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A general view shows a Knesset session in Jerusalem, Israel, on March 20, 2023. 

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

The Weekly Rundown: The U.K. and Paraguay Hold Elections, Israel's Knesset Resumes

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A member of the airport police stands guard as a forklift unloads a container full of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine from a plane in Ezeiza, Argentina, on Jan. 16, 2021. 

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The delays will likely lead to further social unrest, economic strain and anti-government sentiment in countries across the region. 


Russia Delays Vaccine Shipments, Stalling Latin America’s Inoculation Efforts

COVID-19

Guidance

Uruguay

The national flag of Argentina flies above Avenida 9 de Julio, one of the major arteries of Buenos Aires, on Nov. 28, 2018. 

While it has yet to fully abandon the South American trade bloc, Argentina's withdrawal from current negotiations will still cripple Mercosur's ability to ink future deals.

By Exiting Trade Talks, Argentina Risks Sealing Mercosur's Fate

South America: Split Decisions on Trade

2020 Second-Quarter Forecast

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

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.

2020 Annual Forecast

2019 Fourth-Quarter Forecast

Europe

Both blocs will require unanimous consent for ratification. But securing yes votes from all member states will be a tall order.

EU, Mercosur: Why a Trade Deal Struck After 20 Years of Talks May Never Take Force

EU: Regional Blocs

Divided EU Foreign Policies

2019 Third-Quarter Forecast

Argentine President Mauricio Macri, left, is pictured with his Brazilian counterpart, Jair Bolsonaro.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's efforts to lift trade restrictions could fall short of what he originally envisioned.

Argentine Elections Could Narrow Brazil's Mercosur Reform Path

2019 Second-Quarter Forecast

2019 Annual Forecast

Workers assemble cars at the Nissan plant in Resende, Brazil, during February 2015. Most major automakers have factories in Brazil and Argentina.

Globalization

The Global Impact of Trump's Auto Tariffs

The South American trade bloc, known for its big import fees, has been slowly moving to open up its automotive sector.

For Mercosur, High Auto Tariffs Are All Part of the Game

Supply Chains

China

Taiwan

The conservative Colorado Party's candidate, Santiago Pena, won Paraguay's presidential election by a wide margin with 42.7% of the vote, ABC News reported on April 30.

Paraguay: Conservative Wins Presidency, Taiwan Alliance Likely Maintained

The Dec. 5-6 meeting of presidents whose countries are part of the South American Mercosur trade bloc failed to agree to a joint declaration after Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou and Argentine President Alberto Fernandez spoke about Uruguay's push to negotiate trade deals to open the country's economy unilaterally, El Observador reported Dec. 6.

Uruguay: In Absence of Mercosur Joint Declaration, Uruguay Likely to Continue Pursuing Separate Trade Deals

Uruguay announced it would begin to negotiate free trade agreements with countries outside the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) during the South American trade bloc’s last meeting, Semanario Busqueda reported July 7.

Latin America: Uruguay to Seek Trade Deals With Non-Mercosur Countries

Honduras

United States

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez on May 11 said that despite having formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the country could open a trade office in China in a bid for a "diplomatic bridge" that could incentivize China to send vaccines to Honduras, the South China Morning Post reported May 12.

China, Taiwan: Honduran President Makes Diplomatic Play for Vaccines

At the request of Taiwan, India is donating a total of 200,000 doses of the COVAXIN vaccine to Paraguay after the South American country was reportedly offered does of China’s COVID-19 vaccine in exchange for cutting its ties with Taipei, Reuters reported April 7.

Paraguay: India Donating 200,000 Vaccine Doses at Taiwan’s Request

Paraguayan Foreign Minister Euclides Acevedo said his office was offered doses of China’s SinoVac vaccine in exchange for dropping its recognition of Taiwan, though noted the offers came from third-party individuals “whose legitimacy and ties to the government of the People’s Republic of China are not proven,” Bloomberg reported March 24.

Paraguay: Country Offered Chinese Vaccines in Exchange for Breaking Taiwan Ties

Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez asked his entire cabinet to resign following a surge of anti-government protests over the failings of the country’s healthcare system amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Deutsche Welle reported March 7. 

Paraguay: President’s Cabinet Resigns Amid Protests Over COVID-19 Mishandling   

Iran

Paraguay has designated Hezbollah a terrorist organization, while Brazil is reportedly considering following suit, Infobae reported Aug. 19.

Paraguay: Government Designates Hezbollah a Terrorist Organization

Iran's Arc of Influence

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A view of the Register in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

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Covering an area that spans the entire width of the continent beginning at the Sahara Desert and ending at the southernmost tip of South Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to countless cultures, languages, religions, plants, animals and natural resources.

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Paraguay is a landlocked country squeezed by South America's two largest countries, Argentina and Brazil. Paraguay also borders Bolivia. Because of its geopolitical position, Paraguay's integration in the global economy is basically at the mercy of Argentina and Brazil.    In fact, the bloodiest war in South American history involved Paraguay against an alliance of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. The War of the Triple Alliance, from 1864 to 1870, was responsible for the death of almost 90 percent of Paraguay's total male population. Additionally, Paraguay lost territory on the borders with Argentina and Brazil that it had long claimed as its own.    Paraguay also fought a war in the 1930s with Bolivia. But if the War of the Triple Alliance resulted in the loss of disputed territory, the Chaco War, as the conflict is known, ended with Paraguay in control of two-thirds of the semi-arid region of Chaco located on the border between the two countries.    The core of Paraguay is around its capital city, Asuncion, which is located at an important transit point in the Paraguay-Parana waterway, which connects Brazilian, Paraguayan and Argentine markets. Paraguay's proximity to South America's largest economies, Argentina and Brazil, as well as its low production costs have made the country a top destination for Argentinian and Brazilian manufacturing investments.    Since the early 1990s Paraguay has been a full member of the Common Market of the South along with Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. Membership in the bloc gives Asuncion veto power in trade negotiations involving these countries as well as trade tariff preferences.

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SITUATION REPORTS

Paraguay: Conservative Wins Presidency, Taiwan Alliance Likely Maintained

Uruguay: In Absence of Mercosur Joint Declaration, Uruguay Likely to Continue Pursuing Separate Trade Deals

Latin America: Uruguay to Seek Trade Deals With Non-Mercosur Countries

China, Taiwan: Honduran President Makes Diplomatic Play for Vaccines

Paraguay: India Donating 200,000 Vaccine Doses at Taiwan’s Request

Paraguay: Country Offered Chinese Vaccines in Exchange for Breaking Taiwan Ties

Paraguay: President’s Cabinet Resigns Amid Protests Over COVID-19 Mishandling

Paraguay: Government Designates Hezbollah a Terrorist Organization

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