United States

Yemen

Military & Security

The United States struck Yemen's Ras Isa fuel port on April 17, reportedly killing at least 58 individuals and wounding 126 more, The Guardian reported on April 18.

U.S., Yemen: U.S. Conducts One of Its Deadliest Attacks on the Houthis

Russia

Afghanistan

Politics

Russia's Supreme Court suspended the country's formal designation of the Afghan Taliban as a "terrorist organization," months after Russian lawmakers in December 2024 passed legislation enabling courts to lift such designations, AP reported on April 17.

Afghanistan, Russia: Russia Suspends Afghan Taliban's Terrorist Designation

Somalia

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi publicly criticized Sivuyile Bam, the acting head of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), labeling him a "threat to Somalia's development and security" and accusing him of sympathizing with the militant group al Shabaab, Garowe Online reported on April 18. 

Somalia: Minister Accuses AU Mission Head of Bias Amid Escalating al Shabaab Threat

Colombia

The Colombian government and a remaining faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, did not reach an agreement to extend a ceasefire, El Pais reported on April 17. 

Colombia: Government Increasingly Shifts From 'Total Peace' to Confrontation

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

The Africa Adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, Massad Boulos, called on Rwanda to halt all military support to the M23 rebel group and withdraw its troops from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, adding that the United States was considering "all economic and diplomatic means to promote peace" in the region, Bloomberg reported on April 17. 

Congo, Rwanda: U.S. Hints at Further Pressure on Rwanda as M23 Shows Signs of Weakness

Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The United States gave its allies a draft outline of a deal to de-escalate the Russia-Ukraine war that would let Russia maintain its occupied territories in Ukraine and offer sanctions relief if an initial ceasefire holds, Bloomberg reported on April 18.

Ukraine, U.S.: Washington Proposes De-Escalation Framework, Rubio Threatens To Abandon Mediation

Nigeria

Thousands of suspected members of Jama'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihad, more commonly known by the acronym JAS or as Boko Haram, were reportedly arrested in Nigeria's Lagos state over an unspecified period, according to Kumar Sanda, former commander of the country's civilian joint task force, Sahara Reporters reported on April 17. 

Nigeria: 'Thousands' of Suspected JAS Militants Arrested in Lagos

Estonia

Environment, Science & Technology

Estonia's parliament approved legislation expanding the Estonian Defense Forces' authority to use force against foreign civilian vessels that threaten submarine cables, and the new legislation also seeks to clarify the chain of command and accountability for such actions, Estonian public broadcaster ERR reported on April 17. 

Estonia: Navy Gains Authority To Attack Merchant Vessels Threatening Maritime Infrastructure

The world is connected, but even the broadest topics deserve an individual look. Below are our latest and most relevant military analyses. 

Below are our latest and most relevant military analyses. 

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

The Syrian Civil War

The Yemen Civil War

The Libyan Civil War

The Fight Against the Islamic State

The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

The India-Pakistan Rivalry

Cyber

The Ukraine Conflict

Tracking U.S. Naval Power

The Battle for Mosul

Rebalancing Power in the Middle East

Coping With a Nuclear North Korea

The Jihadist Wars

Echoes of the Cold War

Instability in Central Asia

South Asian Militancy

Pakistan: A Military With a Country

Assessments

Iran

Iraq

Mock drones and missiles are displayed at an exhibition on Nov. 13, 2024, in Sanaa, Yemen. 

Recent actions by Iran and its Iraqi proxies appear designed to appease the U.S. as the Trump administration weighs taking aggressive military action against them both.

To Placate the U.S., Iran Temporarily Scales Back Its Regional Proxy Strategy

U.S.-Iran Relations

Australia

Australian Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) debates Liberal opposition leader Peter Dutton on April 8, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. 

Economics

While another Labor government would portend domestic and foreign policy continuity, a victory by the Liberal-National coalition would signal a shift toward fiscal austerity, loosened energy regulations, expanded defense spending and stricter immigration regulations.

