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France

French soldiers of the Barkhane force patrol the streets of Timbuktu, Mali, on Dec. 5, 2021.

Military & Security

Politics

In the wake of Niger's coup, France will be compelled to revamp its security strategy in the Sahel and West Africa at large.

What the Niger Crisis Means for France's Counterterrorism Strategy in Africa

Snapshots

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Hungary

Rail cars loaded with steel sit at the ThyssenKrupp Schwelgern steel plant on May 30, 2018 in Duisburg, Germany. 

Economics

The European Union and the United States will increase efforts to deconflict their trade and climate policies ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential and EU parliamentary elections, but lingering disagreements will not allow for a complete respite of Trump-era tariffs on EU steel and aluminum.

EU-U.S. Steel and Aluminum Negotiations Make Limited Headway

Senegal

Protesters hold placards denouncing ECOWAS on Aug. 3, 2023, in Niamey, Niger. While an intervention probably would topple the Nigerien junta, it could cause a regional conflict, boost jihadists and lead to a weak Nigerian civilian regime.

While an intervention probably would topple the Nigerien junta, it could cause a regional conflict, boost jihadists and lead to a weak Nigerian civilian regime.

How Might an ECOWAS Military Intervention Take Shape in Niger?

China

Russia

Nigeriens gather to show their support for President Mohamed Bazoum in Niamey, Niger, on July 26, 2023, after he was detained by guards earlier in the day. 

A successful military takeover of the civilian government could weaken Niger's ties with France and enable jihadists and countries like Russia to expand their influence in the country.

In Niger, President Bazoum's Detainment Fuels Fears of Another West African Coup

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne (front, left) meets with members of the government's newly reshuffled cabinet at a hotel in Paris, France, on July 24, 2023. 

The reshuffled government will prioritize rebuilding the infrastructure destroyed in the recent riots, but a controversial immigration reform could spur more political turmoil later this year.

What To Make of France's Latest Cabinet Shake-Up

Australia

India

French President Emmanuel Macron (right) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi walk past French Republican guards during a welcome ceremony before their meeting at the Chateau of Chantilly, near Paris, on Aug. 22, 2019.

India's rise as a major power and shared approach to curbing China's growing assertiveness will drive Paris to further deepen its partnership with New Delhi in the years ahead. 

Making Sense of France's Approach to the Indo-Pacific, Part 2

A French Navy surveillance frigate (center) and coastal patrol vessel (right) are seen moored in the harbor of Papeete, Tahiti, in French Polynesia on July 23, 2021. 

Through a combination of naval deployments and multilateral dialogue, France is seeking to secure access to its territories in a region that is increasingly at the heart of the global economy and U.S.-China tensions.

Making Sense of France's Approach to the Indo-Pacific, Part 1

U.S.-China Relations

Thailand

Ukraine

The Chandrayaan-3 lander. The Indian Space Research Organization is scheduled to launch its Chandrayaan-3 moon mission July 14.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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

The Weekly Rundown: Macron Welcomes Modi for Bastille Day, a UPS Strike Looms

Columns

On Security

Protesters run from launched tear gas canisters during clashes with police in Marseille, southern France, on July 1, 2023, after a fourth consecutive night of rioting over the killing of a teenager by police. 

Social Issues

Grassroots protests, like those recently seen in France, often develop like a fire -- emerging from some tinder, sparked by a catalyst incident and then growing into a flame before eventually dying out.

Reflecting on the Riots in France: Why Some Protests Turn Violent

Brazil

French police officers in riot gear stand guard and hold tear gas canister launchers next to the facade of a damaged Apple Store in Strasbourg, eastern France, on June 30, 2023.

The Weekly Rundown: Riots Rage On in France, Brazil Assumes the Mercosur Presidency

Media

South Africa

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Argentina

Chile

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Israel

Palestinian Territories

Turkey

Afghanistan

Pakistan

Podcasts

Cyber

What Q3 security risks should companies expect and prepare for?

Essential Geopolitics: An Overview of RANE's Q3 Forecast

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on May 23, 2023, in Beijing. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on June 18 will visit Beijing to meet with Gang.

The Weekly Rundown: Blinken Visits Beijing, China's Premier Goes to Germany

The French government announced that a new electric vehicle (EV) purchase subsidy scheme will be introduced in January 2024, Le Figaro reported Sept. 18. 

France: Paris Unveils New Emission-based Criteria for EV Purchase Subsidy Scheme

France's Conseil D'Etat approved Education Minister Gabriel Attal's decision to ban the abaya and the qamis, which are loose clothing items sometimes worn by Muslim pupils, from schools in line with the country's 2004 law on religious clothing in schools, Radio France Internationale reported on Sept. 7.

