United States

Syria

Economics

Politics

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf said the United States would scrap its $10 million bounty on Abu Mohammed al-Golani, Syria's de facto transitional leader and the head of Turkey-backed Syrian militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, after a meeting between the two, the Financial Times reported on Dec. 20. 

Syria: U.S. To Remove $10M Bounty on Syria's Transitional Leader

Australia

China

China lifted its four-year import ban on Australian rock lobsters, China's final blanket ban on Australian imports after bans ended on coal, barley, wine and beef, The Wall Street Journal reported on Dec. 20.

China, Australia: Beijing Lifts Lobster Import Restrictions on Canberra, Ending Final Blanket Ban

Kenya

Kenyan President William Ruto nominated several allies of former President Uhuru Kenyatta to key ministerial positions as part of a Cabinet reshuffle, Business Daily Africa reported on Dec. 19. 

Kenya: President Ruto Nominates Allies of Former President Kenyatta in Cabinet Reshuffle

Russia

Russia's central bank unexpectedly left its key interest rate at 21%, despite high inflation of 9.5%, The Wall Street Journal reported on Dec. 20.

Russia: Central Bank Unexpectedly Leaves Key Rate at 21%

Pakistan

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan announced plans to urge overseas Pakistanis -- one of his key support bases -- to halt remittances unless the government fulfills his party's demands by Dec. 22, Arab News reported on Dec. 19.

Pakistan: Remittances May Decline if Opposition Demands Remain Unmet by Dec. 22

Mozambique

South Africa

South Africa's international relations minister, Ronald Lamola, and Mozambique's minister of interior, Pascoal Ronda, agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation to mitigate disruptions to trade between the two countries caused by Mozambique's postelection unrest, Daily Maverick reported on Dec. 18. 

South Africa, Mozambique: Ministers Vow Stronger Cooperation To Mitigate Trade Disruptions

Nigeria

Energy

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu presented a 49.7 trillion naira ($31.9 billion) 2025 budget to Nigeria's National Assembly, Bloomberg reported on Dec. 18. 

Nigeria: President Tinubu Presents 2025 Budget

Jordan

Military & Security

The Jaber border crossing in Jordan began to receive trucks from Syria for the first time since Dec. 6, Al Jazeera reported on Dec. 18.

Syria, Jordan: Jordan Reopens Key Crossing Into 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

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

Snapshots

Increased EU purchases of U.S. fossil fuels may ease trade tensions and facilitate talks with the incoming Trump administration, but they are unlikely to alone defuse the risk of tariffs and other trade disputes in the years ahead.

Can the EU Avoid Trump's Tariffs by Importing More U.S. Oil and Gas?

Assessments

Cargo containers painted with Chinese and U.S. flags. Trade disruptions, shifting military conflicts and domestic political turbulence will shape global affairs in 2025.

Cyber

Environment, Science & Technology

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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

2025 Annual Forecast: A Global Overview

U.S.-China Relations

U.S.-Iran Relations

Argentina

President of Argentina Javier Milei speaks during a joint declaration with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni (not in frame) on Nov. 20, 2024, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

Despite rising poverty and protests, Argentina's President Javier Milei will maintain enough support in 2025 to advance economic reforms that stabilize inflation, attract investment and gradually ease capital controls.

What to Expect From Argentina After Milei's First Year in Office 

Bolivia

Brazil

Paraguay

Uruguay

Germany

France

(From left to right) Argentine President Javier Milei, Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Paraguayan President Santiago Pena pose for a photo during the Mercosur summit in Montevideo on Dec. 6, 2024. 

The agreement offers significant market access and diversification opportunities for both trade blocs, but it also faces a complex ratification process and potential political backlash in Europe.

25 Years in the Making: Reviewing the EU-Mercosur Trade Deal

Chart of stock market investment trading on blue background.

Economic coercion is becoming more prevalent in international politics, with certain countries leveraging their economic power to pursue political goals. 

Economic Power in International Politics

Ghana

Iran

Turkey

South Korea

Protesters call for the ouster of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol outside the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 6, 2024.

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

The Weekly Rundown: An Impeachment Vote in South Korea, Syria's Government Wavers

A voter casts their ballot in a voting booth in Ghana in June 2020.

An opposition victory would likely see the new government prioritize boosting the manufacturing sector and easing fiscal consolidation, while a ruling party victory would raise the risk of post-election violence.

Previewing Ghana's General Elections

Global Elections

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier delivers a speech at the National Assembly, the French Parliament's lower house, in Paris on Dec. 2, 2024.

France faces heightened political instability as no-confidence votes threaten the government following Prime Minister Barnier's use of Article 49.3 to pass the 2025 budget without parliamentary approval.

Barnier's Budget Gambit Triggers Political Showdown in French Parliament

Rebel fighters pose for a picture on a tank on a road leading to Syria's northwestern Idlib province on Nov. 30, 2024. 

The resurgence of Turkish-backed rebels in northern Syria will escalate the 13-year war and could eventually destabilize the al-Assad government by exacerbating its myriad economic and security challenges.

Syria's Frozen Civil War Heats Up As Rebels Seize Aleppo

United Kingdom

Portugal

Spain

People visit the 1627 Pilgrim Village at "Plimoth Plantation," where role-players portray pilgrims seven years after the arrival of the Mayflower, in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

On Thanksgiving, the United States celebrates the Plymouth Colony. However, few know that New England's colonization was a response to major geopolitical pressures -- particularly England's struggle against the Spanish both on the Continent and in the New World.

Thanksgiving and Puritan Geopolitics in the Americas

Israel

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Fighters loyal to Yemen's Houthi group chant in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 21, 2024, during a military parade marking the anniversary of the Houthis’ 2014 takeover of the capital.

The Houthis' economic vulnerabilities, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates' desire to avoid being re-entangled in Yemen's decade-long civil war, will reduce the risk of a major escalation in Yemen. 

Gulf States Work to Avoid Major Escalation With Yemen’s Houthis

Canada

Mexico

NYSE workers during morning trading Nov. 26 in New York. Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump is unlikely to place large tariffs on Canada and Mexico immediately upon taking office, but the mere threat to do so will likely chill investment in North America amid growing uncertainty about U.S. trade policy.

Though tariffs are unlikely, threats alone will likely chill investment amid growing uncertainty about U.S. trade policy.

Trump's Tariff Threats Alone Likely to Chill North American Investment

Economics

SITUATION REPORTS

Syria: U.S. To Remove $10M Bounty on Syria's Transitional Leader

China, Australia: Beijing Lifts Lobster Import Restrictions on Canberra, Ending Final Blanket Ban

Kenya: President Ruto Nominates Allies of Former President Kenyatta in Cabinet Reshuffle

Russia: Central Bank Unexpectedly Leaves Key Rate at 21%

Pakistan: Remittances May Decline if Opposition Demands Remain Unmet by Dec. 22

South Africa, Mozambique: Ministers Vow Stronger Cooperation To Mitigate Trade Disruptions

Nigeria: President Tinubu Presents 2025 Budget

Syria, Jordan: Jordan Reopens Key Crossing Into Syria

Forecasts

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