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United Kingdom

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech during a press conference on the country's climate policies at the Downing Street Briefing Room in London on Sept. 20, 2023. 

Environment, Science & Technology

Politics

By weakening its climate commitments, London is making a risky political gamble that could also harm the U.K.'s business and investment climate.

The U.K. Government Walks Back on Key Climate Pledges

Gabon

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Guatemala

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China

New Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo (R) and his vice president, Karin Herrera, on Aug. 20 in Guatemala City. In the aftermath of anti-corruption presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo's Aug. 20 runoff win, the attorney general's office sent a letter Aug. 23 to the president of Congress, Shirley Rivera, requesting the suspension of Arevalo's Seed Movement party in a bid to weaken the president-elect.

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: Political Uncertainty in Guatemala, a Potential LNG Strike in Australia

Paraguay

Israel

India

Pakistan

A general view shows a Knesset session in Jerusalem, Israel, on March 20, 2023. 

The Weekly Rundown: The U.K. and Paraguay Hold Elections, Israel's Knesset Resumes

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United States

Ireland

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks with the press before boarding Air Force One, as he departs for Northern Ireland, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on April 11, 2023. 

Military & Security

The U.S. president's trip is unlikely to end the province's political stalemate or improve its economic climate, meaning the risk of isolated episodes of unrest and violence remains high.

In Northern Ireland, Biden's Visit Comes at a Complex Time

Brazil

France

Belfast Harbour on Jan. 17, 2023, in Northern Ireland. U.S. President Joe Biden on April 11 will visit Belfast, Northern Ireland, to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

Economics

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The Weekly Rundown: Biden Travels to Northern Ireland, a Saudi-Omani Delegation Visits Yemen

Nigeria

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Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose during their Feb. 4, 2022, meeting in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive March 20, 2023, in Moscow for a three-day trip to Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking Russian officials. 

The Weekly Rundown: Nigeria Elects Governors, Xi Visits Russia

The Royal Australian Navy submarine HMAS Rankin during AUSINDEX 21, a biennial maritime exercise between the Royal Australian Navy and the Indian Navy, on Sept. 5, 2021, in Darwin, Australia.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Tracking U.S. Naval Power

The Weekly Rundown: The U.S. Hosts an AUKUS Discussion, China's Two Sessions End

U.S.-China Relations

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen hold a joint press conference at the Fairmont Hotel in London on Feb. 27, 2023, following their meeting. 

The agreement marks a key step in improving London and Brussels' post-Brexit relationship and trade ties. But in the U.K., domestic political risks could still lead to a crisis.

The EU and the U.K. Reach a Deal on Northern Ireland. What's Next?

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon holds a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh where she announced her resignation on Feb. 15, 2023.

The Scottish leader's surprise exit reduces the likelihood of any near-term movement toward independence and will eventually lead to questions about Scotland's strategy for secession.

What Sturgeon's Resignation Means for Scottish Independence

Trucks carrying goods are checked upon arriving at the port in Larne, Northern Ireland, on Jan. 17, 2023.

As years of negotiations over the Northern Ireland protocol enter the home stretch, technical and political complications could still trigger a disruptive trade war that neither side wants.

An EU-U.K. Deal on Northern Ireland Is Finally in Sight, but Obstacles Remain

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Germany

Ukraine

Two Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks of the German armed forces participate in the NATO Iron Wolf military exercises on Oct. 27, 2022, in Pabrade, Lithuania. On Jan. 20, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group of military equipment donors to Ukraine will meet at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where a breakthrough is expected regarding the supply of German Leopard tanks to Ukraine. 

The Weekly Rundown: Germany Discusses Tanks for Ukraine, the Lunar New Year Approaches

Poland

A Leopard 2 A6 heavy battle tank participates in a demonstration of capabilities during a visit by German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht to the Bundeswehr Army training grounds on Feb. 7, 2022, in Munster, Germany. 

