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

Iran

Japan

Thailand

Bangladesh

Campaign posters Feb. 6 of candidates running in the upcoming Japanese House of Representatives election, in Inagi, Tokyo prefecture.

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: Japan Holds Snap Elections, U.S. Weighs Options After Iran Talks

U.S.-Iran Relations

Snapshots

United Arab Emirates

Ukraine

Russia

Emirati flags on Feb. 4 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. On Feb. 4-5, delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the United States held a second round of trilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The talks are unlikely to produce a near-term settlement, as Russia will continue to press its territorial demands while using diplomacy to manage sanctions pressure and build leverage ahead of a spring-summer offensive.

The Limits of Russia-Ukraine-U.S. Talks

China

Russian soldiers wear chemical protection suits as they stand next to a military fueler on the base of a prime mover of Russian Topol intercontinental ballistic missile during a training session at the Serpukhov's military missile forces research institute some 100km outside Moscow on April 6, 2010.

Over time, this will intensify an ongoing buildup of nuclear capabilities across the globe and make crises involving nuclear powers more unpredictable and prone to miscalculations. 


Implications of the Last Major U.S.-Russian Nuclear Arms Control Agreement's Expiration

U.S.-China Relations

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: Feb. 5, 2026

India

A freight train on Aug. 26, 2025, in Ajmer India.

Economics

A U.S.-India trade deal will bring some relief to Indian exporters, but ambiguities over its scope, implementation timeline and myriad other flashpoints will risk undermining it.

An India-U.S. Trade Deal Will Face Ongoing Hurdles

A man walks past a mural painted on the outer walls of the former U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Despite recent momentum toward restarting talks, a deal will likely remain elusive due to the U.S.'s maximalist demands and Iran's red lines, sustaining the risk of U.S. (and likely Israeli) military action in the coming weeks. 

Can New U.S.-Iran Talks Avert a Greater Conflict?

Iranian newspapers one of them (R) with a headline in Persian reading "Iran is ready for a big response," Jan. 27 in Tehran in Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a range of military options against Iran.

The Weekly Rundown: The U.S. and Colombian Presidents Meet, The Threat of U.S. Strikes on Iran

Israel

Syria

A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces stands on a road between the Syrian villages of Safa and Tell Brak on Jan. 24, 2026.

The government's deal with the Kurdish-led SDF will reduce sectarian tensions, accelerate a U.S. withdrawal and open space for a Syria-Israel security pact, though risks from local violence and the Islamic State remain.

What a Kurdish Integration Deal Means for Syria's Stability

U.S. Naval Update Map: Jan. 29, 2026

The candidates running in Costa Rica's 2026 presidential election participate in a debate at the Supreme Electoral Tribunal in San Jose, Costa Rica, on Jan. 11, 2026. 

Although the president cannot run for reelection, his hand-picked successor will likely win the vote, keeping the right wing at the helm.

Costa Rica's Upcoming Election Will Likely Yield Policy Continuity

Eurasia

Kazakhstan

The Central Asia-United States business forum, or B5+1, concluded in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Feb. 5, bringing together government officials and private sector representatives to advance economic cooperation across the region, Eurasianet reported Feb. 6.

Central Asia, U.S.: Washington Presses Economic Outreach at B5+1 Forum

Taiwan

Taiwan's defense ministry said it will ask the United States to extend deadlines for signing several arms purchase agreements because parliament has still not approved the required funding, Reuters reports Feb. 6.

Taiwan, U.S.: Taipei Seeks Extension for U.S. Arms Deal

The United States and Argentina sealed a trade and investment deal that includes the elimination of hundreds of tariffs on each other's goods, Clarin reported Feb. 5.

U.S., Argentina: Countries Reach Trade And Investment Deal

Oman

Indirect discussions between the United States and Iran took place Feb. 6 in Oman, with the two sides agreeing to follow-on talks in Oman, CNN reported.

Iran, U.S.: Indirect Discussions in Oman Conclude, Delegations Agree on More Talks

Cyber

Environment, Science & Technology

The European Commission issued a preliminary ruling Feb. 6 that found that TikTok's infinite scroll, autoplay features and recommendation algorithm constituted an "addictive design," and that it must make changes to its core features or face fines up to 6% of its annual global revenue, The New York Times reported.

EU: Regulators Say TikTok's 'Addictive Design' Violates Online Safety Laws

Delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the United States concluded a second round of U.S.-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi, agreeing that each side would release 157 prisoners of war, Reuters reported on Feb. 5.

Russia, Ukraine, U.S.: Abu Dhabi Talks End With POW Swap, Agreement to Continue Negotiations 

Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said Feb. 5 that the United States' reduced tariff rate of 18% on Indian goods will come into effect after the two sides issue a joint statement in the next four to five days, and that the broader, formal trade deal "will take 30-45 days and will be signed in March," Reuters reported.

U.S., India: India's Trade Minister Says U.S. Trade Deal Signing Expected in March

The U.S. embassy in Haiti issued a statement on Feb. 4 declaring its support for Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime's leadership "in building a strong, prosperous, and free Haiti," ahead of the end of the Transitional Presidential Council's mandate on Feb. 7.

Haiti: U.S. Backs Prime Minister Amid Dispute Over Political Transition

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

Central Asia, U.S.: Washington Presses Economic Outreach at B5+1 Forum

Taiwan, U.S.: Taipei Seeks Extension for U.S. Arms Deal

U.S., Argentina: Countries Reach Trade And Investment Deal

Iran, U.S.: Indirect Discussions in Oman Conclude, Delegations Agree on More Talks

EU: Regulators Say TikTok's 'Addictive Design' Violates Online Safety Laws

Russia, Ukraine, U.S.: Abu Dhabi Talks End With POW Swap, Agreement to Continue Negotiations

U.S., India: India's Trade Minister Says U.S. Trade Deal Signing Expected in March

Haiti: U.S. Backs Prime Minister Amid Dispute Over Political Transition

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