<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

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

North Macedonia

San Marino

Sweden

United Kingdom

Bulgaria

Portugal

Serbia

Croatia

Poland

Romania

Cyprus

Norway

Austria

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

Assessments

Chile

United States

Israel

Qatar

Russia

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani addresses a press conference following Israeli strikes in Doha on Sept. 9, 2025. 

Economics

Politics

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

The Weekly Rundown: Qatar Hosts an Arab-Islamic Summit, EU Announces New Sanctions on Russia

U.S.-China Relations

Snapshots

Ukraine

Military & Security

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Russia's drone incursion into Poland highlights Moscow's increasing willingness to test Western resolve as it continues mass airstrikes on Ukraine, prepares for war games in Belarus and negotiations to end the war are stalled. 


Russian Drones Crossing into Poland Risk Escalation with NATO

France's then-Prime Minister Francois Bayrou (C) delivers his general policy statement during an extraordinary parliamentary session prior to a confidence vote over the government's austerity budget at the National Assembly in Paris on Sept. 8, 2025.

Spending cuts proposed by the ousted prime minister and the prospect of further austerity measures have energized a new grassroots movement, raising the specter of another yellow vest-style uprising.

In France, Prime Minister Bayrou's Ouster Deepens Political Paralysis and Fiscal Uncertainty

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer departs 10 Downing Street on Sept. 3 in London. The Labour Party's deputy leadership contest will intensify internal party criticism of Starmer ahead of a politically painful budget in November.

The Labour Party's deputy leadership contest will intensify internal party criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer ahead of a politically painful budget in November. 

The Contest for Deputy Leader of UK Labour Will Intensify the Party's Woes

Ethiopia

Brazil

Japan

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou leaves after the weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on Aug. 27, 2025.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: France's Bayrou Faces a Confidence Vote, Ethiopia Inaugurates Its Mega-Dam

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou arrives ahead of meetings with party leaders as part of political consultations at the Hotel de Matignon in Paris, on Sept. 4, 2025, ahead of the French National Assembly's vote of confidence.

Decisive action to significantly reduce fiscal deficits will remain elusive before and likely after France's next presidential election, given political fragmentation and polarization that will prevent a stable legislative majority.

French Debt Soars As Parliament Unlikely To Reach Fiscal Consolidation

Media

Podcasts

Why is the Baltic such a critical and complex region?

Essential Geopolitics: Remilitarization in the Baltic

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

South Asia

The Geopolitics of Trade

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Global Trade

Geopolitical, security and environmental risks threaten to disrupt trade through crucial waterways, including the Bab el-Mandeb strait, the Suez Canal, the Danish and Turkish straits, and the Panama Canal.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Threats to Maritime Chokepoints Endanger Global Trade, Part 2

Diverse security risks threaten maritime chokepoints around the world, presenting unique challenges to international trade.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Threats to Maritime Chokepoints Endanger Global Trade, Part 1

The building housing Norway's parliament is seen on May 17, 2025, in Oslo.

The Sept. 8 vote could result in another left-wing coalition focused on welfare and climate, a right-wing coalition focused on tax cuts and oil production, or perhaps even an unprecedented grand coalition between the country's two largest parties.

Norway's Legislative Elections: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

China

Philippines

Chinese and Philippine vessels clashed near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, with China's coast guard using water cannons against more than 10 Philippine ships, damaging one vessel and injuring a crew member, Nikkei Asia reported on Sept. 16.

China, Philippines, U.K.: Coast Guards Clash as London Pursues Visiting Forces Agreement

The European Union delayed the presentation of its 19th package of sanctions against Russia from Sept. 17 to an unspecified date, Politico reported Sept. 16, citing EU diplomats.

EU, Russia: Brussels Delays 19th Sanctions Package Against Moscow

For the first time, the European Commission unilaterally added new items to the European Union's export control list the week of Sept. 8, bypassing the usual Wassenaar Arrangement process, under which Russia could block additions, the Financial Times reported on Sept. 15.

EU: Brussels Exercises New Export Control Powers Under Economic Security Strategy

Despite sanctions, the European Union and the United States continue to import billions of dollars' worth of Russian commodities, including liquefied natural gas, fertilizers, uranium and palladium, Reuters reported on Sept. 15.

Russia, EU, U.S.: Sanctions Pressure Undercut by Continued Trade With Russia

The United States and the United Kingdom will sign agreements on technology and nuclear power during U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom on Sept. 16-18, Reuters reported on Sept. 15, citing British and U.S. officials.

U.K., U.S.: London and Washington To Announce Tech, Energy Deals and Investment, Resume Steel Tariff Talks

The United States and the United Kingdom will sign the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy during U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit to the United Kingdom on Sept. 16-18, according to a press release from the United Kingdom on Sept. 15.

U.S., U.K.: Washington, London To Sign Advanced Nuclear Energy Partnership

Canada

Turkey

South Korea

EU ambassadors discussed whether the bloc’s 150 billion euro ($176 billion) Security Action for Europe (SAFE) loan facility for defense investments and joint procurement could be used to finance arms purchases from the United Kingdom and Canada, with France pushing to cap such purchases at 50% of their value to prioritize EU-based defense manufacturers, Euractiv reported on Sept. 12.

EU: Member States Debate Third-Country Participation in SAFE Defense Joint Procurement Initiative

Cyber

The EU General Court sided with multinational technology companies Meta and TikTok in a legal ruling that challenged the European Commission's methodology of collecting annual fees from companies in accordance with the Digital Services Act, or DSA, Politico reported on Sept. 10. 

EU: Top Court Sides With Meta, TikTok in Legal Blow to Digital Services Act

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

China, Philippines, U.K.: Coast Guards Clash as London Pursues Visiting Forces Agreement

EU, Russia: Brussels Delays 19th Sanctions Package Against Moscow

EU: Brussels Exercises New Export Control Powers Under Economic Security Strategy

Russia, EU, U.S.: Sanctions Pressure Undercut by Continued Trade With Russia

U.K., U.S.: London and Washington To Announce Tech, Energy Deals and Investment, Resume Steel Tariff Talks

U.S., U.K.: Washington, London To Sign Advanced Nuclear Energy Partnership

EU: Member States Debate Third-Country Participation in SAFE Defense Joint Procurement Initiative

EU: Top Court Sides With Meta, TikTok in Legal Blow to Digital Services Act

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support