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

Cambodia

Thailand

Ukraine

Russia

A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II on Dec. 15 taxis at Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico.

Military & Security

Politics

Russia-Ukraine 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: French Budget Deadlock, U.S.-Russia Talks in Miami

Israel

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

YemenYemenis rally to show their support for the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council on Dec. 14, 2025.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Escalating tensions and potential violence between the Southern Transitional Council and Saudi-backed forces create security vacuums that Houthi rebels will likely exploit.



Yemen's Anti-Houthi Bloc Is Fracturing

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: Dec. 18, 2025

Sub-Saharan Africa

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

South Asia

A container ship arrives Oct. 10 at the Port of Oakland, California. In 2026, political calculations among major global players will significantly shape international affairs.

Cyber

Economics

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

In 2026, political calculations among major global players will significantly shape international affairs.

2026 Annual Forecast: A Global Overview

A stock photo shows banknotes of the Russian ruble. 

The European Union using immobilized Russian assets to fund financial support for Ukraine will probably not have major reputational or financial consequences for the eurozone.


Using Frozen Russian Assets To Fund Ukraine Unlikely To Majorly Impact the Euro

South Africa

France

The Ukrainian flag is projected on the facade of Berlaymont, the European Commission headquarters, in Brussels on Nov. 18 to commemorate the Nov. 18, 2024, Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Weekly Rundown: A European Council Decision on Ukraine Financing, South Africa Braces for Commission Findings

Iran

Lebanon

Palestinian Territories

Israeli air defence systems are activated to intercept Iranian missiles over the Israeli city of Tel Aviv amid a fresh barrage of Iranian rockets on June 16, 2025.

If effective, the laser air defense system will significantly reduce the cost of intercepting short-range aerial threats and bolster Israel's multilayered protection against aerial attacks.


The Role of Iron Beam in Israel's Evolving Defense Architecture

U.S. Naval Update Map: Dec. 11, 2025

Jordanian police close the entrance of a Muslim Brotherhood headquarters on April 23, 2025, in Amman, Jordan.

While the White House has initiated a review process to label the Muslim Brotherhood a Foreign Terrorist Organization, it is unlikely to result in a comprehensive ban on the group.

U.S. Unlikely To Broadly Designate Muslim Brotherhood as a Terrorist Organization

China

Philippines

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address before lawmakers at the House of Representatives on July 22, 2024 in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. 

A widespread corruption scandal is threatening to cause political instability in the Philippines, which could lead to policy paralysis and weaken the Philippines' posture against China.

A Corruption Scandal Threatens Political Crisis in the Philippines

Honduran electoral authorities announced that conservative National Party candidate Nasry Asfura won the Nov. 30 presidential election with 40.3% of the vote, Reuters reported on Dec. 24. 

Honduras: Conservative Candidate Asfura Confirmed as President-Elect

Somalia

Egypt

Turkey

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a joint declaration with Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi that Israel recognized Somaliland's sovereignty as an independent state, the first country in the world to recognize the breakaway region, The Jerusalem Post reported on Dec. 26.

Israel, Somalia: Israel Recognizes Somaliland's Sovereignty

North Korea

South Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a factory working on production of the country's first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, with photos showing the hull -- often one of the last stages of submarine construction -- fully intact, North Korean state media KCNA reported on Dec. 25.

North Korea: Kim Unveils Nuclear-Armed Submarine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Dec. 28 to discuss the most sensitive elements of Washington's 20-point peace framework for Russia and Ukraine, including territorial questions and security guarantees for Ukraine, Reuters reported Dec. 26.

U.S., Ukraine: Zelensky To Meet Trump for Talks on U.S. Peace Framework

Nigeria

The United States carried out strikes in Nigeria's Sokoto state, killing multiple members of the Islamic State in coordination with Nigerian authorities, United States Africa Command said in a press release on Dec. 25. 

U.S.: Washington Carries Out Strikes in Northwestern Nigeria Targeting Islamic State

China said it will take "corresponding measures" in response to U.S. plans to raise tariffs on Chinese semiconductor imports from June 23, 2027, following the conclusion of a yearlong Section 301 probe into Beijing's chip policies, the South China Morning Post reported Dec. 24.

China: Beijing Threatens Retaliation Over Delayed U.S. Semiconductor Tariffs

U.S.-China Relations

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the shipment of 80,000 barrels of oil to Cuba, stating that it occurred pursuant to historic bilateral agreements and for humanitarian reasons, Efe reported Dec. 22.

Cuba: Mexico Confirms Oil Shipments Amid U.S. Blockade of Venezuela

Germany

The European Commission and the governments of France and Germany on Dec. 24 strongly condemned the Dec. 23 U.S. decision to impose visa sanctions on former European Commissioner Thierry Breton and four other Europeans, including leaders of organizations involved in digital regulation and countering online hate and misinformation.

EU: U.S. Sanctions Former EU Commissioner, Four Others Linked to Digital Regulation

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

Honduras: Conservative Candidate Asfura Confirmed as President-Elect

Israel, Somalia: Israel Recognizes Somaliland's Sovereignty

North Korea: Kim Unveils Nuclear-Armed Submarine

U.S., Ukraine: Zelensky To Meet Trump for Talks on U.S. Peace Framework

U.S.: Washington Carries Out Strikes in Northwestern Nigeria Targeting Islamic State

China: Beijing Threatens Retaliation Over Delayed U.S. Semiconductor Tariffs

Cuba: Mexico Confirms Oil Shipments Amid U.S. Blockade of Venezuela

EU: U.S. Sanctions Former EU Commissioner, Four Others Linked to Digital Regulation

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