASEAN leaders hold hands for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the 48th ASEAN summit in Cebu, central Philippines on May 8, 2026. 

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

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Iran Tensions Remain High, ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meet With Myanmar

Snapshots

Germany

Spain

EU flags are displayed in the EU Council headquarters on July 9, 2026, in Brussels, Belgium.

While the European Union is unlikely to adopt the Spanish plan, it could drive an incremental expansion of common borrowing for strategic priorities like defense and industrial competitiveness.


Spain Broaches EU Taboo With Common Debt Proposal

A German flag flutters in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany. 

Global Trade

The package of reforms aims to revive productivity and lift Europe's largest economy out of its multi-year slump, though the package's limited nature and global trade headwinds will limit the impact in the medium term.


Germany's Labor-Market Reforms Could Lead to Modest Economic Improvements

Journalists surround French far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen (center) as she arrives with National Rally president Jordan Bardella (third from right) for a campaign rally in La Fleche, France, on July 8, 2026.

With the launch of Le Pen's campaign, the National Rally appears set to win France's 2027 presidential election, signaling a coming policy shift toward EU confrontation and weaker NATO integration, though various constraints would temper implementation.

As Le Pen Returns to the Race, What Would a Far-Right Presidency Look Like in France?

North Macedonia

Serbia

Croatia

Slovenia

Kosovo

Protestors hold national flags as they gather outside Albania's prime minister's office to oppose the construction of luxury resorts, in Tirana on June 25.

Social Issues

Driven by grievances like corruption and declining public trust, protests in the Western Balkans have evolved into deep challenges to ruling elites.


The Implications of Serbia and Albania's Massive Protest Waves

The NATO headquarters is seen in Brussels, Belgium.

The Weekly Rundown: Turkey Hosts NATO Summit, Iran Buries Slain Supreme Leader

Kenya

Protesters march outside Parliament to honor victims of the June 25, 2024, protest on June 25, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya.

Despite declining public approval, President William Ruto remains well-positioned to leverage state resources and exploit opposition divisions to secure his standing ahead of next year's general election.


Kenyan Opposition Struggles To Unite Against Ruto Ahead of 2027 Elections

Politics

SITUATION REPORTS

Ukraine: Popular Defense Minister's Ouster Sparks Protests, Exposes Civilian-Military Rift

Kazakhstan, China: Shanghai Package Gives Chinese Companies a Larger Role in Digital Networks

Japan: Diet Extension, Osaka Bill Risk Undermining Takaichi's Agenda

Vietnam, U.S.: Washington Maintains Pressure on Hanoi in Trade Negotiations

U.S., Brazil: U.S. Imposes 25% Tariffs on Brazil Following Section 301 Investigation

U.S., Iran: U.S. Signals Escalation, Iran Asks Houthis To Stand Ready

Congo: Reuters Reports Ebola Outbreak Disrupting U.S.-Congo Mineral Cooperation, Dealmaking

Australia: Canberra Moves To Centralize AI Governance, Regulate Data Centers

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