Australia's Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

Ecuador

Cambodia

China

Malaysia

Vietnam

Italy

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the closing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, China, on March 11, 2025. 

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

The Weekly Rundown: Xi Tours Southeast Asia, Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Begin

Columns

On Geopolitics

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Poland

Spain

NATO military forces during static display after the Steadfast Dart 2025 military exercises at the Smardan Training Area in Smardan, Romania, on Feb. 19, 2025. 

Europe is increasingly focused on achieving greater strategic autonomy in defense, but internal divisions and material constraints will plague this quest, even as the United States' role on the Continent continues to shrink, meaning NATO will likely remain the cornerstone of Europe’s security architecture. 

The Future of Transatlantic Security Cooperation, Part 2: The View From Europe

Taiwan

Taiwan's President Lai inspects troops taking part in the Rapid Response Exercise at the Songshan military airbase in Taipei on March 21, 2025.

Lai's policies to defend sovereignty and curb Chinese influence are prompting greater coercive pressure from Beijing.

In Taiwan, President Lai's Actions Toward China Will Speak Louder Than His Words

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Armenia's foreign minister (2nd R) speaks during a meeting with his Azerbaijani and Kazakh counterparts in Almaty on May 10, 2024. 

A peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan is edging closer, but political delays in Yerevan postpone its implementation and leave the risk of renewed border tensions unresolved.

Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Deal Progresses, Though Hurdles Remain

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Palestinian men walk amidst the rubble of a destroyed building following an Israeli strike on a residential area of Gaza City on April 9, 2025. 

Israel-Hamas Conflict

With the U.S.'s tacit support, Israel will likely keep expanding its military operations in Gaza in the hopes of pressuring both Hamas and local civilians there to leave, thereby making it easier to reoccupy the Strip.

To Secure Gaza, Israel Pursues a Strategy of Occupation and Displacement

The outcome of Ecuador's presidential run-off will determine the risk of gridlock, social spending levels, debt risks and efforts to combat violent crime; as both candidates have left the door open to disputing the outcome, a political crisis is also possible

Ecuador Holds Its Presidential Election Run-off 

Energy

Global Trade

Rising tensions between the U.S., Israel and Iran are increasing the risk of direct strikes on Iranian territory and potential retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to disrupt global oil flows and destabilize energy markets.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Security Threats in the Strait of Hormuz and Likely Strategies

South Africa

A list of countries facing reciprocal tariffs on display April 2 at the White House.

The Weekly Rundown: The Escalating Global Trade War, South Africa's Coalition Government on the Brink

U.S.-China Relations

Snapshots

Chad

Sudan

A photo of Khartoum, Sudan, with columns of smoke rising in the background.

The SAF's military victory in Khartoum marks a turning point in the country's civil war, but a firm resolution remains out of reach as the RSF fights to consolidate control in the west.

What Next for Sudan After the Army Retakes Khartoum?

Media

Canada

Mexico

Philippines

Forecast Webcast

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2025 Second-Quarter Forecast.

2025 Second-Quarter Forecast Webcast

Military & Security

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., Yemen: U.S. Conducts One of Its Deadliest Attacks on the Houthis

Afghanistan, Russia: Russia Suspends Afghan Taliban's Terrorist Designation

Somalia: Minister Accuses AU Mission Head of Bias Amid Escalating al Shabaab Threat

Colombia: Government Increasingly Shifts From 'Total Peace' to Confrontation

Congo, Rwanda: U.S. Hints at Further Pressure on Rwanda as M23 Shows Signs of Weakness

Ukraine, U.S.: Washington Proposes De-Escalation Framework, Rubio Threatens To Abandon Mediation

Nigeria: 'Thousands' of Suspected JAS Militants Arrested in Lagos

Estonia: Navy Gains Authority To Attack Merchant Vessels Threatening Maritime Infrastructure

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