United States

Ukraine

Russia

Military & Security

Politics

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

According to a U.S.-Ukraine joint statement, Ukraine is prepared to accept a U.S. proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire with Russia that can be extended following all parties' mutual agreement, Reuters reported on March 11.

Ukraine, U.S.: Washington and Kyiv Propose 30-day Ceasefire to Russia, Resume Paused Cooperation

Russia claimed it shot down 343 drones in an attack that constituted the largest drone attack by either side in terms of the total number of drones used since the war, Agentstvo reported March 11. 

Ukraine, Russia: Kyiv Launches Largest-Ever Drone Attack on Russia as U.S.-Ukraine Delegations Meet

Europe

Economics

At the conclusion of a special summit in Brussels, 26 EU leaders endorsed a declaration supporting Ukraine, setting red lines for peace talks, backing Kyiv's EU accession and committing to future military aid -- though without a specific target, Politico reported on March 7.

EU, Ukraine: EU Backs Ukraine Without Hungary, Stalls on More Aid

Syria

Energy

Russia sent Syrian currency printed in Russia to Syria in what was expected to be a sustained continuation of al Assad-era policies, Reuters reported on March 6.

Russia, Syria: Russia Sends Cash, Fuel to Syria in Bid To Keep Military Bases

The United States ceased intelligence sharing with Ukraine as a result of the Feb. 28 Oval Office meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian officials that also led to the suspension of U.S. military support, the Financial Times reported on March 5. 

U.S., Ukraine: U.S. Suspends Intelligence Sharing With Ukraine

Iran

U.S.-Iran Relations

Russia agreed to help the United States in talks with Iran over Tehran's nuclear program and support of regional proxies, Bloomberg reported on March 4. 

Iran: U.S. Asks for Russia's Help in Negotiating With Iran

China

Myanmar

Myanmar's military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, arrived in Moscow with a delegation for an official visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and other officials, AP reported on March 3.

Myanmar, Russia: Junta Leader Meeting Putin in Moscow

Guinea Bissau

Mali

Mediators from the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, said they left Guinea Bissau after President Umaro Sissoco Embalo threatened to expel them, Radio France Internationale reported on March 3.

Guinea Bissau: ECOWAS Mediators Leave Country Following President's Threats Over Election Dispute

Columns

On Geopolitics

A digital map illustration of Russia.

U.S.-China Relations

The White House believes that restoring ties with Moscow will help it negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine and, more importantly, undermine Russia-China relations in the long run. But numerous potential pitfalls mean this approach is unlikely to pay off.

The Rationale and Risks of Trump's Push to Reengage With Russia

Assessments

France

United Kingdom

Ukrainian flags are flown alongside EU flags outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 24, 2025, for the third anniversary of Russia'’s large-scale invasion.

Amid the prospect of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, European leaders are mulling putting boots on the ground in Ukraine to help deter Russian aggression, which could take several forms, each varying in effectiveness and feasibility.

Weighing the Options for a European Deployment in Ukraine

A map of the United States from 1897. While a revisionist America could lead to a more stable world order, it would be much more likely to lead to greater uncertainty, volatility, and conflict.

While a revisionist America could lead to a more stable world order, it would be much more likely to lead to greater uncertainty, volatility, and conflict.

What a Revisionist U.S. Foreign Policy Could Mean for the World

Turkey

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Georgia

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (4th from left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (5th from left) attend a meeting in Moscow on April 22, 2024. 

Russia's influence in the South Caucasus is set to decline in the years ahead as countries adjust their foreign policies to balance global and regional powers, creating opportunities for China, Turkey and the West.

The Coming South Caucasus Realignment

Snapshots

Minerals are loaded onto trucks at an open-pit mine in Ukraine's Donetsk region, near the frontline of the war with Russia, on Feb. 26, 2025.

The deal, while largely political for now, could influence the course of the war by justifying continued U.S. aid to Ukraine, potentially delaying any ceasefire with Russia.

The Viability and Potential Impact of the U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Crowds of Palestinians gather to receive food outside a U.N. aid distribution center in the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah on Nov. 2, 2024.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Social Issues

The displacement of any Palestinians from the Gaza Strip will further erode post-World War II norms against population transfers, laying the groundwork for future global conflicts.

Trump's Gaza Plan Risks Further Eroding Global Constraints on Population Removals

(Left to right) U.S., Saudi and Russian officials attend a meeting in Riyadh on Feb. 18, 2025.

