Israel

Palestinian Territories

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Military & Security

Politics

Hamas conceded to two major Israeli demands in ceasefire negotiations that would enable the Israeli military to remain in Gaza temporarily after the ceasefire takes effect, and Hamas also provided a list of hostages that it would release under the ceasefire, The Wall Street Journal reported on Dec. 11. 

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Hamas Concedes to Two Major Israeli Demands in Latest Ceasefire Proposal

United States

Qatar

Steve Witkoff, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's incoming special envoy to the Middle East, held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani separately in late November in a push for a Gaza ceasefire ahead of Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration, Reuters reported Dec. 4.

U.S., Israel, Qatar, Palestinian Territories: Incoming Trump Middle East Envoy Pushes for Gaza Ceasefire

The rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah agreed to form a committee of 12-15 politically independent technocrats to govern the Gaza Strip once the Israel-Hamas war ends, The Guardian reported on Dec. 3 following talks between the two groups in Egypt. 

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Hamas and Fatah Agree To Form Committee to Run Post-War Gaza

A U.S.-Israel panel will discuss civilian harm during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza in early December, AP reported on Nov. 19.

U.S., Israel: U.S.-Israel Panel on Civilian Harm To Convene in December

The U.S. State Department said it would not institute an arms cut-off to Israeli military units accused of human rights abuses, NBC News reported on Nov. 12. 

U.S., Israel: State Department Will Not Cut Off Arms Deliveries to Israel

Qatar suspended its role as a mediator in negotiations between Hamas and Israel due to a lack of progress in recent rounds, though it held open the possibility to resume its role if there was a willingness to end the war, CNN reported Nov. 9.

Qatar, Israel, Palestinian Territories: Doha Suspends Mediation Efforts, Reportedly Expels Hamas

Hamas and Fatah have reportedly agreed to form a joint committee to govern Gaza to facilitate humanitarian aid distribution and reconstruction following the latest round of negotiations in Egypt, though details of the agreement are unknown, The New Arab reported Nov. 4, citing a senior Hamas source.

Palestinian Territories: Hamas and Fatah Agree to Form Joint Committee to Administer Gaza

Hamas official Taher al-Nunu told Agence France-Presse that any short-term cease-fire with Israel was a "non-starter" without a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, The Times of Israel reported on Oct. 31.

Israel, Gaza: Hamas Rejects Short-Term Cease-Fire

Assessments

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

South Asia

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

Economics

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Social Issues

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

Lebanon

A fireball erupts from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 25, 2024.

To consolidate its gains, Israel will keep conducting targeted strikes against Hezbollah under the guise of ceasefire enforcement, fueling more tit-for-tat exchanges that could ultimately reignite full-scale hostilities. 

Will the Hezbollah-Israel Truce Collapse?

Iran

Iraq

Syria

Turkey

A child tapes a stick holding a Hamas flag during a demonstration in support of Palestinian resistance in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Jan. 12, 2024. 

Hamas' impending expulsion from Qatar will force the group to either relocate its Politburo or disperse its senior leaders across multiple countries, either of which would carry challenges.

With Its Welcome Worn Out in Qatar, Hamas Seeks a New Home Base

Smoke billows above Beirut's southern suburbs following an Israeli airstrike on Nov. 26, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. 

Mutual war-weariness and U.S. pressure have driven Israel and Hezbollah to accept a 60-day truce, though periodic tit-for-tat strikes could undermine the cease-fire and hope for a permanent one.

What to Expect From Israel and Hezbollah's Truce

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks to journalists in Riyadh before the first meeting of Saudi Arabia's new global alliance to push for Palestinian statehood on Oct. 30, 2024. 

Protracted regional conflicts risk undermining the kingdom's efforts to diversify its oil-reliant economy, normalize ties with Israel, and balance between Iran and its opponents. 

Saudi Arabia's Regional Strategy, Part 1: Balancing Between Iran and Its Rivals

Columns

On Geopolitics

An Israeli police officer stands near the remains of an Iranian missile on Oct. 2, 2024, near the Dead Sea, Israel. 

In gauging how the conflict will evolve, much will depend on the level of Trump's support for Israel and hostility toward Iran.

How the Israel-Iran Conflict May Play Out With a Trump Presidency

Japan

Sri Lanka

A ballot is cast in front of the Japanese flag. On Nov. 11, the country will select a prime minister and convene an extraordinary session of its bicameral Diet.

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 Selects a Prime Minister, Trump's Shadow Looms Over COP29

A billboard congratulating Donald Trump on his win in the U.S. presidential election is seen in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Nov. 7, 2024.

The return of a more like-minded U.S. president will embolden far-right members of Israel's government to advance their domestic and foreign agendas.

Israel's Far-Right Welcomes Trump's Return to the White House

Global Elections

Media

Podcasts

What does a Trump victory mean for the U.S. economy?

Essential Geopolitics: The Economic Outlook for the U.S.

Mexico

China

Ukraine

Russia

Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak during an election event in the early hours of Nov. 6, 2024.

Trump will place more tariffs on U.S. trade partners and reduce support for Ukraine, but he will largely maintain Biden's approach to the U.S. tech rivalry with China and the Middle East conflict.

Trump's Win Will Ripple Across the World

What is the significance of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's killing, and what role did he play in the organization?

Essential Geopolitics: The Trajectory of the Israel-Hamas War

Moldova

The first day of early voting in the Nov. 5 U.S. election Oct. 21, 2024, in Stamford, Connecticut. U.S. voters will select a new president, 435 representatives, 34 senators, and any number of state and municipal officials Nov. 5.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

SITUATION REPORTS

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Hamas Concedes to Two Major Israeli Demands in Latest Ceasefire Proposal

U.S., Israel, Qatar, Palestinian Territories: Incoming Trump Middle East Envoy Pushes for Gaza Ceasefire

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Hamas and Fatah Agree To Form Committee to Run Post-War Gaza

U.S., Israel: U.S.-Israel Panel on Civilian Harm To Convene in December

U.S., Israel: State Department Will Not Cut Off Arms Deliveries to Israel

Qatar, Israel, Palestinian Territories: Doha Suspends Mediation Efforts, Reportedly Expels Hamas

Palestinian Territories: Hamas and Fatah Agree to Form Joint Committee to Administer Gaza

Israel, Gaza: Hamas Rejects Short-Term Cease-Fire

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support