The Americas stretch from the Arctic Circle in Canada to the southern tip of Chile. This geographically, culturally and politically diverse region is home to the United States, a nation whose geography helped it become the foremost economic and military power in the world &mdash; an ascendance aided in part by bringing Mexico and Canada into its sphere of influence. Farther south, the nations of South America are like islands, separated by vast spaces of impenetrable mountains, rivers and jungles. Try though these countries may to integrate more closely, deeper ties such as those that characterize North America will prove elusive.

This geographically, culturally and politically diverse region is home to the United States, a nation whose geography helped it become the foremost economic and military power in the world

Americas

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Barbados

Belize

Brazil

Canada

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Cuba

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

El Salvador

Grenada

Guatemala

Guyana

Haiti

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Suriname

Bahamas

Trinidad and Tobago

United States

Uruguay

Venezuela

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Greenland

Jamaica

Venezuela's Unraveling

Colombian Peace Process

Security Challenges in Latin America

Tracking U.S. Naval Power

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

The Importance of Mexico

North America Unrivaled

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

Crossing Borders

Assessments

China

Spain

Russia

Politics

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

The Weekly Rundown: Putin Goes to China, New U.S. Tariffs on China

U.S.-China Relations

Japan

North Korea

South Korea

Natsumi Sakai (C) of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan poses with others after receiving news that she won the by-election for the Tokyo No. 15 district seat for the lower house, in Tokyo, Japan, on April 28, 2024.

Economics

Military & Security

Recent by-elections reveal that a slush fund scandal is continuing to take its toll on Japan's ruling party, but Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to remain in power, for now.

By-Election Losses Shake Japan's Ruling Party, but Kishida Stays the Course

Energy

Mexico's June 2 presidential election will pit former Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum from the ruling Morena party against leading opposition candidate Xochitl Galvez.

2024 Elections: Mexico

This map shows the approximate locations of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups and Amphibious Ready Groups.

U.S. Naval Update Map: May 9, 2024

Snapshots

Colombian President Gustavo Petro participates in a march for International Workers Day in Bogota, Colombia, on May 1, 2024. 

The ongoing scandals and growing public dissatisfaction with the government will prolong political volatility and policy uncertainty in Colombia, while increasing the risk of social unrest.

What Another Corruption Scandal Means for Colombia's Fragile Government

Social Issues

For the first time in a U.S. presidential election, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policy will become a prominent point of contention between the two candidates and their parties. 

The Impact of the U.S. Presidential Election on Corporate ESG Programs

Chad

France

Serbia

Hungary

Panamanian presidential candidate Jose Raul Mulino on May 1, 2024, in Panama City. Panamanians will vote May 5 to select their next president and all 71 members of the National Assembly.

The Weekly Rundown: Panama Holds General Elections, Xi Visits Europe

Iran

Israel

Saudi Arabia

Yemen

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 29 at a Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-U.S. Strategic Partnership in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Riyadh will continue to progressively advance diplomatic relations with Israel and deepen defense ties with the United States, while maintaining its cautious outreach to Iran.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Riyadh will continue to progressively advance diplomatic relations with Israel and deepen defense ties with the United States, while maintaining its cautious outreach to Iran.

Assessing Saudi Arabia's Foreign Policy During the Israel-Hamas War and Beyond

A Haitian police officer controls the area around the country's National Palace in Port-au-Prince on May 1, 2024.

The reversal in the transitional council's appointment of a new prime minister highlights political tensions within the governing body, indicating risks of further political instability and violence in the coming months.

Disputes Over a Prime Minister Appointment Bode Ill for Haiti's Stability

Environment, Science & Technology

Perhaps the one area where the President and former President broadly agree is the national security implications of technology policy: Biden has maintained and expanded many of Trump's first-term restrictions on China's access to sophisticated American technology, and both share a revitalized interest in "reshoring" high-tech manufacturing. While a second Biden administration would put a greater emphasis on working in concert with America's allies on technology policy and would be more open to "friendshoring" key tech production, a second Trump term would be more likely to "go it alone" and would be far more transactional with friend and foe alike.

Trump vs. Biden: The Implications for U.S. Tech Regulation

Malaysia

Malaysia informed a visiting U.S. Treasury Department delegation that it will not abide by unilateral U.S. sanctions against transshipments of Iranian oil, BenarNews reported on May 10.

Malaysia, U.S., Iran: Kuala Lumpur Refuses Washington's Request To Abide by Iran Sanctions

U.S.-Iran Relations

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposed a new process that would disqualify individuals seeking asylum earlier in the asylum request process, allowing authorities to expel migrants quickly if they have been convicted of dangerous crimes, according to a May 9 statement. 

U.S.: Government Announces New Process To Expedite Expulsion of Some Asylum Seekers

The U.S. Biden administration is scheduled to announce changes to Sec. 301 tariffs on China on May 14, including new tariffs on key industries such as electric vehicles, battery technologies and solar cells, Bloomberg reported on May 9.

China, U.S.: Washington To Place New Tariffs on China as Soon as May 14

Haiti's transitional presidential council announced on May 8 that instead of having council member Edgard Leblanc Fils serve indefinitely as its president, the council will operate under a rotating presidency that switches between four council members every five months, AP reported on May 9.

Haiti: Transitional Presidential Council Adjusts Operating Policies To Avert Crisis

Palestinian Territories

Israeli leaders pushed back against U.S. threats to cut off arms exports after U.S. President Joe Biden said he would cut off certain arms exports to Israel if the Israel Defense Forces began a major offensive in Gaza's southern city of Rafah that reached population centers, The Times of Israel reported on May 9.

U.S., Israel: Israeli Leaders Criticize Biden's Threat To Cut Off Arms Exports

Vietnam

The U.S. Commerce Department will hear testimony on whether to reclassify Vietnam as a "market economy" from its current designation as a "non-market economy with heavy state influence," Reuters reported on May 8.

Vietnam, U.S.: Commerce Department to Review Vietnam’s ‘Non-Market Economy’ Status 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced during the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection ministerial meeting in Guatemala City, Guatemala, that the United States will provide $578 million in aid to Latin American countries to help combat surging regional migration, according to a State Department fact sheet issued on May 7. 

U.S., Latin America: U.S. Announces $578M in Aid To Combat Migration

The United States paused a shipment of around 3,000 heavy bombs to Israel over concern that Israel might use them in the country's offensive in Gaza's southern city of Rafah, ABC News reported on May 8, citing a Pentagon official.

U.S., Israel: U.S. Holds Up Arms Delivery Over Israel's Rafah Offensive

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

Malaysia, U.S., Iran: Kuala Lumpur Refuses Washington's Request To Abide by Iran Sanctions

U.S.: Government Announces New Process To Expedite Expulsion of Some Asylum Seekers

China, U.S.: Washington To Place New Tariffs on China as Soon as May 14

Haiti: Transitional Presidential Council Adjusts Operating Policies To Avert Crisis

U.S., Israel: Israeli Leaders Criticize Biden's Threat To Cut Off Arms Exports

Vietnam, U.S.: Commerce Department to Review Vietnam’s ‘Non-Market Economy’ Status

U.S., Latin America: U.S. Announces $578M in Aid To Combat Migration

U.S., Israel: U.S. Holds Up Arms Delivery Over Israel's Rafah Offensive

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