United States

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Military & Security

The United States announced that it had begun constructing a temporary pier in Gaza to support the influx and distribution of humanitarian aid, adding that the pier will likely begin operations in early May with the use of third-country lorry drivers and the Israel Defense Forces providing security, The National reported on April 25.

U.S., Israel: Construction Begins on Temporary U.S. Humanitarian Pier in Gaza

China

Taiwan

Russia

Economics

Politics

U.S.-China Relations

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Chinese Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, Reuters reported on April 26. 

China, U.S.: Blinken Meets With President Xi and Minister(s) Wang

Chad

The U.S. Department of Defense will temporarily withdraw around 75 special operation forces from Chad in the coming days, The New York Times reported on April 25.

Chad: U.S. To Withdraw Special Forces From Chad 

Europe

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

The European Parliament approved the Net-Zero Industry Act, or NZIA, the bloc's plan to strengthen its green manufacturing ecosystem and bolster its production of the technologies needed for the energy transition, a press release from the European Parliament showed on April 25.

EU: European Parliament Approves Plan To Boost Green Tech Manufacturing

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

Law firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP asked U.S. technology company Apple to clarify the origin of the tin, tungsten and tantalum (3T) used in its supply chains on behalf of Congolese authorities, Reuters reported on April 25.

Congo: Law Firm Accuses Rwanda of Laundering Congolese Minerals, Threatens Legal Action

The Standing Committee of China's 14th National People's Congress voted to adopt the Tariff Law, which will go into effect on Dec. 1, Xinhua News Agency reported on April 26.

China: Tariff Law Formalizes More Economic Warfare Options

The U.S. Biden administration concluded that the human rights abuses of which Israeli forces are accused do not merit a military aid cut-off since four of the five units under investigation are taking steps to address the abuses, according to a letter written by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, ABC News reported on April 26.

U.S., Israel: White House Decides Against Sanctioning Israeli Military Units

Cyber

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted to restore "net neutrality" regulations, which expand government oversight on broadband providers to prevent them from limiting or degrading access to internet applications and services, The New York Times reported on April 25.

U.S.: Government Agency Restores Regulations on Net Neutrality

Assessments

Tracking U.S. Naval Power

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: April 25, 2024

Media

Podcasts

Social Issues

What are the biggest issues with the U.S. healthcare system, and how can we address them?

RANE Insights: Addressing Problems in the U.S. Healthcare System

U.S. Naval Update Map: April 18, 2024

Japan

South Korea

U.S. President Joe Biden (right) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shake hands following a joint press conference in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 10, 2024, in Washington, D.C. 

Greater U.S.-Japan defense cooperation will exacerbate China's sense of entrapment, furthering Beijing's partnerships with authoritarian regimes and its long-term preparations for a Taiwan conflict.

Japan-U.S. Relationship Serves as a Model for Indo-Pacific Security, a Bad Omen for China

Iran

A billboard depicting Iranian ballistic missiles pictured April 15, 2024, in Valiasr Square in central Tehran. Iran's attack against Israel and Israel's possible retaliation will increase the likelihood that Tehran will accelerate the development of nuclear weapons.

U.S.-Iran Relations

Iran's attack against Israel and Israel's possible retaliation will increase the likelihood that Tehran will accelerate the development of nuclear weapons.

How Israel's Response to Iran Could Accelerate the Iranian Nuclear Program

Niger

What are Niger's security options going forward?

Essential Geopolitics: The Outlook for Niger's Security Landscape

U.S. Naval Update Map: April 11, 2024

Philippines

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (center), flanked by two other U.S. officials, is seen during a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo (not pictured) on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly at the Lotte Palace Hotel in New York City on Sept. 22, 2023.

A partnership between the three countries will likely improve freedom of navigation and economic security in the South China Sea, but may also raise the risk of trade disputes and conflict with China.

What To Watch for During the Inaugural U.S.-Japan-Philippines Summit

Poland

People attend an April 5, 2024, funeral procession for seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members killed in an Israeli strike in Syria.

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 Threat of Iranian Retaliation Against Israel, Polish Local Elections

Snapshots

United Kingdom

A rendering of Earth from space at night with abstract 5G connection zones. 

In the United Kingdom and the United States, a focus on innovation will sideline robust artificial intelligence regulations.

The U.S. and U.K. Ramp Up Innovation-Focused AI Collaboration

Lebanon

Syria

Emergency and security personnel search rubble at the site of an April 1, 2024, strike on the Iranian Consulate in Syria's capital of Damascus. Iran will try to minimize the risk of escalation, but doing so will fail to deter Israel from further attacks on Iranian targets in the region. 

Iran will try to minimize the risk of escalation, but doing so will fail to deter Israel from further attacks on Iranian targets in the region. 

Iran's Response to Israel's Audacious Damascus Strike Will Not Deter Escalation

Australia

Germany

France

Chinese car manufacturer BYD's stacked electric vehicles wait to be loaded onto a ship at the international container terminal of Taicang Port at Suzhou Port in China's eastern Jiangsu province on Sept. 11, 2023.

As Chinese electric vehicles threaten to flood Western markets, Washington and Brussels prepare restrictions to protect domestic manufacturers and secure sensitive data. 

Chinese Electric Vehicles Prepare to Hit the Great Wall of Western Tariffs

The United States encompasses territory spanning from the Arctic Circle and Central Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic.    The Greater Mississippi Basin is the United States' core and serves as the underpinning of its role as a global superpower.    The basin hosts an extensive network of navigable rivers that overlay the world's largest contiguous piece of arable land. This naturally interconnected river system facilitated integration among settlers and allowed for cheap transport of goods, providing the United States with the ability to feed itself efficiently and rapidly build up industry and capital to expand west. The Midwestern core gave early America strategic depth, while an expanding U.S. coastline, naturally indented with deep harbors, provided its opening to the world.    After reaching the Pacific coast in the mid-19th century, the United States found itself insulated by two oceans. On the continent itself, geography again has worked in the country's favor: lakes to the north and deserts to the south insulate the United States' population centers, with both Canada and Mexico facing too many natural constraints of their own to seriously rival it.    This unparalleled level of wealth and protection gives the United States options that few to no countries can claim. For one, the United States has used its wealth and security to build up the world's largest navy. Control of the world's major sea-lanes gives the United States the power to facilitate or deny trade to allies or rivals of the day. The onus therefore is on the United States to carefully manage its engagements abroad and build up strategic allies to protect its overseas interests and preserve its strength at home. 

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., Israel: Construction Begins on Temporary U.S. Humanitarian Pier in Gaza

China, U.S.: Blinken Meets With President Xi and Minister(s) Wang

Chad: U.S. To Withdraw Special Forces From Chad

EU: European Parliament Approves Plan To Boost Green Tech Manufacturing

Congo: Law Firm Accuses Rwanda of Laundering Congolese Minerals, Threatens Legal Action

China: Tariff Law Formalizes More Economic Warfare Options

U.S., Israel: White House Decides Against Sanctioning Israeli Military Units

U.S.: Government Agency Restores Regulations on Net Neutrality

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