Nigeria

Economics

Military & Security

Politics

Several local governments in northwest Nigeria, including Safana in Katsina state, struck community-led peace deals with bandits to ease farming, herding and residents’ movements, Sahara Reporters reported on Aug. 12.

Nigeria: Northwest Local Governments Reach Peace Deals With Bandits Amid Ongoing Military Operations

China

India

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

In the latest sign of easing tensions between Beijing and New Delhi, China relaxed restrictions on urea exports to India, and the two countries are reportedly set to resume direct flights as early as September, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 12.

India, China: Eased Exports, Resumed Flights Show Continued Thaw in Relations

Kenya

Kenyan Finance Minister John Mbadi said Kenya's fiscal consolidation efforts "can't be pushed further" and that the government would instead seek to reduce the country's fiscal deficit by advancing privatization efforts, including through the planned sale of 149 billion shillings ($1.2 billion) in state-owned companies this fiscal year, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 11.

Kenya: Government Confirms Privatization, Securitization Plans To Curb Deficit, Finance Infrastructure  

United States

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order extending a 90-day period of reduced U.S. and Chinese tariffs by another 90 days to roughly Nov. 12, according to market newswire service Redbox Global on Aug. 11. 

U.S., China: Washington Extends Tariff Truce

U.S.-China Relations

South Korea

Vietnam

Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung agreed to expand bilateral trade from $86.8 billion in 2024 to $150 billion by 2030, signing 10 memorandums of understanding covering nuclear and sustainable energy, high-speed rail, finance and technology cooperation, Nikkei Asia reported on Aug. 11.

Vietnam, South Korea: Countries To Boost Trade, Investment and Defense Ties

Brazil

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed into law a bill relaxing environmental licensing rules but vetoed 63 of its nearly 400 articles, g1 reported on Aug. 8.

Brazil: Relaxation of Environmental Rules To Streamline Licensing Procedures, Despite Dilution

Nvidia and AMD agreed to pay the U.S. government 15% of their revenues from semiconductor sales in China to secure export licenses for their H20 and MI308 chips, the Financial Times reported on Aug. 10.

U.S., China: AMD, Nvidia Offer Revenue To Secure U.S. Chip Export Licenses to China

Ukraine

Russia

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the phone on Aug. 8 at Putin's request, according to China's state-owned Xinhua.

China, Russia: Beijing Pressures Moscow for Progress on Ukraine Ceasefire

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

Europe

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

Israel

Syria

Israeli military vehicles drive along the border fence into Israel, near the town of Majdal Shams, in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, on July 17, 2025.

While the two countries may engage in limited security cooperation, Israel's continued military interventions in Syria and the lack of U.S. economic pressure on Damascus will make full normalization nearly impossible.

Despite Recent Talks, Syria-Israel Normalization Remains Highly Unlikely

Palestinian Territories

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) looks at Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Nov. 30, 2018, during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet in the coming days.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

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

The Weekly Rundown: A Trump-Putin Summit, the Deadline for a U.S.-China Tariff Pause

Columns

On Security

Mexico

DEA New York special agent in charge speaks to the press in New York City on Feb. 28, 2025, after the former leader of a brutal Mexican cartel, Rafael Caro Quintero, described by the White House as the world's ''most evil'' drug boss, pleaded not guilty to narcotics charges in New York.

Despite the political and diplomatic risks, Trump is more likely than not to launch some direct operations against Mexican cartels before he leaves office, potentially ranging from light and sporadic U.S. drone strikes to more extensive ground operations.

The Outlook for Trump's 'War' on Mexican Cartels

An oil tanker train passes near a refinery in Guwahati, India, on March 30, 2023. 

Global Trade

For now, India will likely keep importing cheap Russian oil in the hopes it can soon secure tariff relief, either directly via a U.S. trade deal or indirectly via a breakthrough in U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine.

Will Trump's Tariffs Deter India From Buying Russian Oil?

A 3D modeled town in the shape of the Chinese flag.

Trade tensions will exacerbate China's excess savings problems, but the economic situation will remain manageable

Beijing Grapples With Deflation, Overinvestment as Tariff Pressures Mount

Bolivia

Bolivia's presidential candidates participate in a presidential debate in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, on Aug. 1, 2025.

Bolivia heads toward a political shift as voters prepare to oust the ruling left-wing MAS party amid economic woes, with right-wing candidates leading the polls ahead of pivotal August elections.

Economic Crisis Fuels Political Shakeup in Bolivia

Turkey

The new flag of Syria's interim government.

Parliamentary elections in September will cement Syrian leaders' power at the expense of many minority groups, deepening national fragmentation and heightening risks of violent unrest, particularly amid Israeli military intervention.

In Syria, Parliamentary Elections Will Deepen Political and Sectarian Divides

The Geopolitics of Trade

Cyber

Protectionist and security-driven data regulations are impeding digital and physical trade, potentially slowing global economic growth and innovation.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Diverging Digital Governance Threatens Data Flows

Cambodia

Thailand

Poland

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Oval Office of the White House on July 22, 2025. 

The Weekly Rundown: Last-Minute U.S. Trade Talks, a New Polish President

Snapshots

Maldives

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) shakes hands with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu upon meeting in Male on July 25, 2025. 

Improving relations will strengthen India's strategic foothold in the Indian Ocean, while granting the Maldives access to crucial financial support.

Modi Resets Ties With the Maldives After Its 'India Out' Campaign

U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to sign the GENIUS Act in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 18, 2025. 

The United States has passed its first major federal cryptocurrency law, boosting institutional interest, but broader public adoption remains constrained by regulatory gaps and ongoing risks.

Cryptocurrency Legislation Advances, Sets New Course for U.S. Cryptocurrency Landscape

Morocco

A researcher from the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) examines crops in a cultivated field in Morocco on April 18, 2024.

Despite a temporary boost in crop yields from spring rainfall, Morocco's persistent drought and structural water shortages continue to threaten its agricultural sector, food security and economic stability ahead of the 2026 elections.

Rainfall Boosts Morocco's Crop Yields, But Long-Term Water Crisis Persists

Economics

SITUATION REPORTS

Nigeria: Northwest Local Governments Reach Peace Deals With Bandits Amid Ongoing Military Operations

India, China: Eased Exports, Resumed Flights Show Continued Thaw in Relations

Kenya: Government Confirms Privatization, Securitization Plans To Curb Deficit, Finance Infrastructure

U.S., China: Washington Extends Tariff Truce

Vietnam, South Korea: Countries To Boost Trade, Investment and Defense Ties

Brazil: Relaxation of Environmental Rules To Streamline Licensing Procedures, Despite Dilution

U.S., China: AMD, Nvidia Offer Revenue To Secure U.S. Chip Export Licenses to China

China, Russia: Beijing Pressures Moscow for Progress on Ukraine Ceasefire

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