United States

Australia

China

Papua New Guinea

Economics

Energy

Military & Security

Politics

Tribal violence and a viral video depicting grim alleged acts of mutilation and cannibalism in Papua New Guinea have drawn global attention as the country prepares to celebrate its 50th independence anniversary with international leaders in 2025, BenarNews reported on Jan. 10.

Papua New Guinea: Tribal Violence Underscores Unstable Security and Investment Environment

Russia

The United States imposed some of its harshest sanctions yet on Russia's energy sector, designating over 180 vessels, Russian oil producers Surgutneftegas and Gazprom Neft, Russian maritime insurance providers Ingosstrakh and Alfastrakhovanie, and dozens of oil traders and other entities, The Washington Post reported on Jan. 10.

Russia, U.S.: Washington Steps Up Sanctions on Russian Oil Trade

South Korea

South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok said the government was open to restarting talks with striking doctors, including negotiating the medical school recruitment quota for 2026 "from a zero basis," Yonhap News Agency reported on Jan. 10.

South Korea: Government To Start From Scratch in Doctors' Strike Talks

Nigeria

Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar announced that Nigeria would expand defense cooperation with China regarding domestic weapons production and military training, The Punch reported on Jan. 10.

Nigeria: Government To Strengthen Defense Cooperation With China, Seek Expanded Yuan Currency Swap

Canada

The Canadian government is weighing several proposals to retaliate against potential U.S. tariffs on Canada, and one such proposal would be a dollar-for-dollar strategy that targets most products the United States exports to Canada, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 10. 

Canada: Ottawa Weighs Broad Retaliatory Tariffs Against U.S.

Afghanistan

India

Afghanistan's foreign ministry called India a "significant regional and economic partner" after Afghanistan's acting foreign minister met with India's foreign secretary in Dubai on Jan. 8 in the highest-level talks the two sides have held since the Afghan Taliban retook Afghanistan in August 2021, Reuters reported on Jan. 9. 

India, Afghanistan: Afghan Taliban Calls India 'Significant Partner' After High-Level Meeting

Europe

Armenia

Armenia's government under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian approved a bill that calls for the country to launch a bid to join the European Union, Reuters reported on Jan. 9. 

Armenia: Government Supports Bill To Launch Formal EU Membership Bid

Syria

At a U.N. Security Council meeting on Jan. 8, China's U.N. ambassador Fu Cong urged the new Syrian government to "fulfill its counterterrorism obligations" and prevent terrorists in Syria from threatening other countries, the South China Morning Post reported on Jan. 9. 

China, Syria: Chinese Envoy Raises Concerns About Uyghurs in Syria

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

Mozambique

Mexico

United Kingdom

Security personnel walk on a road with buses blocking an entrance gate to protect impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol from a possible second arrest in Seoul on Jan. 6. If Yoon is not arrested, the opposition could again seek to impeach the country's acting president due to his insufficient support for the arrest efforts, worsening foreign perceptions of political instability in South Korea.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Mozambique's President Takes Office, the U.K. Chancellor Visits China

Egypt

An exterior view of the building of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters is seen on March 27, 2020, in Washington, D.C. 

The partial privatization of state- and military-owned assets will increase Egypt's foreign currency reserves, but it will likely only somewhat boost productivity and business competition.

IMF Pressure Breathes New Life Into Egypt's Privatization Efforts

Angola

Cote d'Ivoire

Ghana

Kenya

Argentina

Brazil

Ecuador

Algeria

Iran

Iraq

Israel

Jordan

Kuwait

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Tunisia

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Taiwan

Ukraine

Belarus

Pakistan

World map on a dark digital background representing global communication and global finances.

Cyber

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

RANE's Top 10 Risks for 2025 highlights high-impact, low-probability risks and trends from the annual forecast presented in more extreme terms.

RANE's Top 10 Risks for 2025

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta, Guinea's President Alpha Conde, US President Donald Trump, African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina, Vice President of Nigeria Yemi Osinbajo and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn pose on May 27, 2017 in Taormina, Sicily.

The Trump administration's more zero-sum approach to countering Chinese influence in Africa may find some success but risks alienating several African states, potentially enabling China to strengthen its foothold.

What to Expect From Trump 2.0's Approach to Africa

The Port of Houston Authority is seen during a strike among members of the International Longshoreman's Association on Oct. 1, 2024, in Houston, Texas. 

A dispute over port automation, along with the impending transition from Biden to Trump, will hinder progress in newly resumed talks between U.S. longshoremen and their employers, creating the risk of a highly disruptive strike.

The U.S. Braces for Another, Likely More Disruptive, Port Strike

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Trade disruptions, shifting military conflicts and domestic political turbulence will shape global affairs in 2025. 

2025 Annual Geopolitical Forecast: An Excerpt

Venezuela

Lebanon

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro waits for the arrival of other heads of state of members of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America regional trading bloc during the XXIV ALBA-TCP Summit in Caracas, Venezuela, on Dec. 14, 2024. 

The Weekly Rundown: Inaugurations in Ghana and Venezuela, Yoon's Potential Arrest in South Korea

Columns

On Geopolitics

Cargo containers painted with Chinese and U.S. flags.

In this scorecard, we take a critical look at our hits and misses in forecasting geopolitical events over the past year.

Grading Our 2024 Annual Forecast

U.S.-China Relations

U.S.-Iran Relations

Protesters in Maputo prepare to burn a flag of Mozambique's ruling Frelimo party on Oct. 24, 2024. 

The growing economic toll of the unrest will increase the incentives for President-elect Chapo to reach a deal with opposition leader Mondlane, though this would risk triggering infighting within the ruling Frelimo party.

Mozambique's Post-Election Crisis Reaches a Critical Juncture

Abu Mohammed al-Golani (C), the head of Syria's leading insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, speaks during a press conference near Syria's northern Bab al Hawa border crossing with Turkey late on March 12, 2024.

Rival Gulf Arab states will pursue divergent goals amid Syria's evolving political transition, raising the likelihood of factionalism and resurging violence in the war-torn country. 

Gulf States' Competing Interests Could Disrupt Syria's Political Transition

Snapshots

The entrance of the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange is seen in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Dec. 17, 2024.

Although the government will likely announce more spending cuts, they are unlikely to eliminate investor skepticism, portending further macroeconomic instability.

How Will Brazil's Financial Crisis Evolve in 2025?

The Geopolitics of Water

Environment, Science & Technology

Water utilities are uniquely vulnerable to cyberattacks due to frequent financial and security limitations, exposing water-stressed countries to threats from hacktivists and foreign adversaries.

 The Geopolitics of Water: Cyberattacks' Impact on Water Stress in the U.S. and Beyond

Economics

SITUATION REPORTS

Papua New Guinea: Tribal Violence Underscores Unstable Security and Investment Environment

Russia, U.S.: Washington Steps Up Sanctions on Russian Oil Trade

South Korea: Government To Start From Scratch in Doctors' Strike Talks

Nigeria: Government To Strengthen Defense Cooperation With China, Seek Expanded Yuan Currency Swap

Canada: Ottawa Weighs Broad Retaliatory Tariffs Against U.S.

India, Afghanistan: Afghan Taliban Calls India 'Significant Partner' After High-Level Meeting

Armenia: Government Supports Bill To Launch Formal EU Membership Bid

China, Syria: Chinese Envoy Raises Concerns About Uyghurs in Syria

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