Assessments

Europe

Germany

France

Spain

Italy

A photograph taken on March 16, 2023, shows Lake Serre-Poncon partially dry, near Embrun, in the French Alps. 

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Social Issues

Increasingly severe droughts and water shortages brought on by climate change will serve as a multiplier for Europe's energy, agricultural, industrial and socio-economic challenges. 

Europe's Scorching Summer and Warm Winter Portend a New Normal

United States

A red prohibition sign is superimposed over the word "ChatGPT" against a green background.

Western regulations against generative AI tools like ChatGPT may moderately slow the industry, but ongoing investor interest means these technologies will continue to develop.

Western Regulators Take Aim at ChatGPT

Angola

Mozambique

Republic of the Congo

Algeria

Egypt

Iraq

Lebanon

Libya

Tunisia

Turkey

Cyprus

Ukraine

Russia

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (2nd L) and Libya's Tripoli-based Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah (3rd L) attend an agreement-signing ceremony between Italian multinational oil and gas company Eni and the Libyan National Oil Corporation in Tripoli, Libya, on Jan. 28, 2023.

As Europe turns away from Russian energy, Italy positions itself as a natural gas conduit between the Continent and Africa.

With Energy Deals in Africa, Italy Positions Itself as Europe's Next Gas Hub

Snapshots

Japan

Greece

Belgium

Portugal

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Economist Pierre Olivier Gourinchas speaks during a media interview at the IMF headquarters in Washington D.C. on July 26, 2022, after the institution downgraded its outlook for the global economy this year and next. 

Economics

As the effects of post-COVID reopenings wane, rising interest rates and slower economic growth may prove particularly problematic for highly indebted countries like Italy.

After a Brief Reprieve, Debt Levels in Many Advanced Economies Are Set to Rise

Columns

On Geopolitics

Poland

Hungary

EU flags fly outside the headquarters of the European Commission on Feb. 23, 2022, in Brussels, Belgium. 

Politics

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Brexit, COVID-19 and the Ukraine crisis have increased the influence of southern and eastern EU members to the detriment of traditionally more influential countries in the north.

The EU's Shifting Balance of Power

Canada

United Kingdom

Officials from Germany, Ghana, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, the African Union, the European Union, France, the United States and Kenya participate in a working session at a G-7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Muenster, western Germany, on Nov. 4, 2022. 

The world’s most developed economies are generally poised to ride out the impending global recession -- with debt-ridden Italy being the one possible exception.

Assessing the Risk of Debt Crises in G-7 Countries

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and members of her newly appointed cabinet attend a debate in Italy’s Chamber of Deputies ahead of the confidence vote on the new Italian government on Oct. 25, 2022. 

Meloni's ruling coalition will pursue more protectionist policies but will still avoid any drastic changes that could jeopardize Rome's access to much-needed EU funding. 

What to Expect From Italy's New Right-Wing Government

Nigeria

Iran

A protester in Turkey holds a portrait of Mahsa Amini during a demonstration in support of Amini, a young Iranian woman who died Sept. 16 after being arrested in the Iranian capital of Tehran by the morality police. Anti-government demonstrations in Iran are likely to continue as anger over issues including police brutality, social restrictions and economic malaise motivates some Iranians to take to the streets. 

Military & Security

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

The Weekly Rundown: Protests in Iran, Campaign Season in Nigeria

A joint rally of Italy's right-wing parties Brothers of Italy, Lega and Forza Italia takes place at Piazza del Popolo in Rome on Sept. 22, 2022.

A likely right-wing victory is making markets nervous, but Italy's next government is unlikely to pursue drastic policy changes that could further destabilize the economy amid mounting uncertainty.

Previewing Italy's General Election 

The flags of the G-7 countries and the European Union are seen on June 28, 2022, in front of Elmau Castle in southern Germany during this year's G-7 Summit.

Whether the G-7 price cap succeeds hinges on global participation, but as participation rises, so do the odds of the West's nightmare scenario: Russian oil export curbs.

The More Successful the G-7 Oil Price Cap on Russia, the More Risk It Brings

Supporters of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) protest in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 27, 2022, as part of a nationwide strike among U.K. rail workers. 

European countries could see a wave of disruptive protests in the coming months as workers demand wage increases to keep up with the rising cost of living. 

Europe's Inflation Crisis Raises the Risk of Social and Labor Unrest

Switzerland

A photo taken on July 5, 2022, shows the dried-up river bed of the Po River in Italy's Veneto region. Water levels in Italy's largest river have reached record lows amid a severe drought.

Record-low rainfall is disrupting crop yields, energy production and trade flows at a time when European countries are already battling soaring food and fuel prices.

A Severe Drought Turns Up the Heat on Europe’s Economic and Energy Crises

Morocco

Austria

The energy ministries of Austria, Germany and Italy signed a joint letter supporting the designation of a hydrogen pipeline called the "SouthH2 Corridor" as a European Union Project of Common Interest, which would enable the project to receive public funds and fast-tracked permits, Reuters reported on May 9.

EU: Push for Hydrogen Pipeline Will Aid Bloc's Energy Transition

China

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reassured U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on May 4 that she intends to withdraw Italy's membership from China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by the end of 2023, Bloomberg reported on May 9.