The impending easing of the West's restrictions on tank deliveries could set a precedent that sees Kyiv secure more equipment it needs to continue resisting Russia's invasion.

For Ukraine, a Deal to Supply Western Tanks Could Unlock More Advanced Weapons

The British government announced that it will rejoin the European Union's flagship 95.5 billion euro ($103 billion) Horizon science research program, Reuters reported on Sept. 7.

EU, U.K.: Agreement Ends Dispute Over Horizon Science Research Program

The British government said it would proscribe the Russian mercenary group, Wagner, as a terrorist organization, Reuters reported Sept. 6. 

UK, Russia: London to Proscribe Wagner PMC as a Terrorist Organization

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appointed Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps to replace Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, who announced his intention to step down from the role in July, the BBC reported on Aug. 31.

U.K.: Defense Minister Ben Wallace Steps Down

Taiwan

The British Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee issued a report referring to Taiwan as an "independent country" and calling on the government to guarantee a more direct response to the military threat China poses to the island, Politico reported on Aug. 30.

U.K., China: British China Hawks Issue Controversial Report

Turkey

Turkey and the United Kingdom signed a deal to share information and increase coordination between their police forces in order to disrupt illegal migration from Turkey to the United Kingdom across the English Channel, BBC reported on Aug. 9.

Turkey, U.K.: Governments to Combat Illegal Immigration to the U.K.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced new carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects and hundreds of new oil and gas licenses for the North Sea during a visit to Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the Financial Times reported on July 31.

U.K.: London to Expand North Sea Oil and Gas Drilling, Water Down Climate Measures

Senior doctors from the National Health Service (NHS) in England announced two days of strikes on Aug. 24-25, dismissing the latest government offer of a 6% pay raise, Reuters reported on July 17.

U.K.: Senior Doctors to Strike Again After Rejecting Pay Raise Offer

Members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) gathered in Auckland, New Zealand, to finalize the United Kingdom's membership, Reuters reported on July 14.

Asia-Pacific: Impending U.K. Ascension to CPTPP Puts China, Taiwan on Agenda

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A view of the Register in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

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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.

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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.

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Mir Castle in the Minsk region of Belarus.

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

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<p>The United Kingdom is located in Northwestern Europe and includes the island of Great Britain, surrounding islands and part of Ireland. The country is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the Irish Sea and the English Channel. The rugged coastline &mdash; around 12,500 kilometers long &mdash; and surrounding waters, covering important oil and gas reserves, offer the nation protection; particularly from rivals in continental Europe. The United Kingdom&#39;s main geographic challenge is the integration of the British Isles. The rugged topography of the islands fostered the development of strong regional identities. Competing regions like Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland make it difficult to maintain control from the core region in the fertile lowlands around London. When British governments overcome domestic divisions, they can turn their attention outward. Control over the surrounding seas was vital for dominance of the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean, and from there, the development of the British Empire. Substantial coal and iron deposits along with an intricate river and canal system were among the factors that drove the country to lead the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s. The dominance of the Royal Navy gave Britain control of the oceans and global trade. The United Kingdom&#39;s detachment from continental Europe offers protection since a united European empire could challenge the country&#39;s independence. Having a voice in the European Union and strong military and economic ties with the United States help London counter this potential threat.</p>

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SITUATION REPORTS

EU, U.K.: Agreement Ends Dispute Over Horizon Science Research Program

UK, Russia: London to Proscribe Wagner PMC as a Terrorist Organization

U.K.: Defense Minister Ben Wallace Steps Down

U.K., China: British China Hawks Issue Controversial Report

Turkey, U.K.: Governments to Combat Illegal Immigration to the U.K.

U.K.: London to Expand North Sea Oil and Gas Drilling, Water Down Climate Measures

U.K.: Senior Doctors to Strike Again After Rejecting Pay Raise Offer

Asia-Pacific: Impending U.K. Ascension to CPTPP Puts China, Taiwan on Agenda

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