<p>To the west of Eurasia lays Europe, a region predisposed to division. It is surrounded on nearly all sides by islands and peninsulas that make it difficult for Europe to cohere. The northern half of the continent, moreover, sits on a plain whose short, meandering rivers tend to empower countries without forcing them to work with others. The southern half is situated on more mountainous terrain that has historically impeded the creation of strong, unified economies. As a result, Europe is a continent riven by pockets of distinct cultures whose differences are all too often irreconcilable.</p>

Europe is a continent riven by pockets of distinct cultures whose differences are all too often irreconcilable.

Europe

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Beyond Quantitative Easing

The Ukraine Conflict

The Politics of Pipelines

EU: Regional Blocs

Divided EU Foreign Policies

Brexit

The Fate of the Eurozone

Banking

Crossing Borders

Globalization

European Disintegration

Echoes of the Cold War

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

Assessments

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Taiwan

Taiwanese President-elect William Lai (C) on Jan. 13 in Taipei, Taiwan. Lai will officially begin his four-year presidency May 20.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Military & Security

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: Kenya's President Visits Washington, Lai Inaugurated in Taiwan

Snapshots

The four leaders of the parties that form the new Dutch government,  Geert Wilders, Dilan Yesilgoz, Caroline van der Plas and Pieter Omtzigt, (L-R) on May 16 in The Hague.

While some elements of the new Dutch ruling coalition's agreement, such as a tightening of migration policies and environmental measures, will likely cause friction with the European Union and the Dutch business community, the far right's need to collaborate with mainstream coalition partners has somewhat moderated the new government's agenda.

Building a New Government Moderates the Dutch Far Right

Global Elections

PSC candidate Salvador Illa waves following Catalonia's regional elections May 12 in the Spanish city of Barcelona. While the result of Catalonia's regional election reduces the risk of another push for independence in the short to medium term, it also increases uncertainty regarding the stability of the Spanish central government and its ability to pass legislation.

While the result of Catalonia's regional election reduces the risk of another push for independence in the short to medium term, it also increases uncertainty regarding the stability of the Spanish central government and its ability to pass legislation.

A Socialist Win in Catalonia Reflects a Diminished Separatist Drive

Brazil

Chile

China

Russia

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

U.S.-China Relations

Ballots are counted during local elections in Thornaby, England, on May 3, 2024. 

The outcome of the votes in England and Wales confirms the ruling Conservative Party will likely perform poorly in the general election, but also that the opposition Labour Party will face competition from smaller parties.

What To Make of the Local U.K. Election Results

Chad

Panama

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

Chinese President Xi Jinping is seen between the Chinese and French national flags in Beijing on Jan. 9, 2018. 

Economics

During the rare visit, the Chinese president will seek to ease EU trade tensions and secure Beijing's economic presence and influence in Central and Eastern Europe.

What To Expect During Xi's Trip to Europe

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) reservoirs are seen at the Yamal LNG plant in the port of Sabetta, located on the Yamal Peninsula in northwest Siberia, Russia.

Energy

The restrictions would further complicate Russia's efforts to increase LNG production, while having only a limited impact on the EU's natural gas supplies.

The Implications of the EU's Proposed Sanctions on Russian LNG

Columns

On Geopolitics

Australia

Fiji

Indonesia

Japan

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North Korea

Philippines

Singapore

South Korea

Vietnam

India

A 3D rendering of Southeast Asia from space at night with city lights showing Southeast Asian cities in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

Environment, Science & Technology

In the Asia-Pacific, countries are increasingly pursuing complex networks of political, economic and defense ties as part of a burgeoning "multi-alignment" strategy that seeks to avoid U.S.-China strategic competition.

Examining 'Multi-Alignment' in the Asia-Pacific

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Argentina

Bolivia

Peru

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his wife, Begona Gomez, arrive Oct. 5, 2023, at the Carlos V Palace at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. Sanchez is expected to make an announcement about his political future on April 29 following his surprise decision April 25 to suspend public appearances after a court in Madrid announced an investigation into his wife for alleged influence-peddling and corruption.

The Weekly Rundown: South American Foreign Ministers Visit China, the Spanish Premier Announces His Political Future

France's Interior Ministry is dispatching 1,000 more police officers to the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia following four days of consecutive riots, Le Figaro reported on May 17.

France: Authorities Dispatch 1,000 More Police Officers to New Caledonia  

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico remains in serious but stable condition after he was shot and gravely injured on May 15 following a government meeting in the town of Handlova, about 150 kilometers (about 93 miles) northeast of the country's capital Bratislava, Reuters reported on May 16.

Slovakia: Prime Minister in Serious but Stable Condition After Assassination Attempt

EU member states gave their final approval to a reform of the bloc's migration and asylum policies, a press release from the European Council showed on May 14.

EU: Member States Approve New Asylum and Migration Rules

The European Commission will start a formal review of the bloc’s semiconductor supply chain to assess reliance on Chinese imports for so-called legacy chips, which are mature and low-end semiconductors (at or above 28 nanometers) used in all sorts of products, from household appliances to cars and medical devices, Politico reported on May 15. 

EU, China: Brussels To Launch Formal Review of China's Role in Legacy Chip Supply Chains

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and injured on May 15 as he greeted people following a government meeting in the town of Handlova, about 150 km (about 93 miles) northeast of the country's capital Bratislava, AP reported shortly after the incident. 

Slovakia: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico Shot and Seriously Injured in Assassination Attempt

Mozambique

The European Council extended the mandate of its military training mission in Mozambique until June 30, 2026, allocating over 14 million euros ($15.15 million) for this period, Club of Mozambique reported on May 14.

Mozambique: EU Training Mission Extension Clears Path for Transition to Military Assistance Mission

Riots broke out in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, including gun fire directed at security personnel, over a proposed election law that would allow French residents who have lived on the island for 10 years to vote in local elections, France 24 reported on May 14.

New Caledonia: Violent Riots Rock French Pacific Territory

The European Commission will close investigations under its Foreign Subsidies Regulation into Chinese solar panel manufacturers bidding in a public procurement procedure for the construction of a 110 megawatt solar park in Romania after the companies involved withdrew from the tender, according to a statement from Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton published on May 13.

EU, China: Brussels Closes Anti-Subsidy Probe as Firms Withdraw Bids in Procurement

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

France: Authorities Dispatch 1,000 More Police Officers to New Caledonia

Slovakia: Prime Minister in Serious but Stable Condition After Assassination Attempt

EU: Member States Approve New Asylum and Migration Rules

EU, China: Brussels To Launch Formal Review of China's Role in Legacy Chip Supply Chains

Slovakia: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico Shot and Seriously Injured in Assassination Attempt

Mozambique: EU Training Mission Extension Clears Path for Transition to Military Assistance Mission

New Caledonia: Violent Riots Rock French Pacific Territory

EU, China: Brussels Closes Anti-Subsidy Probe as Firms Withdraw Bids in Procurement

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