Italy, China: Rome Reportedly Plans Exit From China's Belt and Road Initiative

Environmental groups Greenpeace Italy and ReCommon, as well as 12 Italian citizens from "affected regions," filed a lawsuit against Italian oil and gas company Eni over its past and future contributions to climate change, Greenpeace said in a May 9 statement.

Italy: Eni Faces First Italian Lawsuit Over Climate Change Liability

The Group of Seven (G-7) set stronger 2030 targets for renewable power generation but said, "investment in the gas sector can be appropriate to help address potential market shortfalls provoked by the crisis" as long as it is consistent with Paris Agreement objectives and does not create any lock-in effects of long-term gas consumption, Reuters reported on April 16.

Global: G-7 Further Weakens Language Around Natural Gas Investment, Backs Ammonia for Power Generation

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni invoked the country's so-called ''Golden Powers'' tool to block the Dutch cloud services provider Nebius from acquiring a small Italian tech company due to concerns over Nebius' links with Russian internet giant Yandex, Reuters reported March 23.

Italy: Government Blocks Russia-Linked Takeover of Tech Company

United Arab Emirates

Italy and the United Arab Emirates pledged to strengthen their bilateral relationship, particularly in the areas of energy and defense, and build a strategic partnership during a meeting between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, Reuters reported March 4.

Italy, UAE: Countries Upgrade Bilateral Relations to Strategic Partnership

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is traveling to Ukraine's capital Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and reiterate Italy's support for his country in the war against Russia amid tensions on the issue within her government coalition and divided public opinion in Italy, ANSA reported Feb. 21.

Italy: Prime Minister Meloni in Kyiv to Reiterate Italy's Support for Ukraine

The Italian government adopted a decree during a Cabinet meeting on Dec. 1 that will allow it to keep supplying weapons to Ukraine throughout 2023 without first seeking formal approval from Parliament for each new delivery, La Repubblica reported Dec. 2, citing government sources.

Italy: Rome Renews Ukraine Arms Supply Decree for 2023

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Luxembourg

South Sudan

A view of the Register in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Argentina

Armenia

Australia

Bahrain

Lithuania

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

Benin

Maldives

Malta

Belize

Botswana

Brunei Darussalam

India

North Macedonia

Tajikistan

Bhutan

Bolivia

Burkina Faso

Cambodia

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.

Brazil

Burundi

Finland

Israel

Nepal

Cameroon

Georgia

Jordan

Pakistan

Mir Castle in the Minsk region of Belarus.

Cabo Verde

Chile

Federated States of Micronesia

Kuwait

Liechtenstein

Sri Lanka

Central African Republic

Colombia

Fiji

Latvia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Chad

Costa Rica

Indonesia

Comoros

Cuba

Czech Republic

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

Cote d'Ivoire

Denmark

Dominica

Kiribati

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Oman

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

Laos

Palestinian Territories

Djibouti

Ecuador

Holy See (Vatican City)

Malaysia

Qatar

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Marshall Islands

Saudi Arabia

Eritrea

Grenada

Mongolia

<p>Italy is a peninsular country in southern Europe that borders France, Switzerland, Austria&nbsp;and&nbsp;Slovenia. Two independent states, Vatican City and San Marino, exist within its territory. The country is mountainous, with the Apennines stretching the length of the peninsula and the Alps acting as a natural barrier between Italy and its neighbors. It also has the two largest islands in the Mediterranean, Sicily&nbsp;and&nbsp;Sardinia. Italy&#39;s core is the Po Valley, one of the most prosperous regions in Europe and the heart of the industrial north. The southern part of the country has a more agricultural profile and has traditionally been less developed. Italy&#39;s capital, Rome, was once the heart of a sprawling empire, which stretched over much of Europe, North Africa&nbsp;and&nbsp;the Levant.</p><p>After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the late 5th century, Italy was fragmented into small kingdoms, republics&nbsp;and&nbsp;duchies. Italy&#39;s privileged position in the heart of the Mediterranean and the wealth of its economic centers made the peninsula a territory of constant invasion, from Germanic tribes in the 5th century to the French, Austrian and Spanish empires in the 18th and 19th centuries. Moreover, Italy&#39;s rugged geography led to the development of strong regional identities. As a result, the country didn&#39;t achieve political unity until the 1860s. Italy&#39;s main geographic challenge is to preserve its territorial unity and develop a relatively stable central government while dealing with strong regional interests and fractious political forces. The eurozone crisis has intensified this challenge.</p>

SITUATION REPORTS

EU: Push for Hydrogen Pipeline Will Aid Bloc's Energy Transition

Italy, China: Rome Reportedly Plans Exit From China's Belt and Road Initiative

Italy: Eni Faces First Italian Lawsuit Over Climate Change Liability

Global: G-7 Further Weakens Language Around Natural Gas Investment, Backs Ammonia for Power Generation

Italy: Government Blocks Russia-Linked Takeover of Tech Company

Italy, UAE: Countries Upgrade Bilateral Relations to Strategic Partnership

Italy: Prime Minister Meloni in Kyiv to Reiterate Italy's Support for Ukraine

Italy: Rome Renews Ukraine Arms Supply Decree for 2023

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