Ecuador

Economics

Politics

The International Monetary Fund reached a staff-level agreement with Ecuador to provide approximately $4 billion in funding under a four-year Extended Fund Facility, with the deal still subject to executive board approval, Reuters reported on April 25.

Ecuador: Government Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With IMF

Vietnam

Vietnam's National Assembly Chair Vuong Dinh Hue resigned from his position and his roles in the Central Committee and Politburo over unspecified "violations and shortcomings" likely related to the corruption of his subordinates, The Straits Times reported on April 26.

Vietnam: National Assembly Chair Falls in Anti-Corruption Purge

United States

China

Taiwan

Russia

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Chinese Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, Reuters reported on April 26. 

China, U.S.: Blinken Meets With President Xi and Minister(s) Wang

U.S.-China Relations

Russia's central bank held its key interest rate at 16% for the third meeting in a row and for the first time this year acknowledged that it will struggle to reach its 4% inflation target in 2024, as annual inflation is currently at 7.8%, Reuters reported on April 26.

Russia: Central Bank Holds Key Rate at 16%, Raises Inflation Forecasts

Europe

Environment, Science & Technology

The European Parliament approved the Net-Zero Industry Act, or NZIA, the bloc's plan to strengthen its green manufacturing ecosystem and bolster its production of the technologies needed for the energy transition, a press release from the European Parliament showed on April 25.

EU: European Parliament Approves Plan To Boost Green Tech Manufacturing

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

Law firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP asked U.S. technology company Apple to clarify the origin of the tin, tungsten and tantalum (3T) used in its supply chains on behalf of Congolese authorities, Reuters reported on April 25.

Congo: Law Firm Accuses Rwanda of Laundering Congolese Minerals, Threatens Legal Action

France

Military & Security

French President Emmanuel Macron presented his vision for a more assertive, autonomous and competitive European Union to be realized through a series of radical reforms to the bloc's defense, monetary and state aid policies during a speech at Sorbonne University in Paris, Reuters reported on April 25.

France: Macron Presents Radical Reform Proposals in Speech Over Future of the EU

The Standing Committee of China's 14th National People's Congress voted to adopt the Tariff Law, which will go into effect on Dec. 1, Xinhua News Agency reported on April 26.

China: Tariff Law Formalizes More Economic Warfare Options

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

An aerial view shows residential buildings under construction by Chinese real estate developer Vanke in Hangzhou, in eastern China's Zhejiang province, on March 15, 2024. 

Without productivity-enhancing economic reform, China's economic growth will likely continue to slow amid insufficient demand and continued over-investment.

Gauging the Risk of a Systemic Financial Crisis in China

Media

Podcasts

What are the biggest issues with the U.S. healthcare system, and how can we address them?

RANE Insights: Addressing Problems in the U.S. Healthcare System

Guests attend a naming ceremony for the Valentin Pikul black class tanker of Russia's Rosneft oil company on Sept. 11, 2023, in Bolshoi Kamen, outside of Vladivostok, Russia. 

Energy

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Russia's current economic challenges are unlikely to prompt Moscow to de-escalate in Ukraine this year or next, though a drop in oil revenues may eventually combine with other factors to change its calculations in the long term.

Reassessing Russia's Ability To Finance Its War in Ukraine

Snapshots

Singapore

A photo of Singapore's Parliament building against a cityscape.

Singapore's Incoming Prime Minister Brings a Fresh Face to an Old Regime

What role should social listening play in the mitigation of social risk?

RANE Insights: Understanding the Public Perception of DEI

Glass-like molecules float against a green and purple background.

The European Union's gradual adoption of green hydrogen will bolster its energy security and create new global energy relations.

Europe's Green Hydrogen Future, Part 2: Charting the Path

Nigeria

Nigerian naira banknotes on Jan. 28, 2016, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Despite the government's commitment to fiscal prudence and macroeconomic and currency reforms, economic conditions in Nigeria will remain challenging in 2024 and 2025 amid modest economic growth and high inflation, keeping the risk of socioeconomic unrest and policy slippage elevated.

Despite Reforms and Prudence, Nigeria's Economy Will Still Challenge the Government

France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal (C) speaks during the opening session of "Questions to the Prime Minister" at the French National Assembly in Paris, on April 3, 2024.

To right the sinking ship of France's public finances, Paris must implement unpopular economic measures that could lead to government collapse.

France's Budget Troubles Bode Ill for Macron Ahead of EU Elections

Belarus

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko gives a speech during his annual address to the Belarusian People and the National Assembly in Minsk on Jan. 28, 2022.

The upcoming All-Belarusian People's Assembly is poised to deepen Belarus' ties with Russia while also laying the groundwork for President Lukashenko's eventual succession process.

In Belarus, a Congress Will Lock in Integration With Russia -- and Lukashenko's Legacy

Mexico

Police guard stand outside the Mexican embassy in Quito, Ecuador, on April 8, 2024. 

President Noboa likely hoped the raid would show his commitment to combatting corruption, but it has only left his government with more enemies at home and abroad.

Ecuador's Raid on the Mexican Embassy Risks Backfiring on Its President

Japan

Philippines

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (center), flanked by two other U.S. officials, is seen during a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo (not pictured) on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly at the Lotte Palace Hotel in New York City on Sept. 22, 2023.

Cyber

A partnership between the three countries will likely improve freedom of navigation and economic security in the South China Sea, but may also raise the risk of trade disputes and conflict with China.

What To Watch for During the Inaugural U.S.-Japan-Philippines Summit

Forecast Webcast

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2024 Second-Quarter Geopolitical Forecast.

Economics

SITUATION REPORTS

Ecuador: Government Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With IMF

Vietnam: National Assembly Chair Falls in Anti-Corruption Purge

China, U.S.: Blinken Meets With President Xi and Minister(s) Wang

Russia: Central Bank Holds Key Rate at 16%, Raises Inflation Forecasts

EU: European Parliament Approves Plan To Boost Green Tech Manufacturing

Congo: Law Firm Accuses Rwanda of Laundering Congolese Minerals, Threatens Legal Action

France: Macron Presents Radical Reform Proposals in Speech Over Future of the EU

China: Tariff Law Formalizes More Economic Warfare Options

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