<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

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Estonia

Finland

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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

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier delivers a speech at the National Assembly, the French Parliament's lower house, in Paris on Dec. 2, 2024.

Economics

Politics

France faces heightened political instability as no-confidence votes threaten the government following Prime Minister Barnier's use of Article 49.3 to pass the 2025 budget without parliamentary approval.

Barnier's Budget Gambit Triggers Political Showdown in French Parliament

Assessments

United States

People visit the 1627 Pilgrim Village at "Plimoth Plantation," where role-players portray pilgrims seven years after the arrival of the Mayflower, in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

On Thanksgiving, the United States celebrates the Plymouth Colony. However, few know that New England's colonization was a response to major geopolitical pressures -- particularly England's struggle against the Spanish both on the Continent and in the New World.

Thanksgiving and Puritan Geopolitics in the Americas

Romanian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu is seen during a television interview on Nov. 13, 2024. 

Georgescu's shock victory in the first round of the presidential election reflects a surge in anti-establishment sentiment that could yield similar surprises in Romania's Dec. 1 parliamentary elections.

A Far-Right Dark Horse Emerges in Romania's Presidential Race

Global Elections

Opinion polls ahead of Romania's parliamentary elections scheduled for Dec. 1 indicate four main possible coalition government scenarios.

2024 Elections: Romania

Russia

A view of the Gas Connect Austria natural gas distribution hub stand at Baumgarten an der March, Austria, on Nov. 16, 2024.

Energy

A muted market reaction to disrupted gas supply in Austria signals Europe's preparedness for a likely cut-off of Russian gas in the coming months.

Markets Shrug Off Russia's Gas Cut-Off to Austria

Ukraine

Debris lies in the courtyard of a damaged house following a missile attack at an undisclosed location in Ukraine's Odesa region on Nov. 17, 2024.

Military & Security

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The U.S. decision to allow Ukraine to strike deeper into Russia with ATACMS missiles signals a policy shift but is unlikely to change the war's trajectory.

U.S. Greenlights Limited Ukrainian Strikes Inside Russia with Long-Range Missiles

Senegal

Brazil

Israel

A G-20 summit banner on Nov. 12 at City Hall in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will host G-20 leaders Nov. 18-19 in Rio de Janeiro, where he will try to secure support for three main proposals.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Brazil Hosts the G-20, Constitutional Crisis Looms in Israel

Media

Podcasts

What are the long-term implications for German politics?

Essential Geopolitics: Germany's Government Collapse

Double exposure of abstract creative financial chart hologram on German flag and blue sky background.

Amid rising tensions over economic policy, Germany's fractious coalition government finally collapsed, opening the door to an early election. 

Economic Divides Topple Germany's Fractious Coalition Government

The U.S. and EU flags.

Cyber

Donald Trump's return to the U.S. presidency is set to disrupt trans-Atlantic relations, likely escalating trade tensions, weakening already limited cooperation on climate and tech policy, and straining EU unity on defense and support for Ukraine. 

What Trump's Return to Office Means for the European Union

Ousted French Prime Minister Michel Barnier formally presented his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron a day after his government lost a vote of no confidence in the National Assembly on Dec. 4, France 24 reported on Dec. 5.

France: Barnier Formally Resigns as Macron Looks for a Replacement

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier's minority government lost a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly, with 331 lawmakers voting in favor of a motion presented by the left-wing New Popular Front alliance, Le Figaro reported on Dec. 4.

France: Parliament Topples Minority Government in No-Confidence Vote

Niger

Iran

France's state-owned uranium miner Orano said Nigerien authorities had taken over the operations of its Somair mine, Le Monde reported on Dec. 4.

Niger: France's Orano Lost Operational Control of Somair Mine

Georgia

Georgia has seen five straight days of intense protests since Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on Nov. 28 that the country had decided not to begin its EU accession negotiations until 2028, BBC reported on Dec. 2. 

Georgia: Ruling Party Suspends EU Accession Talks Until 2028, Fueling Protests

The center-left Social Democratic Party emerged as the largest party in Romania's parliamentary elections, obtaining 23% of the vote ahead of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians with 18% and the co-ruling center-right National Liberal Party with 14%, Politico reported on Dec. 2.

Romania: Mainstream Parties To Retain Control of Parliament Despite Far-Right Gains

Preliminary results from Ireland's Nov. 29 parliamentary elections -- with only 12 out of 174 seats yet to be assigned -- indicate the ruling center-right Fianna Fail and Fine Gael parties emerged as the largest parliamentary bloc, securing 22% and 21% of the vote, respectively, The Irish Times reported on Dec. 2.

Ireland: Ruling Coalition Set To Claim a Second Term After General Election Victory

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier triggered Article 49.3 of the French Constitution to pass the social security financing bill for 2025 -- part of the government's budget proposal for next year -- without a vote in the National Assembly, paving the way for a no-confidence motion from opposition parties, Le Figaro reported on Dec. 2.

France: Government Forces Social Security Bill Through Parliament, Opening Door to No-Confidence Vote

Chad

Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby, in a televised address on Dec. 1, defended the decision to end the defense agreement with France, calling it "obsolete" and lacking relevance to current challenges, Reuters reported the following day.

Chad, Senegal: Two More African Countries Declare Plans to End Military Deals with France

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

France: Barnier Formally Resigns as Macron Looks for a Replacement

France: Parliament Topples Minority Government in No-Confidence Vote

Niger: France's Orano Lost Operational Control of Somair Mine

Georgia: Ruling Party Suspends EU Accession Talks Until 2028, Fueling Protests

Romania: Mainstream Parties To Retain Control of Parliament Despite Far-Right Gains

Ireland: Ruling Coalition Set To Claim a Second Term After General Election Victory

France: Government Forces Social Security Bill Through Parliament, Opening Door to No-Confidence Vote

Chad, Senegal: Two More African Countries Declare Plans to End Military Deals with France

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