While the talks open the door to a ceasefire, the exclusion of Ukraine and its European partners creates the risk of a deal that is not enforced and fails to end the fighting.

What To Expect From U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ethiopia

Kenya

Rwanda

Lebanon

Sri Lanka

Damage on Feb. 13 in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Mideast Ceasefires and Arab Gaza Proposals, the AU Summit

Media

Podcasts

Is the Russia-Ukraine war Putin's Vietnam?

Essential Geopolitics: The Implications of U.S.-Russia Talks on War With Ukraine Part II

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tanzania

Americas

Brazil

Colombia

Cuba

Haiti

Nicaragua

Venezuela

Iraq

Jordan

Yemen

Cambodia

Indonesia

North Macedonia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Serbia

Albania

Kosovo

South Asia

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

India

The lobby of the headquarters for the U.S. Agency for International Development is seen on Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington, D.C. 

Cuts to U.S.-funded humanitarian and development programs could worsen global health outcomes, destabilize security environments, accelerate democratic backsliding, and create opportunities for rival powers to expand their influence.

The Global Implications of Trump's Foreign Aid Cuts

Is the Russia-Ukraine War Putin's Vietnam?

Essential Geopolitics: The Implications of U.S.-Russia Talks on War With Ukraine, Part I

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky looks on during a joint press conference with Poland's prime minister in Lviv on Dec. 17, 2024.

Despite growing pressure from the U.S. and Russia, Zelensky will resist proposals for Ukrainian elections and/or a ceasefire if he believes the terms would be political suicide for him and an affront to his country's interests.

How Will Peace Talks and Potential Elections Impact Ukraine's Political Stability? 

<p>Despite being the largest country in the world by area, the Russian Federation occupies territory that is indefensible and unforgiving. The core of Russia, running from the Volga grain belts up through Moscow proper to the Baltic Sea, lacks any natural features to fortify it from attack. This is why the country has traditionally anchored its territory to major geographic barriers far from its core in an attempt to keep foreign powers distant. As a result, Russia has inevitably had to reach east across the frozen tundra of Siberia to the Pacific Ocean, southeast to the Tien Shen mountains of Central Asia, south to the Caucasus Mountains bordering Iran and Turkey, and finally west to the Carpathian Mountains in Central Europe. But, there is one major hole in this geographic expanse: The Northern European plane. The Northern European plane is a gap between the Carpathian Mountains and the Baltic sea which, at its narrowest, is 480 kilometers (300 miles) across. This narrow point, referred to as the Polish funnel, lies just West of Warsaw and reaches down Krakow in the south. Russia has faced three major attackers along this axis; Napoleon, Wilhelm II, and Hitler. Most recently, the expansion of NATO and the European Union into Central and Eastern Europe has raised Russian hackles. Moscow would much prefer to control the lands between Russia and the Polish funnel &mdash; pushing as far west as possible &mdash; knowing full well that once an attacker has passed that narrow chokepoint, it is an open march to Russia&#39;s heartland. For this reason, Moscow seeks to occupy or influence its borderlands, or at the very least, maintain their neutrality. Looking beyond its indefensible borders and largely hollow interior, Russia boasts a diverse population of 144,463,450 people and a powerful military. These armed forces, backed by an autocratic political system, help protect the country&#39;s unwieldy land mass. Russia&#39;s economy is inherently fragile and highly dependent on commodity exports ranging from grain to energy. The country is traditionally at its most powerful when a strong, heavy-handed leader is in charge, such as current Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite this, though, the Kremlin must continually deal with internal political divisions, rising ethnic tensions and regional dissidence.</p>

SITUATION REPORTS

Ukraine, U.S.: Washington and Kyiv Propose 30-day Ceasefire to Russia, Resume Paused Cooperation

Ukraine, Russia: Kyiv Launches Largest-Ever Drone Attack on Russia as U.S.-Ukraine Delegations Meet

EU, Ukraine: EU Backs Ukraine Without Hungary, Stalls on More Aid

Russia, Syria: Russia Sends Cash, Fuel to Syria in Bid To Keep Military Bases

U.S., Ukraine: U.S. Suspends Intelligence Sharing With Ukraine

Iran: U.S. Asks for Russia's Help in Negotiating With Iran

Myanmar, Russia: Junta Leader Meeting Putin in Moscow

Guinea Bissau: ECOWAS Mediators Leave Country Following President's Threats Over Election Dispute

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