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

United Kingdom

Portugal

Spain

People visit the 1627 Pilgrim Village at "Plimoth Plantation," where role-players portray pilgrims seven years after the arrival of the Mayflower, in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Economics

Politics

On Thanksgiving, the United States celebrates the Plymouth Colony. However, few know that New England's colonization was a response to major geopolitical pressures -- particularly England's struggle against the Spanish both on the Continent and in the New World.

Thanksgiving and Puritan Geopolitics in the Americas

China

Global Trade

While efforts by China and others to de-dollarize their international trade will fragment the international trade financing regime to some extent, they will do little to undermine the dollar's dominance.

The Geopolitics of Trade: De-dollarization and International Trade

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: Nov. 26, 2025

Europe

Ukraine

Russia

Smoke rises in the background as a Ukrainian flag flutters in the wind following a mass overnight Russian drone and missile attacks, in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on Nov. 19, 2025. 

Military & Security

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

European efforts to adjust core elements of Trump's plan won't shield Ukraine from his latest threat to withdraw support, and Europe's limited leverage and internal constraints mean it is unlikely to sustain Kyiv's defense alone if talks with the White House fail.

What To Make of Europe's Counterproposal to the U.S. Ukraine Peace Plan

Angola

South Africa

Japan

South Korea

Banners bearing portraits of leaders of the G20 on Nov. 20 in Johannesburg. The South African government has focused the G20 summit's agenda on issues key to African countries.

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

The Weekly Rundown: A High-Stakes British Budget, South Africa Hosts the G20

Snapshots

Ukrainian artillerymen operate a U.S.-made M-114 howitzer near Pokrovsk, Ukraine, on Oct. 16, 2025.

Trump has given Ukraine until Nov. 27 to accept a plan that would freeze the war on terms favorable to Moscow, or face U.S. aid cuts. But Kyiv is unlikely to accede, instead relying on European support to continue fighting.

Ukraine Likely To Reject Trump's Peace Plan Ultimatum, Prolonging the War

View of a Honduran national flag at La Laguna neighborhood, in the north of Tegucigalpa, on Nov. 11, 2025. 

Honduras' next government will face legislative gridlock, political instability and unrest, regardless of the victor.

The Challenges Facing Honduras' Upcoming General Election

Global Elections

Syria

Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa delivers a speech in Damascus on July 3, 2025, during the unveiling of the "New Visual Identity of the Syrian Arab Republic." 

The transitional government's decision will boost reconstruction and counter-terrorism efforts, but it will also risk alienating internal hard-liners and could eventually fuel an Islamic State resurgence if Syria's economic recovery stalls.

The Implications of Syria Joining the U.S.-Led Fight Against the Islamic State

The Pentagon viewed from above.

A strategic shift to prioritize commercially available technology over bespoke solutions aims to deliver capabilities faster, though it faces constraints and introduces risks to quality and cost.

New U.S. Defense Acquisition Reforms Offer Opportunities for Improvements, but Longstanding Constraints Remain

U.S. Naval Update Map: Nov. 20, 2025

Taiwan

Taiwanese President William Lai published an opinion piece in the Washington Post on Nov. 26 in which he proposed a $40-billion supplemental defense budget to support U.S. arms procurement and domestic arms production over eight years from 2026-2033, effectively doubling the military's procurement budget, which was $4.28 billion in 2025.

Taiwan: Proposed $40 Billion Arms Budget Could Help Seal U.S. Trade Deal

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered officials to produce a report within 30 days on whether to designate chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations, the BBC reported Nov. 24.

U.S., Global: Trump Starts Process of Designating Muslim Brotherhood Chapters as Terrorist Groups

U.S. President Donald Trump called Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Nov. 25 and briefed her on his recent call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

U.S., Japan: Trump Vows Support for Takaichi Amid Japan-China Dispute

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The United States is reportedly planning to build semi-permanent residential compounds in the Israeli-controlled part of the Gaza Strip, called "Alternative Safe Communities," that could each house around 20,000-25,000 Palestinians and include schools and hospitals, the New York Times reported Nov. 25.

Palestinian Territories: U.S. Planning To Build Temporary Housing in Israeli-Held Portion of Gaza 

Colombian armed rebel leader Calarca exchanged messages with an army general and an intelligence officer, who shared information about military operations, Noticias Caracol reported Nov. 24.

Colombia: Guerrilla Leader Contact With Army and Intelligence Officials Likely To Undermine Petro Government

The United States is reportedly prepared to expand its operations in Venezuela in the coming days, likely including covert operations, although whether U.S. President Donald Trump has made a final decision on the matter has not been confirmed, Reuters reported Nov. 23. 

U.S., Venezuela: Washington Prepared To Expand Military Operations in Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone on Nov. 24, Bloomberg reported. Trump accepted Xi's invitation for an April 2026 visit to Beijing and invited the Chinese leader for a reciprocal state visit to the United States, while Xi emphasized that Taiwan's "return to China" remains foundational Chinese policy.

U.S., China: Trump and Xi Discuss Reciprocal State Visits During Phone Call

Environment, Science & Technology

South Africa oversaw the adoption of a political declaration at the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg that acknowledges the need to increase access to climate finance and ease financing costs for developing countries, despite U.S. opposition to such a move, Reuters reported Nov. 23.

South Africa: G20 Adopts Declaration Despite U.S. Opposition  

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

Taiwan: Proposed $40 Billion Arms Budget Could Help Seal U.S. Trade Deal

U.S., Global: Trump Starts Process of Designating Muslim Brotherhood Chapters as Terrorist Groups

U.S., Japan: Trump Vows Support for Takaichi Amid Japan-China Dispute

Palestinian Territories: U.S. Planning To Build Temporary Housing in Israeli-Held Portion of Gaza

Colombia: Guerrilla Leader Contact With Army and Intelligence Officials Likely To Undermine Petro Government

U.S., Venezuela: Washington Prepared To Expand Military Operations in Venezuela

U.S., China: Trump and Xi Discuss Reciprocal State Visits During Phone Call

South Africa: G20 Adopts Declaration Despite U.S. Opposition

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