<p>To the west of Eurasia lays Europe, a region predisposed to division. It is surrounded on nearly all sides by islands and peninsulas that make it difficult for Europe to cohere. The northern half of the continent, moreover, sits on a plain whose short, meandering rivers tend to empower countries without forcing them to work with others. The southern half is situated on more mountainous terrain that has historically impeded the creation of strong, unified economies. As a result, Europe is a continent riven by pockets of distinct cultures whose differences are all too often irreconcilable.</p>

Europe is a continent riven by pockets of distinct cultures whose differences are all too often irreconcilable.

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Beyond Quantitative Easing

The Ukraine Conflict

The Politics of Pipelines

EU: Regional Blocs

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French far-right Leader Marine Le Pen leaves the courtroom after a guilty verdict in her embezzlement case trial on March 31, 2025 in Paris, France. 

Politics

Marine Le Pen’s conviction for embezzling EU funds and an immediate five-year ban from public office has shaken French politics, threatening government stability and fueling far-right outrage ahead of the 2027 election.

Le Pen's Five-Year Political Ban Sets the Stage for Renewed Political Instability in France

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Intensifying trade wars, a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, continued volatility in the Middle East and consequential elections in key countries will shape the quarter.

2025 Second-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

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U.S.-Iran Relations

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People wave flags and chant slogans during a protest in front of the municipality headquarters in support of arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey. 

Global Trade

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. To Announce Tariffs, Protests in Turkey Rage On

Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Italy's Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, discusses a new draft law on nuclear energy with the press at Palazzo Chigi on Feb. 28, 2025, in Rome, Italy. 

Reintroducing nuclear power could enhance Italy's energy security, industrial competitiveness and economic growth, but major political and technical hurdles make a nuclear comeback unlikely in the next decade.

The Challenges Facing Italy's Nuclear Comeback

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India

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) walks with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (R) before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on March 17, 2025. 

U.S. tariff threats are pushing India to revamp negotiations over free trade agreements, but protectionist trade policies and other obstacles will challenge the progression of talks.

India Dusts Off Old FTA Negotiations Ahead of U.S. Tariffs

Brazil

Iran

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a joint press conference Feb. 16 at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem. Senior Israeli officials from the security and intelligence ministries will visit the United States to discuss Iran's nuclear program and Israeli border demarcation talks with Lebanon.

The Weekly Rundown: The U.S. and Israel Coordinate on Iran, the U.K. Chancellor Seeks Fiscal Discipline

Spanish soldiers sit at tables at a makeshift military base in Valencia, eastern Spain, on Nov. 12, 2024, following deadly floods in the region.

Domestic political constraints will impede Madrid's ability to expand its defense budget, which will expose it to U.S. retaliation and limit Spanish participation in any European deployment to Ukraine.

Despite Recent Pledges, Spain Will Struggle To Boost Military Spending

Media

Podcasts

How will these changes affect European countries?


Essential Geopolitics: The United States' Evolving Relationship With Russia

Incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addresses the Bundestag on March 18, 2025, before a vote on changes to the country's constitutional debt limits.

The historic reform will allow for increased investment and higher defense spending, which will help raise medium-term economic growth in both Germany and the euro area. 

The Economic Impact of Germany's Debt Brake Reform

Columns

On Geopolitics

Canada

Mexico

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks from the Oval Office on March 7, 2025, after announcing that tariffs could be imposed on Canadian dairy and lumber products within days. 

The expanding scope of Trump's trade wars, coupled with the whiplash of tariffs being enacted and then suspended, begs the question: what is driving this strategy and what, if anything, will constrain it?

Trump's Emerging Trade Doctrine

The United Kingdom's Prime Minister Keir Starmer instructed his Cabinet to prepare for imminent U.S. tariffs on British exports after last-minute negotiations with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump failed to secure an exemption, the Financial Times reported on April 1.

U.K.: London Unlikely To Escape U.S. Tariffs, But Negotiations Will Continue

Syria

Syria's provisional government announced a new transitional government that included minorities, former government officials, exiles and technocrats, The New York Times reported on March 30.

Syria: New Transitional Government Includes Minorities but Maintains Status Quo

French far-right National Rally (RN) party leader Marine Le Pen was found guilty of systematically embezzling EU funds by the Paris criminal court on March 31 and sentenced to four years in prison -- two of which are suspended -- alongside an immediate five-year ban from public office, Le Figaro reported the same day.

France: Far-Right Leader Marine Le Pen Convicted in Embezzlement Trial, Banned from Office for 5 Years

U.S. diplomats in Europe sent letters to some large EU companies warning them to comply with an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year that barred government contractors from having DEI programs, AP reported on March 31. 

U.S., EU: State Department Demands That EU Companies Comply With Ban on DEI Programs

At the end of a summit of European leaders in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron said during a press conference that participants had unanimously agreed to maintain sanctions on Russia and increase military aid to Ukraine, with France pledging an additional 2 billion euros ($2 billion), Le Monde reported on March 27.

Europe, Ukraine: Europe To Maintain Sanctions on Russia, Pursue Reassurance Force in Ukraine

The United Kingdom's Treasury chief Rachel Reeves said London will not retaliate against a 25% U.S. tariff on car imports that will take effect on April 3, Reuters reported on March 27. 

U.K.: London Will Not Retaliate Against U.S. Auto Tariffs, Seeks Exemptions

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation on March 26 implementing a 25% tariff on all imported passenger vehicles and major auto parts, such as powertrain parts, going into effect on April 3 and May 3, respectively.

U.S.: White House Announces 25% Tariffs on All Passenger Vehicle Imports

The United Kingdom's Treasury chief Rachel Reeves announced a 14 billion pound ($18 billion) savings package of spending cuts to stabilize public finances, The Guardian reported on March 26.

U.K.: Treasury Announces Savings Package To Restore Fiscal Discipline, Growth Forecast Halved

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

U.K.: London Unlikely To Escape U.S. Tariffs, But Negotiations Will Continue

Syria: New Transitional Government Includes Minorities but Maintains Status Quo

France: Far-Right Leader Marine Le Pen Convicted in Embezzlement Trial, Banned from Office for 5 Years

U.S., EU: State Department Demands That EU Companies Comply With Ban on DEI Programs

Europe, Ukraine: Europe To Maintain Sanctions on Russia, Pursue Reassurance Force in Ukraine

U.K.: London Will Not Retaliate Against U.S. Auto Tariffs, Seeks Exemptions

U.S.: White House Announces 25% Tariffs on All Passenger Vehicle Imports

U.K.: Treasury Announces Savings Package To Restore Fiscal Discipline, Growth Forecast Halved

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