United States

Syria

Economics

Politics

U.S. President Donald Trump notified Congress of his decision to rescind Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, Reuters reported on July 8, citing an unnamed senior U.S. official.

U.S., Syria: Trump Moves To Rescind Syria's State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation

China

Environment, Science & Technology

After Typhoon Maysak killed dozens of people in China's Gansu and Hubei provinces the week of July 6, Typhoon Bavi -- expected to be upgraded to a super typhoon -- will make landfall in China on July 11, Reuters reported on July 8.

China: Super Typhoon Bavi Bears Down on Industrialized East Coast

Japan

Military & Security

The ruling and opposition parties in Japan's lower house of the Diet agreed to put the issue of amending the Imperial Household Law to a plenary vote on July 10, breaking a two-week impasse in both houses of the Diet, Kyodo News reported on July 8. 

Japan: Takaichi Defuses Diet Impasses, Revives Economic and Defense Plans

Colombia

Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella suspended the government transition process and accused outgoing President Gustavo Petro of plotting a coup, El Pais reported on July 7.

Colombia: Transition Suspension and Coup Plot Claims Underscore Heightened Polarization

Europe

Spain

At the opening of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had ordered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to immediately halt "all trade" with Spain, La Vanguardia reported on July 8.

U.S., Spain: Trump Orders Treasury To 'End All Trade' With Spain

Iran

Energy

The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control revoked the June 21 general license that allowed Iran to export crude oil as part of the terms of the June memorandum of understanding between the two countries, OFAC said in a July 7 statement published on its website.

Iran, U.S.: U.S. Revokes Sanctions Waivers for Iranian Oil Exports

U.S.-Iran Relations

Algeria

Algeria's election authority announced the provisional results of the July 2 parliamentary elections, with the pro-government National Liberation Front, Democratic National Rally and Future Front parties securing a total of 222 seats in the 407-seat lower house, giving the bloc a clear majority, TSA Algerie reported on July 6.

Algeria: Pro-Government Factions Win Provisional Parliamentary Majority

Indonesia

India

India and Indonesia advanced defense ties as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta and signed agreements for Indonesia to acquire BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Bloomberg reported on July 7. 

India, Indonesia: Governments Deepen Defense and Economic Cooperation

The world is connected, but even the broadest topics deserve an individual look. Below are our latest and most relevant economics analyses.

Below are our latest and most relevant economics analyses.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

Beyond Quantitative Easing

The New Silk Road

The Fate of the Eurozone

South America: Split Decisions on Trade

Banking

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

Social Issues

European Disintegration

Russia's Internal Struggle

China in Transition

A Japanese Awakening

East African Integration

Assessments

France

Journalists surround French far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen (center) as she arrives with National Rally president Jordan Bardella (third from right) for a campaign rally in La Fleche, France, on July 8, 2026.

With the launch of Le Pen's campaign, the National Rally appears set to win France's 2027 presidential election, signaling a coming policy shift toward EU confrontation and weaker NATO integration, though various constraints would temper implementation.

As Le Pen Returns to the Race, What Would a Far-Right Presidency Look Like in France?

Snapshots

Israel

People pass a large banner depicting U.S. President Donald Trump with a target on his head, during funeral ceremonies for Iran's slain Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at the Grand Mosalla on July 5 in Tehran, Iran. 

Global Trade

Recent tit-for-tat strikes between the United States and Iran signal the rising risk of a return to high-intensity regional conflict following the June 17 memorandum of understanding.


U.S.-Iran Truce at Risk of Collapse Over Hormuz Control Dispute

Morocco

The Geopolitics of Natural Resources

The state-owned OCP Group is accelerating domestic green ammonia projects and diversifying sulfur suppliers to secure its position as a dominant agricultural and diplomatic partner across sub-Saharan Africa.

Morocco, World's Leading Phosphate Exporter, Seeks To Mitigate Strategic Vulnerabilities

North Macedonia

Serbia

Croatia

Albania

Slovenia

Kosovo

Protestors hold national flags as they gather outside Albania's prime minister's office to oppose the construction of luxury resorts, in Tirana on June 25.

Driven by grievances like corruption and declining public trust, protests in the Western Balkans have evolved into deep challenges to ruling elites.


The Implications of Serbia and Albania's Massive Protest Waves

A thermometer reading a high temperature is shown over an image of Earth.

The compounding effects of the weather event and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz are set to drive global inflation and strain agricultural output well into next year.


How the 2026 El Nino Climate Event Will Affect the Global Economy and Security

Media

Cuba

Ukraine

Russia

Forecast Webcast

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2026 Third-Quarter Geopolitical Forecast.

2026 Third-Quarter Forecast Webcast

Columns

On Geopolitics

Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) and Premier Li Qiang attend a plenary session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People on March 9, 2026, in Beijing, China.

Beijing will prioritize employment and social stability over rapid economic growth in the coming years, pressuring businesses to boost hiring and expand benefits amid demographic pressures, rising youth unemployment and AI-related job disruptions.

China Plans To Stabilize Employment in an Age of Change

Cyber

A fragile truce in the Middle East, persistent energy-driven inflation, shifting U.S. trade policy and escalating regional pressures from Europe to Africa will collectively shape geopolitical risk in the third quarter.

2026 Third-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Canada

Mexico

United Kingdom

Cargo ships June 19 off the coast of the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal in Sharjah emirate, along the Gulf of Oman.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Japan's Takaichi Goes to India, an Unsteady U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

Lebanon

Oman

Maps4media-processed Sentinel-2 satellite imagery shows a broad overview of the Strait of Hormuz on June 16, 2026.

U.S.-Iran talks will face increasingly large obstacles as negotiators approach more contentious topics, namely Iran's nuclear program.

For the U.S. and Iran, the Hardest Negotiations Lie Ahead

The U.S. Treasury Department building in Washington, D.C.

The legal and geographical constraints of Washington's jurisdiction make freezing the assets of countries like Iran a far more flexible and effective diplomatic tool than outright seizure. 

American Financial Power: Freezing vs. Seizing Other Countries' Foreign Assets

Bahrain

Kuwait

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C, top) meets with GCC foreign ministers during his visit to the Middle East to discuss with Arab Gulf allies the interim deal between the U.S. and Iran on June 25 in Manama.

While Qatar and Saudi Arabia explore restoring trade ties with Iran, the United Arab Emirates is aligning its security with Israel and the United States.

Divergent Approaches to Iran Expose Gulf Arab Splits

Economics

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., Syria: Trump Moves To Rescind Syria's State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation

China: Super Typhoon Bavi Bears Down on Industrialized East Coast

Japan: Takaichi Defuses Diet Impasses, Revives Economic and Defense Plans

Colombia: Transition Suspension and Coup Plot Claims Underscore Heightened Polarization

U.S., Spain: Trump Orders Treasury To 'End All Trade' With Spain

Iran, U.S.: U.S. Revokes Sanctions Waivers for Iranian Oil Exports

Algeria: Pro-Government Factions Win Provisional Parliamentary Majority

India, Indonesia: Governments Deepen Defense and Economic Cooperation

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support