United States

Iran

Yemen

Military & Security

Politics

U.S.-Iran Relations

U.S. officials said the U.S. military used a B-1 bomber for the first time in the renewed conflict with Iran to conduct July 21 attacks on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets, Axios reported on July 22.

U.S., Iran: U.S. Uses B-1 Bombers for First Time in Renewed Conflict 

Mali

Russia

The United States is considering taking military action in Mali against al Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, The Washington Post reported on July 22, citing statements from current and former officials of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. 

Mali: Trump Administration Eyes Military Action Against JNIM

India

Economics

On July 21, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that generic drugs imported into the United States will remain tariff-free for two years from Aug. 1, after which duties will increase to 100% for one year and then to 200%, Bloomberg reported on July 22. 

India, U.S.: U.S. To Impose Graduated Tariffs on Generic Drug Imports After Two Years

Energy

In a July 22 Truth Social post, U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. military would strike Iranian bridges and power plants in response to Iranian attacks against commercial vessels.

U.S., Iran: Trump and Iran Trade Threats Against Infrastructure

Saudi Arabia

U.S. President Donald Trump has formally approved a deal between the United States and Saudi Arabia that will help the Middle Eastern country develop a civilian nuclear program, and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright is expected to sign it on July 22, The Wall Street Journal reported on July 21.

U.S., Saudi Arabia: Nuclear Deal Opens the Door to Future Saudi Uranium Enrichment

Israel

Lebanon

The Lebanese Armed Forces began deploying to Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh in southern Lebanon on July 21 following Israel's withdrawal from the town as part of a U.S.-brokered "pilot zone program," Axios reported the same day.

Lebanon: U.S.-Brokered Deal Yields Partial Israeli Withdrawal From Southern Lebanon

Cuba

The U.S. State Department issued a 100-page report on July 20 linking Cuba to various protests in the United States over the past decades, including demonstrations connected to the Black Panther Party (1966-82), unrest related to the murder of George Floyd in 2020, and current protests by antifa groups and those opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests.

U.S, Cuba: State Department Links Cuba to Far-Left Extremism

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni met with Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, as regional negotiators have expanded their efforts to reach a temporary truce to de-escalate the U.S.-Iran conflict, AP reported on July 21.

U.S., Iran: Mediation Efforts Continue as U.S.-Iran Exchange Attacks

Snapshots

Middle East and North Africa

Yemeni protesters take part in a demonstration held to send a message of defiance against the continued siege and any military escalation involving Saudi forces against Houthi-controlled northern Yemen on July 17. 

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Forced to bypass the disrupted Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia's increased reliance on alternative routes leaves its critical oil shipments vulnerable to Houthi attacks.


Yemen's Houthis Threaten Saudi Oil Exports With Red Sea Blockade

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: July 23, 2026

Germany

France

Spain

Italy

A 20 euro note.

The European Union is likely to advance banking reforms in 2027 that reduce internal barriers to cross-border banking, boosting its financial competitiveness by freeing up funds tied up in savings, but will stop short of significantly greater fiscal and financial risk sharing.

Brussels Seeks To Boost the EU Banking Sector's Competitiveness

China

Vietnam

A large container ship is seen docked at a port. 

Though interim measures or narrower agreements are plausible, Vietnam's dependence on Chinese inputs will likely prevent a comprehensive agreement, potentially exposing it to stricter U.S. scrutiny and new tariffs.

Vietnam's Reliance on Chinese Imports Complicates U.S. Trade Talks

Myanmar

Philippines

United Kingdom

People pass a large banner depicting U.S. President Donald Trump with a target on his head during funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leade, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 5 in Tehran, Iran.

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

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates, ASEAN and Major Power Foreign Ministers Meet

Bahrain

Kuwait

Oman

Qatar

United Arab Emirates

Vessels are seen anchored along the Strait of Hormuz on June 18, 2026. 

By demanding investment pledges from Gulf states after threatening a 20% toll, the White House is signaling its defense of global trade routes is now a transactional service rather than a core strategic commitment.

Security as a Service: The Risks of Trump's Transactionalism in the Strait of Hormuz

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Guyana

Peru

Venezuela

Pilgrims with flags from different countries gather at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 23, 2013, as they wait for the official opening of the Catholic Church's World Youth Day, which will be celebrated with a holy Mass. 

As many South American countries embrace right-leaning governments, their policies will increasingly align with those of the U.S. Trump administration, opening them to increased security cooperation, although economic integration remains unlikely.

What South America's Rightward Political Shift Means for U.S. Relations

U.S. Naval Update Map: July 16, 2026

The U.S. and Indian flags adorn the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 20, 2023.

While the ban could prompt the U.S. to lower its proposed Section 301 tariff on India from 12.5% to 10%, unresolved concerns over manufacturing overcapacity will sustain the risk of broader, sector-specific tariffs.

India Imposes Forced Labor Import Ban to Reduce U.S. Tariff Exposure

Indonesia

Singapore

Thailand

Europe

Ukraine

ASEAN leaders hold hands for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the 48th ASEAN summit in Cebu, central Philippines on May 8, 2026. 

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Iran Tensions Remain High, ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meet With Myanmar

U.S. Naval Update Map: July 9, 2026

People pass a large banner depicting U.S. President Donald Trump with a target on his head, during funeral ceremonies for Iran's slain Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at the Grand Mosalla on July 5 in Tehran, Iran. 

Global Trade

Recent tit-for-tat strikes between the United States and Iran signal the rising risk of a return to high-intensity regional conflict following the June 17 memorandum of understanding.


U.S.-Iran Truce at Risk of Collapse Over Hormuz Control Dispute

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., Iran: U.S. Uses B-1 Bombers for First Time in Renewed Conflict

Mali: Trump Administration Eyes Military Action Against JNIM

India, U.S.: U.S. To Impose Graduated Tariffs on Generic Drug Imports After Two Years

U.S., Iran: Trump and Iran Trade Threats Against Infrastructure

U.S., Saudi Arabia: Nuclear Deal Opens the Door to Future Saudi Uranium Enrichment

Lebanon: U.S.-Brokered Deal Yields Partial Israeli Withdrawal From Southern Lebanon

U.S, Cuba: State Department Links Cuba to Far-Left Extremism

U.S., Iran: Mediation Efforts Continue as U.S.-Iran Exchange Attacks

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