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

Syria

Europe

A shuttered hotel is seen in Aleppo, Syria, on Jan. 24, 2025. 

Economics

Military & Security

Politics

To secure sanctions relief from the West, Syria's new leaders will likely take some symbolic steps toward forming an inclusive government, but any relief may prove temporary if Damascus diverges from its democratic promises.

The Prospect of Sanctions Relief for Post-Assad Syria

Snapshots

China

Stacked shipping containers are seen at Yantian Port in Shenzhen, China, on Dec. 1, 2024. 

While a resolution on stemming flows of Chinese fentanyl to the U.S. market is possible, a comprehensive trade deal is still unlikely due to the wide scope of U.S. grievances and China's reluctance to concede on sensitive issues.

New U.S. Tariffs on China May Be Negotiable, but a Broader Trade Deal Remains Unlikely

U.S.-China Relations

The U.S. and EU flags are seen next to each other.

If Trump makes good on his threat, the EU will impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods while simultaneously pursuing talks with the White House to avoid a lengthy and economically costly trade war.

Gauging the EU's Response to Potential U.S. Tariffs

Shipping containers are seen at the Port of Montreal in Montreal, Canada, on Feb. 3, 2025. 

Sustained U.S. tariffs on Canada and Mexico would undermine North American economic growth and integration, and Trump's apparent willingness to accept these costs raises the risk of his other large tariff proposals being implemented.

The High Stakes of U.S. Tariffs on North American Trade

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

Israel

United Kingdom

Trucks wait to enter United States on Nov. 26, 2024, at the Otay crossing port in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

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

The Weekly Rundown: Trump's Tariffs, Congo Braces for More Fighting in the East

Columns

On Geopolitics

Turkey

Russia

Syria’s de-facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa addresses a crowd at a mosque in Damascus on Dec. 8, 2024.

While Syrians will drive their country's destiny, external influence from regional and global powers could determine what kind of government replaces the deposed Assad regime.

Syria's Future: Islamist Republic, Turkish Client State, or Jihadist Stronghold?

Indonesia

Japan

Laos

Malaysia

Philippines

Vietnam

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hold a joint press conference on Jan. 10, 2025.

Japan is intensifying its diplomatic and security engagement in Southeast Asia through defense, trade and infrastructure agreements to counterbalance China and enhance regional stability.

Ishiba Strengthens Japan's Role in Southeast Asia With Defense and Trade Deals

Egypt

Jordan

Palestinian Territories

Saudi Arabia

Displaced Palestinians return to their homes in the Shijaiyah neighborhood, Gaza City, on Jan. 28, 2025, following the Hamas-Israel ceasefire.

Egypt and Jordan will reject Trump's current proposal to resettle over a million Palestinians from Gaza to their territories due to fears of stoking domestic unrest, but they will likely permit smaller, gradual resettlements via illegal smuggling routes.

Trump Wants Egypt and Jordan To Take in Palestinians From Gaza. Will They Do It?

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: Jan. 30, 2025

Low savings and investment, along with an increasingly uncertain fiscal outlook and increasing debt, make it unlikely that Brazil will succeed in maintaining its current growth momentum.

Brazil’s Economic Growth Is Set To Face Headwinds

Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration was looking to trade continued U.S. military support to Ukraine for "rare earths and other things," the Financial Times reported on Feb. 4.

Ukraine, U.S., Russia: Trump Wants Ukrainian Minerals in Return for U.S. Military Support

India

Environment, Science & Technology

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United States on Feb. 12 for a two-day trip, during which he is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on Feb. 13, The Hindu reported on Feb. 4.

India: Modi To Speak With Trump During Two-Day U.S. Visit

U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers and Philippine FA-50 fighter jets conducted a joint air patrol and air-intercept drills over the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in the first such exercise of Donald Trump's U.S. presidential administration, AP reported on Feb. 4.

Philippines, U.S.: Joint Air Patrol Over Scarborough Shoal

Fulfilling one of his campaign promises, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order to create a sovereign wealth fund, asking the Treasury and Commerce departments to recommend "funding mechanisms, investment strategies, fund structure, and a governance model" within 90 days, Reuters reported on Feb. 4.

U.S.: Trump Administration Issues Executive Order To Establish Sovereign Wealth Fund

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele agreed to accept in Salvadoran prisons U.S. nationals and legal residents currently arrested in the United States, as well as deportees of any nationality, La Jornada reported on Feb. 3.

U.S., El Salvador: Bukele To Use Security and Migration Policies To Sustain Close Ties With U.S.

Somalia

United Arab Emirates

U.S. airstrikes on Feb. 1 in the Bari region of Somalia's Puntland state targeted underground caves believed to be hideouts for Abdulkadir Mumin, the leader of Islamic State Somalia Province, and senior commander Abdirahman Fahiye, Garowe Online reported on Feb. 3. 

Somalia: U.S. and UAE Carry Out Airstrikes Against Islamic State Somalia Province

South Africa

U.S. President Donald Trump accused the South African government of confiscating land and "treating a certain class of people VERY BADLY," adding that he would cut U.S. funding to South Africa until an investigation on the matter was completed, Reuters reported on Feb. 3.

South Africa, U.S.: Trump Vows To 'Cut Funding' Over Expropriation Bill

U.S. President Donald Trump's crisis negotiator, Richard Grenell, met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela on Jan. 31, after which Venezuelan authorities released six detained U.S. nationals and agreed to receive deported undocumented Venezuelan migrants from the United States, the Financial Times reported on Feb. 1.

Venezuela: Government Frees U.S. Prisoners, Agrees To Receive Deportees

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

Ukraine, U.S., Russia: Trump Wants Ukrainian Minerals in Return for U.S. Military Support

India: Modi To Speak With Trump During Two-Day U.S. Visit

Philippines, U.S.: Joint Air Patrol Over Scarborough Shoal

U.S.: Trump Administration Issues Executive Order To Establish Sovereign Wealth Fund

U.S., El Salvador: Bukele To Use Security and Migration Policies To Sustain Close Ties With U.S.

Somalia: U.S. and UAE Carry Out Airstrikes Against Islamic State Somalia Province

South Africa, U.S.: Trump Vows To 'Cut Funding' Over Expropriation Bill

Venezuela: Government Frees U.S. Prisoners, Agrees To Receive Deportees

Forecasts

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