<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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The flag of Afghanistan sits on the Afghan embassy in Moscow on July 4, 2025. 

Military & Security

Politics

As Afghanistan's neighbors deepen ties with the Taliban and Western states remain cautious, a widening diplomatic divide threatens to complicate efforts to address the country's worsening crises and regional security risks.

The Growing International Divide Over Taliban Ties Will Risk Regional Stability

Cambodia

Thailand

Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Oval Office of the White House on July 22, 2025. 

Economics

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Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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

The Weekly Rundown: Last-Minute U.S. Trade Talks, a New Polish President

Columns

On Geopolitics

Belarus

A view in Rostock, Germany, of the first exit of warships for the NATO exercise BALTOPS in the Baltic Sea on June 5, 2025. 

In response to Russian aggression, NATO is seeking to establish strategic control over the Baltic Sea via rearmament and more assertive posturing, creating an environment where the risk of miscalculation grows exponentially.

Baltic on the Brink: The New Flashpoint in Europe's Confrontation With Russia

A digital illustration shows a digital human head overlaying the EU flag.

Cyber

Environment, Science & Technology

Growing internal and U.S. pressure will likely force Brussels to delay or amend its landmark AI law, fueling short-term regulatory uncertainty that could hinder the technology's development in Europe.

The Fate of the EU's Ambitious AI Act

Snapshots

The EU flag is seen on stacked cargo containers.

The framework deal avoids an escalation of tit-for-tat tariffs that would have strained both economies, but various unresolved issues could still reignite transatlantic trade tensions in the future.

New U.S.-EU Deal Averts Full-Blown Trade War -- For Now

Canada

Mexico

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A Cambodian soldier stands on a truck with a rocket launcher in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, which borders Thailand, on July 25, 2025. 

The Weekly Rundown: U.S. Tariff Deadline Passes, Thai-Cambodian Border Tensions Persist

U.S.-China Relations

A protester holds a Ukrainian flag in downtown Kyiv on July 22, 2025, during a demonstration calling for President Volodymyr Zelensky to veto a law that reduces the powers of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies.

A new law placing Ukraine's two anti-corruption agencies under executive control raises the risk of further protests that could destabilize Zelensky's government and undermine its war effort.

In Ukraine, a Controversial Law Fuels Protests and Corruption Concerns

Flags of EU countries are seen outside the European Parliament building in Brussels, Belgium, on April 5, 2025.

The proposed budget prioritizes competitiveness, defense and strategic autonomy, but it will face significant internal resistance regarding revenue sources, spending cuts and greater centralization.

Reviewing the 2028-2034 EU Budget: New Priorities and Anticipated Pushback

Euro banknotes lie atop U.S. dollar banknotes.

The dollar's depreciation against the euro will likely persist due to U.S. trade and fiscal policy uncertainty, which will hurt European exports but also reduce the risk of destabilizing U.S. financial policies.

Making Sense of Dollar Weakness and Euro Strength

Australia

U.S. President Donald Trump on April 24 in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington. In an interview July 10, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested he would "have a major statement to make on Russia on Monday," perhaps representing a shift in his administration's policy.

The Weekly Rundown: Trump Speaks on Ukraine, Sweeping EU Budget Reform

The United States imposed a 39% baseline tariff on imports from Switzerland, above the 31% rate previously floated in April and representing one of the highest levels imposed by the United States on any country, Reuters reported on July 31.

Switzerland, U.S.: U.S. To Impose 39% Baseline Tariff Rate on Swiss Exports

Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas announced his resignation, along with his resignation as leader of the Social Democratic Party (LSDP), following mounting criticism over alleged financial ties to a company owned by his sister-in-law, Reuters reported on July 31.

Lithuania: Prime Minister Resigns Amid Criticism of Personal Financial Ties

Eighteen EU member states - including Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain and the three Baltic States - have applied for funding under the bloc's new Security Action for Europe (SAFE) loan facility to support defense investments and joint procurement across the bloc, the European Commission announced on July 30.

EU: 18 Member States Apply for Funding Under Joint Defense Procurement Scheme

Israel

Belgium

The European Commission proposed suspending Israel's participation in the Horizon Research fund due to human rights concerns associated with Israel's ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported on July 28.

EU, Israel: EU Proposes Suspending Israeli Participation in Research Fund

The German government is set to approve its 2026 draft budget on July 30, outlining 520.5 billion euros ($607 billion) in spending and record borrowing of 174.3 billion euros ($203 billion) -- up from 50.5 billion euros in 2024 -- alongside a medium-term financial framework extending through 2029, Reuters reported on July 28. 

Germany: Berlin to Propose Increased Investment, Borrowing and Defense Spending in 2026 Budget Plan

Australia's and the United Kingdom's defense ministers agreed on a 50-year bilateral treaty to underpin joint nuclear-powered submarine development, industrial cooperation, workforce training and rotational basing under AUKUS Pillar I, the Australian Financial Review reported on July 25.

Australia, U.K.: Canberra, London Sign 50-Year Submarine Treaty Amid AUKUS Review

International credit rating agency S&P Global reaffirmed Romania's long-term sovereign rating at BBB- and maintained its negative outlook in its latest review published on July 24.

Romania: Investment Grade Retained in First Post-Election Review

Iran

Energy

Diplomats from Iran, France, Germany and the United Kingdom met in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 25 and agreed to continue talks at a later, unspecified date, but they did not reach a breakthrough on the nuclear issue or sanctions, Bloomberg reported the same day.

Iran, EU: Meeting on Iran's Nuclear Program Yields No Breakthroughs, No Collapse

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

Switzerland, U.S.: U.S. To Impose 39% Baseline Tariff Rate on Swiss Exports

Lithuania: Prime Minister Resigns Amid Criticism of Personal Financial Ties

EU: 18 Member States Apply for Funding Under Joint Defense Procurement Scheme

EU, Israel: EU Proposes Suspending Israeli Participation in Research Fund

Germany: Berlin to Propose Increased Investment, Borrowing and Defense Spending in 2026 Budget Plan

Australia, U.K.: Canberra, London Sign 50-Year Submarine Treaty Amid AUKUS Review

Romania: Investment Grade Retained in First Post-Election Review

Iran, EU: Meeting on Iran's Nuclear Program Yields No Breakthroughs, No Collapse

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