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

Israel

People gather during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 8, 2026. 

Military & Security

Politics

The severity of Iran's crackdown on protesters makes it highly likely that Trump will authorize some form of action (e.g., sanctions, cyberattacks or military strikes), with Tehran likely to respond proportionally unless the regime's survival is threatened.

The Risks and Implications of a U.S. Attack Against Iran

U.S.-Iran Relations

Europe

The flag of Greenland, known locally as "Erfalasorput," flies next to the Church of Our Saviour on March 30, 2025, in Nuuk, Greenland. 

Economics

The United States' aim to acquire Greenland risks triggering a NATO crisis if U.S. and European negotiators fail to reach a settlement.

Europe Weighs Responses to U.S. Pressure Over Greenland

Iraq

Lebanon

Palestinian Territories

Yemen

A stock image shows the silhouettes of soldiers.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Emboldened by its recent capture of Venezuela's Maduro, the White House will likely seek to kill and potentially abduct more Middle Eastern extremists in the coming year, but pursuing high-profile targets like Iranian leaders will carry significant risks.

Potential Targets for U.S. Assassination and Abduction Operations in the Middle East

Nigeria

China

Taiwan

Norway

Ukraine

Russia

India

Pakistan

Cyber

Environment, Science & Technology

Global Trade

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Social Issues

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

Benin

Uganda

Denmark

The Greenlandic flag on Jan. 8, 2026, on the roof of Tivoli Castle in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Elections in Uganda and Benin, Canada's Carney Goes to China

Columns

On Security

U.S. President Donald Trump, alongside (left to right) Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, speaks to the press following U.S. military actions in Venezuela, at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Jan. 3, 2026.

While Trump routinely portrays himself as unpredictable, his extensive use of U.S. military force abroad over the past year offers insight into the likely direction of his foreign policy for the remainder of his term.


Lessons From Trump’s Use of Force Abroad in His First Year Back in Office

Snapshots

Syria

Israeli troops patrol the border fence with Syria near the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights on July 23, 2025. 

While the new U.S.-backed intelligence-sharing agreement will help temporarily ease cross-border tensions, unresolved security issues and structural constraints undermine the prospects for deeper normalization.

Syria-Israel Deal Paves Way for Broader Security Coordination, but Constraints Remain

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: Jan. 8, 2026

Activists hold Iranian flags in support of the ongoing protests in Iran during a rally in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 3, 2026.

The demonstrations could endure for several more weeks or months before they are ultimately suppressed, opening the door to risky Israeli and/or U.S. military or covert action against Iranian senior leadership amid the turmoil.

Protests in Iran Provide a Window for U.S. and/or Israeli Intervention

A 3D rendering of the Canadian, U.S. and Mexican flags.

Energy

The White House is expected to utilize threats of scrapping the trilateral pact in favor of bilateral agreements as a high-stakes negotiating tactic, creating a period of intense business uncertainty and market volatility.

The Outlook for USMCA Renegotiation in 2026

Japan

South Korea

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Nara, Takaichi's home city, where they discussed economic security cooperation, including on critical mineral supply chains, Yonhap News Agency reported on Jan. 13.

South Korea, Japan: Lee and Takaichi Seek Cooperation, Avoid Historical Debates

Taiwan's Executive Yuan's Office of Trade Negotiations announced on Jan. 13 that Taiwan and the United States had broadly agreed on a trade deal and would soon hold a final meeting to conclude talks.

U.S., Taiwan: Trade Deal Impending After Lengthy Trade Talks

Danish wind developer Orsted will be allowed to resume construction on its Revolution Wind project off the coast of Rhode Island after a federal judge on Jan. 12 issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Department of the Interior's December 2025 suspension of Orsted's lease for the project and an associated stop-work order on the project, the Financial Times reported on Jan. 13.

U.S.: Federal Judge Allows Orsted To Resume Construction on Revolution Wind Project

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a Jan. 13 Truth Social post that any country "doing business" with Iran would face a 25% tariff when doing "any and all business" with the United States.

U.S., Iran: Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on Countries Doing Business With Iran

Egypt

Jordan

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was designating three chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, naming the chapters in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, the New York Post reported on Jan. 13.

U.S., MENA: Washington Labels Local Muslim Brotherhood Chapters as SDGTs

Bolivia

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz's government came to an agreement with protesting unions and activists to repeal Decree 5503, which declared an economic emergency, while maintaining the measures related to the removal of the fuel subsidy, DW reported on Jan. 11.

Bolivia: Government To Repeal Controversial Economic Decree, With Subsidy Cuts Remaining

U.S. prosecutors launched a criminal probe into the Federal Reserve related to the renovation of the Fed's D.C. headquarters in an apparent attempt to weaken the Fed's independence, the Financial Times reported on Jan. 12.

U.S.: Prosecutors Launch Criminal Investigation Into Powell

On Jan. 13, U.S. President Donald Trump will be briefed on kinetic and non-kinetic options -- including targeted strikes, cyberattacks, information operations and, least escalatory, announcing military movements like carrier deployments -- regarding a response to Iran's ongoing crackdown on protesters, ABC News reported on Jan. 12.

Iran, U.S.: Trump To Be Briefed on Iran Options on Jan. 13

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

South Korea, Japan: Lee and Takaichi Seek Cooperation, Avoid Historical Debates

U.S., Taiwan: Trade Deal Impending After Lengthy Trade Talks

U.S.: Federal Judge Allows Orsted To Resume Construction on Revolution Wind Project

U.S., Iran: Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on Countries Doing Business With Iran

U.S., MENA: Washington Labels Local Muslim Brotherhood Chapters as SDGTs

Bolivia: Government To Repeal Controversial Economic Decree, With Subsidy Cuts Remaining

U.S.: Prosecutors Launch Criminal Investigation Into Powell

Iran, U.S.: Trump To Be Briefed on Iran Options on Jan. 13

Forecasts

ANALYSES

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