<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

Benin

Burkina Faso

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Madagascar

Mali

Niger

Nigeria

Rwanda

Canada

Paraguay

United States

Venezuela

Egypt

Iran

Israel

Lebanon

Morocco

Palestinian Territories

Qatar

Syria

Turkey

Yemen

Australia

Cambodia

China

Timor-Leste

Indonesia

Japan

Mongolia

Myanmar

Philippines

South Korea

Thailand

Vietnam

Ukraine

Russia

Afghanistan

India

Nepal

Pakistan

Flight routes.

Cyber

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Military & Security

Politics

As 2026 approaches, we look back at the previous year and consider the top five patterns and trends as measured by geopolitical impact.

2025: A Geopolitical Review

Snapshots

Eurasia

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 28, 2025.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

While the U.S. and Ukrainian presidents have narrowed their differences on a 20-point peace framework, the Kremlin's insistence on full control of the Donbas complicates the prospects of a negotiated deal.

Ukraine Peace Deal Still Elusive Despite Trump-Zelensky Talks

Central African Republic

Guinea

The Bulgarian flag and the European flag waving in the wind.

Energy

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

The Weekly Rundown: Bulgaria Adopts the Euro, U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Persist

The Sevington Inland Border Facility on April 29, 2024, in southeast England. Rejoining the EU customs framework would require London to accept a common external tariff and strict regulatory alignment, meaning a successful negotiation remains unlikely in the short to medium term.

Rejoining the bloc's customs framework would require London to accept a common external tariff and strict regulatory alignment, meaning a successful negotiation remains unlikely in the short to medium term.

Despite Growing Calls, U.K. Unlikely To Rejoin EU Customs Union

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addresses the Bundestag on Dec 17 in Berlin. Persistent internal divisions and narrow parliamentary majorities are forcing the dilution of key economic and defense initiatives, undermining investor confidence in Germany's capacity for reform.

Persistent internal divisions and narrow parliamentary majorities are forcing the dilution of key economic and defense initiatives, undermining investor confidence in Germany's capacity for reform.

Deadlock and Dissent Leave Merz's Reform Agenda Floundering

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

South Asia

A container ship arrives Oct. 10 at the Port of Oakland, California. In 2026, political calculations among major global players will significantly shape international affairs.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

In 2026, political calculations among major global players will significantly shape international affairs.

2026 Annual Forecast: A Global Overview

A stock photo shows banknotes of the Russian ruble. 

The European Union using immobilized Russian assets to fund financial support for Ukraine will probably not have major reputational or financial consequences for the eurozone.


Using Frozen Russian Assets To Fund Ukraine Unlikely To Majorly Impact the Euro

South Africa

Chile

The Ukrainian flag is projected on the facade of Berlaymont, the European Commission headquarters, in Brussels on Nov. 18 to commemorate the Nov. 18, 2024, Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Weekly Rundown: A European Council Decision on Ukraine Financing, South Africa Braces for Commission Findings

A photo taken on Dec. 8, 2025, shows an armored vehicle at the entrance of a blocked road in Cotonou, Benin, near the headquarters of the state broadcaster Benin TV.

The coup attempt will increase political and security risks ahead of Benin's 2026 elections, while the swift, Nigeria-led ECOWAS intervention suggests Abuja is assuming a more assertive regional role with tacit French backing following Paris's troop drawdown.

Benin's Foiled Coup Signals Strengthening Franco-Nigerian Coordination in West Africa

Tanzania

Hong Kong SAR, China

Protesters help an injured demonstrator near burning barricades amid clashes in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Oct. 29, 2025. 

The Weekly Rundown: Unrest in Tanzania, an EU Summit in Ukraine

U.S.-China Relations

Estonia's Foreign Intelligence Service Director General Kaupo Rosin said in an interview with ERR on Dec. 29 that there is currently no indication Russia intends to attack the Baltic states or NATO and that Moscow appears to be scaling back provocations to avoid escalation.

Europe, Russia: Estonian Intelligence Sees No Immediate Russian Attack Risk to Baltics

The European Commission and the governments of France and Germany on Dec. 24 strongly condemned the Dec. 23 U.S. decision to impose visa sanctions on former European Commissioner Thierry Breton and four other Europeans, including leaders of organizations involved in digital regulation and countering online hate and misinformation.

EU: U.S. Sanctions Former EU Commissioner, Four Others Linked to Digital Regulation

Global Trade

On Dec. 22, the European Council officially extended the European Union's sanctions against Russia for an additional six months, until July 31, 2026, the institution announced. 

EU: Brussels Extends Sanctions on Russia for Further 6 Months

The conservative People's Party (PP) won the Dec. 21 Extremadura regional elections with 43.2% of the vote and 29 of the 65 seats in the region's legislature, up one from the 2023 election, El Pais reported the same day. 

Spain: Right-Wing Parties Perform Strongly in Extremadura Regional Elections 

Global Elections

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Uruguay

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Dec. 18 that the bloc's trade deal with Mercosur would not be signed as previously scheduled on Dec. 20, with the approval delayed until January 2026, Politico reported on Dec. 18. 

EU, South America: EU Announces Delay to Mercosur Trade Agreement

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said France would not be able to adopt a 2026 budget before year-end after a joint committee of senators and lower house lawmakers representing different parliamentary groups failed to reach a compromise, Reuters reported on Dec. 19.

France: Government Fails To Adopt 2026 Budget, Setting Stage for Temporary Rollover

EU leaders agreed to provide Ukraine with a 90 billion euro ($105 billion) loan over 2026-27, backed by the EU budget, after failing to secure consensus on using frozen Russian central bank assets, Reuters reported on Dec. 18.

EU, Ukraine: EU Loan for Ukraine Defers Use of Frozen Russian Assets

Nigeria will soon receive 24 M-346FA light fighter aircraft and 10 AW109 helicopters from Italian defense company Leonardo for $1.2 billion, Business Insider reported on Dec. 16.

Nigeria: Abuja Nears Delivery of New Italian Fighter Jets, Helicopters Amid Modernization Drive

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

Europe, Russia: Estonian Intelligence Sees No Immediate Russian Attack Risk to Baltics

EU: U.S. Sanctions Former EU Commissioner, Four Others Linked to Digital Regulation

EU: Brussels Extends Sanctions on Russia for Further 6 Months

Spain: Right-Wing Parties Perform Strongly in Extremadura Regional Elections

EU, South America: EU Announces Delay to Mercosur Trade Agreement

France: Government Fails To Adopt 2026 Budget, Setting Stage for Temporary Rollover

EU, Ukraine: EU Loan for Ukraine Defers Use of Frozen Russian Assets

Nigeria: Abuja Nears Delivery of New Italian Fighter Jets, Helicopters Amid Modernization Drive

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