<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

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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

Columns

On Security

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Nepal

Fire rages through the Singha Durbar, the main administrative building for the Nepal government, in Kathmandu on Sept. 9, 2025, after youth protesters set fire to the building. 

Economics

Military & Security

Politics

Recent events in Nepal, Madagascar and elsewhere show how digitally coordinated, leaderless protests can succeed, but eventually face even larger challenges in sustaining the momentum for change.

Worldwide Gen Z Protesters May Be Disappointed With Their Success

Assessments

Chancellor Friedrich Merz raises his hand in a vote at the Bundestag prior to a vote on changes to Germany's Basic Law on March 18, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. 

A landmark reform of the constitutional debt brake unlocks significant new spending, but this fiscal boost will be dampened by persistent administrative bottlenecks and a political reluctance to seriously tackle broader structural reform.

Defense Spending Will Modestly Boost the German Economy, but Challenges Remain

Snapshots

Carles Puigdemont, leader of Catalonia's pro-independence Junts party, delivers a speech in southwestern France on July 27, 2024, during a meeting held to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the party's founding. 

The end of a political pact between the ruling Socialists and Catalonia's Junts party will make it even harder for Prime Minister Sanchez to govern and pass laws, which could open the door to an early election.

Spain's Political Problems Worsen as Government Loses Catalan Support

On Geopolitics

China

Ukraine

Russia

European Council President Antonio Costa and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrive for a meeting of the European Council on Oct. 23. The EU pursuit of geopolitical independence is being severely tested by Russia's direct security aggression, China's control over critical raw materials and competing economic pressures from the United States.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The EU pursuit of geopolitical independence is being severely tested by Russia's direct security aggression, China's control over critical raw materials and competing economic pressures from the United States.

Europe's Dual Challenge From China and Russia

Cameroon

Cote d'Ivoire

Tanzania

Argentina

United States

Japan

South Korea

Supporters of Argentine President Javier Milei's Liberty Advances (LLA) party wave flags during a campaign rally in Rosario, Argentina, on Oct. 23, 2025.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Argentina Holds Midterm Elections, Trump Travels to Asia

U.S.-China Relations

A massive flag of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of North Cyprus is seen on Dec. 28, 2023, in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Attempts by Turkey to coerce Northern Cyprus economically could inadvertently strengthen President Tufan Erhurman's support and his drive for federalization with the internationally recognized south.

Turkey Will Pressure New Northern Cypriot President To Abandon Federalization Talks

A photograph taken on Oct. 10, 2025, shows Dutch election posters ahead of the Netherlands' Oct. 29 elections. 

Political fragmentation points toward complex negotiations and an ideologically unstable coalition, most likely led by either centrists or the far right.

Netherlands Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

The Geopolitics of Trade

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Global Trade

The recalibration of the European Union's sustainability framework will ease near-term compliance burdens and costs for businesses but preserve long-term uncertainty.

The Geopolitics of Trade: EU Steps Back From Ambitious Environmental Policies

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Palestinians on Oct. 10 on Al-Rashid road headed toward Gaza City. U.S. President Donald Trump said he might visit the Middle East just as 20 hostages are meant to be released by Hamas after surviving two years in captivity as the White House pushes for the solidification of a frail ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: Trump Tries To Solidify the Gaza Ceasefire, a Presidential Vote in Cameroon

Outgoing French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu arrives to deliver a statement at the Hotel Matignon in Paris after submitting his resignation to French President Emmanuel Macron on Oct. 6, 2025. 

Lecornu's resignation leaves President Macron with few good options to ease the ongoing political gridlock over the budget, portending further market volatility, social unrest and, potentially, a fiscal crisis.

French Political Crisis Deepens as Another Prime Minister Resigns

Lawmakers in Italy's Senate granted final approval to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's proposed justice reform that would create separate career paths for judges and prosecutors, with 112 votes in favor, 59 against and only nine abstentions, Italian news agency ANSA reported Oct. 30.

Italy: Senate Approves Meloni's Flagship Justice Reform, Setting Stage for Politically Risky Referendum

The European Union is discussing an "in kind" tariff requiring Chinese exporters to supply critical raw materials to EU strategic stockpiles if the two do not reach a diplomatic solution to Chinese export controls on certain critical raw materials, Bloomberg reported on Oct. 31. 

EU, China: Bloc Considers Retaliatory Options as Critical Raw Material Talks With China Fail

Vietnam

Vietnam and the United Kingdom elevated ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, Vietnam's highest tier of relations short of a military alliance, the Straits Times reported Oct. 31.

Vietnam, U.K.: Hanoi, London Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Geert Wilders' far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) and Rob Jetten's centrist-liberal Democrats 66 (D66) are each projected to win 26 of the 150 seats in the lower house of the Dutch parliament after capturing about 17% of the national vote in the Oct. 29 snap elections, Dutch news agency ANP reported on Oct. 30.

Netherlands: Election Tie Leaves Door Open to Both Centrist or Right-Wing Coalitions

Romania's Ministry of National Defence said in an Oct. 29 statement that Bucharest and other NATO allies were notified of the United States' decision to reduce its troop presence in Romania and other European countries as part of a broader review of U.S. global force posture.

Romania, Europe, U.S.: Washington to Reduce Troop Presence in Romania

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during a business conference in Berlin that Brussels is "focusing on finding solutions with our Chinese counterparts" but remains prepared to "use all instruments in our toolbox to respond if needed" to Beijing's restrictions on rare earth exports, Politico reported on Oct. 25.

EU, China: EU May Use Anti-Coercion Tool, Announces Long-Term Diversification Strategy

Belarus

Lithuania temporarily closed Vilnius Airport and several border crossings with Belarus on Oct. 26 after multiple helium balloons entered its airspace, marking the fourth such incident in a week, Reuters reported on Oct. 27.

Lithuania, Belarus: Lithuania To Down Smuggler Balloons Amid Rising Border Tensions With Belarus

Belgium

EU leaders failed to agree on a 140 billion euro ($162 billion) loan to Ukraine backed by roughly 190 billion euros in frozen Russian state assets during a summit in Brussels, following Belgian objections, Reuters reported on Oct. 23.

EU: Belgian Objections Delay EU Decision on Using Frozen Russian Assets To Fund Ukraine Loan

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

Italy: Senate Approves Meloni's Flagship Justice Reform, Setting Stage for Politically Risky Referendum

EU, China: Bloc Considers Retaliatory Options as Critical Raw Material Talks With China Fail

Vietnam, U.K.: Hanoi, London Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Netherlands: Election Tie Leaves Door Open to Both Centrist or Right-Wing Coalitions

Romania, Europe, U.S.: Washington to Reduce Troop Presence in Romania

EU, China: EU May Use Anti-Coercion Tool, Announces Long-Term Diversification Strategy

Lithuania, Belarus: Lithuania To Down Smuggler Balloons Amid Rising Border Tensions With Belarus

EU: Belgian Objections Delay EU Decision on Using Frozen Russian Assets To Fund Ukraine Loan

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