<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.

Europe

Belize

Andorra

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Holy See

Latvia

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Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

North Macedonia

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United Kingdom

Bulgaria

Portugal

Serbia

Croatia

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Romania

Cyprus

Norway

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Slovakia

Albania

Slovenia

Netherlands

Switzerland

Spain

Montenegro

Monaco

Italy

Ireland

Iceland

Hungary

Kosovo

Beyond Quantitative Easing

The Ukraine Conflict

The Politics of Pipelines

EU: Regional Blocs

Divided EU Foreign Policies

Brexit

The Fate of the Eurozone

Banking

Crossing Borders

Globalization

European Disintegration

Echoes of the Cold War

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

Snapshots

Military & Security

Politics

While a Ukraine loan scheme will offer opportunities for British companies, it will not reintegrate the United Kingdom into EU defense structures.

A Small Step for EU-British Defense Cooperation

Assessments

United States

Iran

Australia

Japan

India

An oil products tanker at Muscat Anchorage on March 21, 2026 at Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman. 

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.K. Elections, Iran War Resumption Risk

U.S.-Iran Relations

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer departs 10 Downing Street on April 29 in London. While a leadership challenge against the British prime minister is possible, policy continuity is likely no matter who governs.

Economics

While a leadership challenge against the British prime minister is possible, policy continuity is likely no matter who governs. Meanwhile, strong pro-independence gains are possible in Scotland and Wales, but not near-term independence.

Labour's Starmer Faces Bleak Local U.K. Electoral Prospects

Direction signs point to Germany and France in the town of Schengen where the 1985 European Schengen Agreement was signed on May 11, 2016 in Schengen, Luxembourg. 

The reintroduction of border controls by countries across the Schengen area is acting as a slow structural drag on the continent's economic competitiveness.


'Temporary' Schengen Border Controls Threaten Europe's Integrated Supply Chains

South Korea

Vietnam

Russia

Employees walk at the construction site of a gas metering station, part of the pipeline link between Bulgaria and Greece near the village of Malko Kadievo, on March 18, 2022. 

Energy

The Weekly Rundown: No U.S.-Iran Breakthrough, EU Ban on Spot Market Russian LNG

A digital illustration shows the euro currency symbol burning with a blue flame inside a gas stove. 

Brussels' strategy prioritizes temporary relief and coordination over broad market intervention, which will likely result in a fragmented response and sustained price volatility.

EU Outlines Energy Relief and Coordination Measures in Response to Iran-Linked Supply Shock

Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan delivers a speech to lawmakers in parliament in Bucharest on June 23, 2025.

The crisis could undermine fiscal consolidation and further empower far-right forces, potentially reversing Romania's EU alignment and harming its economic credibility.

Romania's Latest Political Crisis Threatens Fiscal Reform and EU Alignment

Cuba

Lebanon

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine speaks as he displays a map showing the U.S. Navy's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz during a press briefing at the Pentagon on April 16, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia. 

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Iran Diplomacy, Political Instability in the Balkans

Ukraine

Peter Magyar, lead candidate of the Tisza party, speaks to reporters in Budapest on April 13, 2026, after his party's sweeping victory in Hungary's parliamentary elections.

With a two-thirds supermajority, the new government will be able to dismantle Orban's entrenched institutional and economic influence, as well as reset EU relations. But a swift and drastic reversal in Hungary-Ukraine relations remains unlikely.

Hungary's Pro-EU Opposition Wins Big, Ending the Orban Era

Canada

Peru

Israel

China

A digital screen displaying news of U.S.-Iran peace talks April 10 in Islamabad. The United States and Iran are set to begin contentious talks April 11 in Islamabad, Pakistan, with disputes over the 10-point proposal as a framework for discussions and major gaps between U.S. and Iranian demands.

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Iran Talks, Hungarians Vote

Azerbaijan

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku and said Italy would deepen cooperation with Azerbaijan in energy, defense, security, transport, logistics, investment and political dialogue, Bloomberg reported on May 4.

Azerbaijan, Italy: Meloni Pledges Closer Energy Ties With Baku Amid Iran War Supply Disruption

Romania's Parliament ousted center-right Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan after the center-left Social Democratic Party, or PSD, which exited the ruling coalition in April, joined forces with the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians, or AUR, to pass a no-confidence motion, Digi24 reported on May 5.

Romania: Government Falls as PSD and Far-Right AUR Join Forces in No-Confidence Vote

Armenia

Armenia hosted the European Political Community summit in Yerevan for the first time, bringing together more than 40 leaders from countries including France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Ukraine, Poland and Moldova, Armenpress reported on May 4.

Armenia, EU: Yerevan Hosts EPC Summit Ahead of First EU-Armenia Summit

European trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic will meet U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Paris, France, on May 5, following U.S. President Donald Trump's May 1 threat to raise tariffs on EU car and truck imports to 25% from 15%, citing alleged noncompliance with the U.S.-EU trade agreement reached in July 2025, Politico reported on May 4, citing a European Commission spokesperson.

EU, U.S.: Trump Threatens Higher Auto Tariffs on EU, Raising Risk of Further Trade Escalation

The Pentagon announced plans to withdraw around 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany over the next six to 12 months, though it remains unclear which bases would be affected and whether forces would return to the United States or be redeployed elsewhere, Reuters reported on May 1. 

Germany, U.S.: U.S. Plans 5,000-Troop Drawdown From Germany, Cancels Long-Range Missile Deployment

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a May 1 post on Truth Social that he would increase tariffs on EU cars and trucks to 25% "next week" over EU noncompliance with the trade deal the European Union and United States signed in 2025.

U.S., EU: Trump Says He Will Increase Tariffs on EU Cars

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Paraguay

Uruguay

The EU-Mercosur free trade agreement entered provisional application on May 1, following more than 25 years of negotiations, Euronews reported the same day.

EU, Mercosur: Free Trade Agreement Enters Provisional Application

Belgium

The Belgian government and French utility Engie agreed on April 30 to a framework paving the way for possible state acquisition of Belgium's nuclear assets, including the seven reactors operated by Engie subsidiary Electrabel, Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced on X, arguing for a full takeover of the country's nuclear fleet to strengthen energy security.

Belgium: Government Advances Talks for Possible State Takeover of Nuclear Assets

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

Azerbaijan, Italy: Meloni Pledges Closer Energy Ties With Baku Amid Iran War Supply Disruption

Romania: Government Falls as PSD and Far-Right AUR Join Forces in No-Confidence Vote

Armenia, EU: Yerevan Hosts EPC Summit Ahead of First EU-Armenia Summit

EU, U.S.: Trump Threatens Higher Auto Tariffs on EU, Raising Risk of Further Trade Escalation

Germany, U.S.: U.S. Plans 5,000-Troop Drawdown From Germany, Cancels Long-Range Missile Deployment

U.S., EU: Trump Says He Will Increase Tariffs on EU Cars

EU, Mercosur: Free Trade Agreement Enters Provisional Application

Belgium: Government Advances Talks for Possible State Takeover of Nuclear Assets

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