Assessments

Uganda

Brazil

United States

South Korea

Portugal

Spain

U.S. and South Korean flags are waved March 10, 2015, in Seoul, South Korea.

Economics

Politics

Social Issues

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

The Weekly Rundown: South Korea's President Meets Biden, Lula Pushes Spain on EU Trade

Snapshots

Japan

Greece

France

Belgium

Italy

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. 

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

United Kingdom

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

Europe

The headquarters of the European Central Bank (ECB) is pictured in Frankfurt, Germany, on July 21, 2022. 

The bank’s laser focus on fighting inflation will come at the cost of economic growth, which will force the 19 countries in the currency area to step up fiscal consolidation efforts.

The ECB Tries To Keep the Eurozone From Entering Another Debt Crisis. Will It Succeed?

People visit the 1627 Pilgrim Village at "Plimoth Plantation," where role-players portray pilgrims seven years after the arrival of the Mayflower, in November 2005. 

North America Unrivaled

People protest against the reintroduction of COVID-19 lockdown measures in Rome, Italy, on Oct. 31, 2020. 

Environment, Science & Technology

European Disintegration

Unemployment levels will continue to increase in Southern Europe in the coming months, opening the door to more anti-government protests.

The EU Revises Down Its Growth Projections for the South 

COVID-19

EU: Regional Blocs

The Fate of the Eurozone

Germany

By jeopardizing one of the EU’s bond-buying programs, the decision risks increasing borrowing costs at a time of skyrocketing debt due to the COVID-19 crisis.

A German Court Ruling Could Trigger a Financial Crisis in Europe

A man wearing a protective mask in Locri, Italy. 

France, Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal will experience deep recessions long after the immediate health crisis, which could give rise to another wave destabilizing nationalist movements.

Southern Europe’s COVID-19 Crisis Is Just Beginning

2020 Second-Quarter Forecast

Europe is a continent riven by pockets of distinct cultures whose differences are all too often irreconcilable.

<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>

2020 Annual Forecast

High debt, labor market issues and rising global uncertainty risk cooling the economic expansion experienced in recent years by Portugal, which is led by Prime Minister Antonio Costa's Socialist Party.

After years of uninterrupted growth, Lisbon's high debt levels and an influx of trade uncertainty risk bringing Europe's economic slowdown closer to Portugal's shores.

Can Portugal Remain the Eurozone's Anomaly?

2019 Fourth-Quarter Forecast

Portugal’s governing Socialist Party obtained 41.7% of the vote in the Jan. 31 general election, ahead of the conservative Social Democratic Party with 27.8% and the right-wing Chega with 7.2%, Publico reported Jan. 31.

Portugal: Prime Minister Costa Reelected With Absolute Majority

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced the dissolution of the country’s parliament and a snap general election scheduled for Jan. 30, BBC reported Nov. 4.

Portugal: Parliament Dissolved, Snap General Election Scheduled for Jan. 30

Portugal’s parliament rejected the government’s budget bill for 2022 after left-wing parties broke ranks and sided against the ruling Socialist Party, Euronews reported Oct. 28.

Portugal: Government Loses Budget Vote in Parliament, Early Elections Possible

Portugal's ruling Socialist Party has won parliamentary elections, winning 36.5 percent of the vote to expand its share of seats in the parliament, Deutsche Welle reported Oct. 7.

Portugal: Socialist Party's Parliamentary Advantage Grows

Denmark

Estonia

Netherlands

Military & Security

The defense ministers of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Denmark and Estonia will meet in Paris in June to sign a letter of intent to support French President Emmanuel Macron's European Intervention Initiative, aimed at preparing European armed forces to take collective action in the face of emergencies, Politico reported May 2. 

France: President Pushes for Smaller EU Group on Security and Defense Cooperation

Divided EU Foreign Policies

Malta

Cyprus

Heads of state from seven of the European Union's southern members met Jan. 10 in Rome for the fourth Summit of the Southern European Countries, EUObserver reported.

EU: Southern Member States Meet, Express Joint Focus On Key Issues

Terrorism and Security

A forest fire in Portugal has claimed at least 62 lives, officials said June 18, BBC reported.

Portugal: Forest Fire Kills At Least 62

Security

Economics and Finance

The European Commission recommended July 27 that no sanctions be imposed on Spain and Portugal over their excessive deficits, El Pais reported. 

Spain, Portugal: European Commission Decides Against Sanctions

Afghanistan

Algeria

Antigua and Barbuda

Luxembourg

South Sudan

A view of the Register in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Angola

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

Egypt

Maldives

Ukraine

Belize

Botswana

Brunei Darussalam

India

Iran

North Macedonia

Tajikistan

Bhutan

Bolivia

Burkina Faso

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

China

Finland

Israel

Nepal

Cameroon

Canada

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

Lebanon

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Chad

Costa Rica

Indonesia

Libya

Russia

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.

Morocco

Cote d'Ivoire

Dominica

Kiribati

Moldova

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

Portugal is a country in southwestern Europe that is surrounded by Spain to the north and east and by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. Portugal also controls the Atlantic archipelagos of Azores and Madeira.    Mountain ranges run through northern Portugal, while hills and plains mark the center and the south. Because of its long coast and many islands, Portugal possesses the third largest exclusive economic zone in the European Union. Some of the longest rivers on the Iberian Peninsula, including the Douro and the Tagus, also enter the ocean in Portugal after flowing from east to west. These rivers have traditionally contributed to the prosperity of some of Portugal’s main cities, including Lisbon (the capital) and Porto (the second largest city).     Portugal’s position on the Atlantic has made the country a nation of sailors and explorers. It became a global empire starting in the late 15th century, establishing colonies and trading posts in places as diverse as South America, Africa, the Middle East, India and South Asia. While Portugal eventually lost control of all its colonies, it retains close economic and cultural ties with many of them, including Brazil and Angola. The country's rivalry with neighboring Spain, another colonial power, has ultimately fostered close ties between Lisbon and London.    Portugal entered a period of political turbulence and economic decline in the early 19th century. The country languished under a military dictatorship during a significant portion of the 20th century, only transitioning to democracy in 1974. The country subsequently joined the European Economic Community, the Schengen area and the eurozone. The financial crisis of the late 2000s hit the Portuguese economy hard, forcing Lisbon to request a rescue program from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.    The country's main geopolitical challenge is to reconcile its competing interests as a former colonial empire, Atlantic nation and member of the European Union to secure economic prosperity and political stability for its approximately 10 million inhabitants.

SITUATION REPORTS

Portugal: Prime Minister Costa Reelected With Absolute Majority

Portugal: Parliament Dissolved, Snap General Election Scheduled for Jan. 30

Portugal: Government Loses Budget Vote in Parliament, Early Elections Possible

Portugal: Socialist Party's Parliamentary Advantage Grows

France: President Pushes for Smaller EU Group on Security and Defense Cooperation

EU: Southern Member States Meet, Express Joint Focus On Key Issues

Portugal: Forest Fire Kills At Least 62

Spain, Portugal: European Commission Decides Against Sanctions

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