United States

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Politics

Social Issues

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum on Jan. 7 directing the U.S. withdrawal from 66 U.N.-backed and other international organizations, conventions and treaties that the White House said are "contrary to the interests of the United States."

U.S.: Trump Administration Orders U.S. To Pull Out of Dozens of International Entities

Chile

Economics

Military & Security

Far-right candidate Jose Antonio Kast was elected president of Chile after winning 58.3% of the vote in the Dec. 14 runoff, La Tercera reported on the same day. 

Chile: Kast Wins Presidential Election, Propelling the Far-Right to Power

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is reportedly planning to open two new alcohol stores for non-Muslims in 2026, including one in Dhahran to serve foreign staff at an Aramco oil facility and one in the port city of Jeddah to serve foreign diplomats, Reuters reported Nov. 24, citing anonymous sources. 

Saudi Arabia: Alcohol Stores for Non-Muslims To Open in Dhahran, Jeddah

El Salvador

El Salvador's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional reform that allows the president -- currently Nayib Bukele -- to be reelected indefinitely, Reuters reported on July 31.

El Salvador: Bukele Consolidates Power as Legislative Assembly Removes Presidential Term Limits

Israel

Palestinian Territories

On July 27, Israel announced 10-hour pauses in fighting in parts of the Gaza Strip -- specifically Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah and Gaza City -- to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, according to the Times of Israel on July 28. 

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Limited Humanitarian Aid, Airdrops Enter Gaza

Mexico

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum signed a new telecommunications law into law, which will take effect on July 17, El Economista reported July 16. 

Mexico: Government to Expand Internet Access, Cut Costs with New Telecom Law

Panama

Panamanian authorities suspended access to internet and mobile phone services in Bocas del Toro after President Jose Raul Mulino declared a state of emergency in the province following nearly two months of protests, Deutsche Welle reported June 21. 

Panama: State of Emergency on Protest-Ridden Province Unlikely to End Demonstrations in the Long Term 

Colombia

More than 70,000 people marched across 20 cities in Colombia to rebuke rising violence and the assassination attempt of right-wing Senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe, El Pais reported June 15.

Colombia: Marches Against Assassination Attempt Highlight Government's Dwindling Popular Support 

Assessments

Bahrain

Kuwait

Oman

Qatar

United Arab Emirates

The Geopolitics of Demographics

Flatlining population growth will leave the Gulf Arab states reliant on specialized, high-tech militaries that are supplanted by foreign forces, exposing them to various long-term security vulnerabilities.

The Demographic Drag on Gulf States' Military Strength

Columns

On Geopolitics

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

South Asia

Demographic decline, driven by falling fertility rates worldwide, is likely irreversible but will also increasingly differentiate countries based on their ability to adapt through sound immigration, labor, technological and fiscal policies.

Adapting to Demographic Decline: Policy Tradeoffs and Global Divergences

Hungary

 A campaign billboard featuring a portrait of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is seen in Budapest's 3rd district on March 27, 2026.

Hungary's April 12 parliamentary elections are primed to be the country's most competitive national vote since 2010 and may remove Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party from power.

Hungary's Upcoming Elections May Unseat Orban After 16 Years

Cyber

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The second quarter will test global resilience as lingering conflicts and energy shocks converge to heighten economic uncertainty and geopolitical volatility.

2026 Second-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

While far from deterministic, demographics plays a key role in influencing a country's domestic and international politics, as well as its economic and financial development.

The Geopolitics of Demographics: Politics and Economics

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

The Geopolitics of Demographics: An Introduction

Nigeria

Cuba

Venezuela

Greenland

Iran

China

Taiwan

Norway

Ukraine

Russia

India

Pakistan

Global Trade

RANE's Top 10 Risks for 2026 highlights high-impact, low-probability risks and trends from the annual forecast presented in more extreme terms.

RANE's Top 10 Risks for 2026

U.S.-China Relations

U.S.-Iran Relations

Sudan

Syria

Yemen

Saudi-backed forces are seen on the outskirts of Yemen's Hadramawt province, where the UAE-backed secessionist Southern Transitional Council (STC) recently launched an offensive, on Jan. 3, 2026. 

The Gulf nations' growing battle for influence is straining bilateral ties and fueling proxy conflicts in places like Yemen and Sudan, though both sides will likely avoid any escalation that could harm their economies.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE Pursue Divergent Paths in a Multipolar World

As elections reshape political incentives worldwide, 2026 will see major powers recalibrate diplomacy and conflict, raising the risk of fragile deals, regional instability and sudden escalation.

2026 Annual Geopolitical Forecast: An Excerpt

Brazil

The COP30 logo at the central building is seen ahead of the COP30 Brazil Amazonia 2025 on Nov. 3, 2025 in Belem, Brazil. 

The 30th U.N. Climate Change Conference is poised to highlight the enduring impasse between developed and developing nations, particularly regarding financial responsibilities and the transition from fossil fuels.

A Breakthrough on Climate Targets is Unlikely at Brazil's COP30

An aerial photo shows the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

An aspiring middle power, Riyadh must still balance ancient imperatives with modern challenges before it reaches the kind of geopolitical security enjoyed by neighbors like Turkey, Iran and Egypt.

The Modern Geopolitics of Saudi Arabia

Kenya

Kenyan forces stand next to the coffin of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during a funeral mass at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology on October 19, 2025 in Bondo, Kenya.

The death of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga creates a significant power vacuum, fundamentally altering the political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.


What Raila Odinga's Death Means for Kenyan Politics

Social Issues

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S.: Trump Administration Orders U.S. To Pull Out of Dozens of International Entities

Chile: Kast Wins Presidential Election, Propelling the Far-Right to Power

Saudi Arabia: Alcohol Stores for Non-Muslims To Open in Dhahran, Jeddah

El Salvador: Bukele Consolidates Power as Legislative Assembly Removes Presidential Term Limits

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Limited Humanitarian Aid, Airdrops Enter Gaza

Mexico: Government to Expand Internet Access, Cut Costs with New Telecom Law

Panama: State of Emergency on Protest-Ridden Province Unlikely to End Demonstrations in the Long Term

Colombia: Marches Against Assassination Attempt Highlight Government's Dwindling Popular Support

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