France: Top Court Approves Abaya, Qamis Ban From Schools

France opened talks with the Nigerien junta over the withdrawal of French forces from Niger, Le Monde reported on Sept. 4.

Niger: French Military in Talks With Junta Over Withdrawal of Troops

The Nigerien junta said French Ambassador Sylvain Itte does not have diplomatic immunity and that it authorized the police to expel him after canceling the visas of Itte and his family members, Reuters reported on Aug. 31.

Niger: Junta Orders Police to Expel French Ambassador

French President Emmanuel Macron said France's ambassador to Niger will remain in Niamey, despite the Nigerien junta's Aug. 25 demand that French ambassador Sylvain Itte leave the country within 48 hours, Reuters reported on Aug. 28.

Niger: Macron Says French Ambassador Will Stay in Niger Despite Mounting Pressure

Environment, Science & Technology

The French government unveiled the first 12 industrial sites involved in its plan to reduce water consumption in the country in an Aug. 21 press release.

France: Government Unveils List of First 12 Industrial Sites in Water Reduction Plan

The French Foreign Ministry announced that it would evacuate hundreds of EU nationals from Niger, which experienced a July 26 coup, aiming to complete the evacuation within 24 hours, Reuters reported on Aug. 1.

Niger, France: Paris to Begin Evacuating EU Citizens From Niger

Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, the chief of Niger's presidential guard, formally announced that he is the country's transitional leader and the president of the National Council for the Protection of the Homeland, a faction of the military that led Niger's successful July 26 coup, Jeune Afrique reported on July 28.

Niger: Coup Leader Announces Presidency, Opens Door to Western Support

Algeria

Antigua and Barbuda

South Sudan

A view of the Register in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Angola

Armenia

Bahrain

Covering an area that spans the entire width of the continent beginning at the Sahara Desert and ending at the southernmost tip of South Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to countless cultures, languages, religions, plants, animals and natural resources.

Barbados

Egypt

Maldives

Belize

Botswana

Brunei Darussalam

Iran

North Macedonia

Tajikistan

Bhutan

Bolivia

Cambodia

Iraq

The President palace in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

The administrative center of the Gakh region of Azerbaijan, located at the foot of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, on the river Kurhumchai.

Burundi

Nepal

Cameroon

Canada

Georgia

Jordan

Mir Castle in the Minsk region of Belarus.

Cabo Verde

Federated States of Micronesia

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Central African Republic

Colombia

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Costa Rica

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Japan

A horse grazes in front of Kara-Kul lake in the Chon-Ak-Suu valley, 300 kilometers southeast of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

Morocco

Dominica

Kiribati

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Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

Laos

Djibouti

Holy See (Vatican City)

Malaysia

Qatar

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Marshall Islands

Saudi Arabia

Eritrea

Grenada

Mongolia

<p>France is a country in Western Europe bound in the south by the Alps, Pyrenees Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. To the west and north is the Atlantic Ocean, and on its eastern border lies the river Rhine and the low mountains of the Ardennes, Vosges and Jura. Mountains, rivers and seas help protect France at all points but one: the North European Plain. As a result, France&#39;s main geographic challenge is safeguarding its eastern border on the path of this historic invasion route. The lack of internal geographic barriers contributed to France&#39;s social cohesion, which in turn led France to become one of the world&#39;s first modern nation-states. The Beauce region represents France&#39;s core. Its navigable rivers, warm climate, sufficient rainfall and fertile soils have made France one of the world&#39;s leading agricultural powers. At the extreme northern border of the Beauce region, where the rivers Marne and Seine meet, lies Paris &mdash; France&#39;s economic and political center. Paris&#39; strategic location on these rivers gives it administrative control of trading routes from the Beauce region to the rest of France and Europe In modern times, the most existential threats to France have come from its powerful eastern neighbor, Germany. Between 1871 and 1945, France and Germany fought three major wars &mdash; all on the North European Plain. After World War II, France attempted to contain Germany largely through the creation of the European Union. The economic and political crisis plaguing Europe has put France&#39;s containment strategy into question.</p>

SITUATION REPORTS

France: Paris Unveils New Emission-based Criteria for EV Purchase Subsidy Scheme

France: Top Court Approves Abaya, Qamis Ban From Schools

Niger: French Military in Talks With Junta Over Withdrawal of Troops

Niger: Junta Orders Police to Expel French Ambassador

Niger: Macron Says French Ambassador Will Stay in Niger Despite Mounting Pressure

France: Government Unveils List of First 12 Industrial Sites in Water Reduction Plan

Niger, France: Paris to Begin Evacuating EU Citizens From Niger

Niger: Coup Leader Announces Presidency, Opens Door to Western Support

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