United States

Iran

Armenia

Russia

Economics

Energy

Politics

Armenia and the United States signed a joint statement on the completion of negotiations on a civil nuclear cooperation agreement during U.S. Vice President JD Vance's visit to Yerevan, Reuters reported on Feb. 9. 

Armenia, U.S.: Washington Deepens Armenia Ties With Nuclear Deal During Vance Visit

Hong Kong SAR, China

China

United Kingdom

Military & Security

A Hong Kong national security court sentenced the 78-year-old media tycoon and British dual-citizen Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison on charges of foreign collusion and sedition, Reuters reported on Feb. 8.

Hong Kong: Lai Case Shows Political Assimilation and Will Strain U.S., U.K. Ties

Cambodia

Thailand

Thailand's ruling conservative Bhumjaithai Party won the Feb. 8 elections by securing 193 out of 500 seats in the House of Representatives (up from 71), while the left-wing People's Party won 118 (down from 151), the populist, center-left Pheu Thai Party won 74 (down from 141), and the new, military-aligned Kla Tham won 58, Reuters reported on Feb. 9. 

Thailand: Bhumjaithai Election Victory Stabilizes Politics, Empowers Military

Somalia

Egypt

Israel

Saudi Arabia

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

Saudi Arabia's and Somalia's defense ministers signed a new defense agreement on the sidelines of the World Defense Show in Riyadh on Feb. 9, the two governments said.

Saudi Arabia, Somalia: Defense Agreement Will Bolster Somalia's Capabilities

Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

In an interview with TV BRICS, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia sees no "bright future" for economic relations with the United States despite ongoing U.S.-brokered efforts to end the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported on Feb. 9.

Russia, U.S.: Moscow Downplays Economic Reset as Talks Stall

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, aged 70, declared his intention to run for a third term in office in the June 2026 general election, Garowe Online reported on Feb. 8.

Somalia: President Confirms Bid for Controversial Third Term

India

Indian opposition political parties and farmers' unions pledged to carry out protests over the coming days, including a strike on Feb. 12, to oppose the India-U.S. trade deal, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 9.

India: Opposition Parties, Farmers Pledge Protests After Interim Deal's Framework Announced

Palestinian Territories

The Israeli Security Cabinet approved measures to expand Israeli administration over some religious sites in the West Bank, expand Israeli oversight and enforcement in some Palestinian Authority-administered areas, and remove restrictions that prevent private Jewish citizens from purchasing land in the West Bank, Reuters reported on Feb. 8.

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Israeli Security Cabinet Approves Measures To Facilitate West Bank Settlement

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

Below are our latest and most relevant politics analyses.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

The Post-Apartheid Era Ends

Venezuela's Unraveling

The Saudi Survival Strategy

The Kurdish Struggle

Israel's Survival Strategy

Turkey's Resurgence

EU: Regional Blocs

Divided EU Foreign Policies

Brexit

Old Leaders in a New Africa

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

The Pulse of Political Islam

Broken Contracts in the Middle East

Russia's Internal Struggle

China in Transition

Southeast Asia: Burdened by Consensus

India's Own Worst Enemy

Pakistan: A Military With a Country

Snapshots

Japan

Japanese Prime Minister and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Sanae Takaichi reacts as she speaks with media on the day of lower house elections at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2026. 

The LDP's decisive lower house victory will enable Prime Minister Takaichi to boost social and defense spending and strengthen ties with the U.S., though at the expense of Japan’s relations with China and South Korea.

Election Landslide Stabilizes Japanese Politics, Cements Defense Modernization

Tunisia

Supporters of Tunisia's General Labour Union (UGTT) wave the national flag during a rally in Tunis on Aug. 21, 2025.

If the UGTT fails to resolve internal disputes and stage an effective national strike, President Saied will likely launch an expanded crackdown that further weakens the powerful labor union and, consequently, its private-sector bargaining power.

In Tunisia, UGTT Infighting Risks Playing Into President Saied's Hands

Media

Bangladesh

Podcasts

What major challenges will the incoming government face?

What To Expect From Bangladesh's Upcoming Elections

Assessments

Campaign posters Feb. 6 of candidates running in the upcoming Japanese House of Representatives election, in Inagi, Tokyo prefecture.

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 Holds Snap Elections, U.S. Weighs Options After Iran Talks

U.S.-Iran Relations

Emirati flags on Feb. 4 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. On Feb. 4-5, delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the United States held a second round of trilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates.

The talks are unlikely to produce a near-term settlement, as Russia will continue to press its territorial demands while using diplomacy to manage sanctions pressure and build leverage ahead of a spring-summer offensive.

The Limits of Russia-Ukraine-U.S. Talks

Indonesia

Visitors take pictures in front of an electronic board displaying falling stock prices at the Indonesia Stock Exchange in Jakarta on Jan. 29, 2026.

The episode exposes structural risks embedded in the president's governance that could threaten investor confidence -- and with it, Indonesia's economic growth and manufacturing competitiveness.

Lessons Learned From Indonesia's Market Rout

People walk past campaign posters in Bangkok on Feb. 2, 2026, ahead of Thailand's Feb. 8 general election.

Thailand's Feb. 8 general election and constitutional referendum are unlikely to deliver a decisive political reset and will instead risk extending a familiar cycle of constrained reform and policy caution amid heightened security and economic pressures.

Elections and Referendum Unlikely to End Thailand's Cycle of Constrained Governance

Russian soldiers wear chemical protection suits as they stand next to a military fueler on the base of a prime mover of Russian Topol intercontinental ballistic missile during a training session at the Serpukhov's military missile forces research institute some 100km outside Moscow on April 6, 2010.

Over time, this will intensify an ongoing buildup of nuclear capabilities across the globe and make crises involving nuclear powers more unpredictable and prone to miscalculations. 


Implications of the Last Major U.S.-Russian Nuclear Arms Control Agreement's Expiration

U.S.-China Relations

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (top, 5th from left) speaks during the election campaign rally on Jan. 29, 2026, in Himeji, Japan. 

Outcomes for the Feb. 8 snap ballot include a decisive victory for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party, a weakened conservative coalition and an opposition win.

Japan's Lower House Elections: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

A digital satellite illustration shows Europe at night.

The EU enlargement chief's upcoming visit to Turkey signals an attempt to balance cautious engagement with clear strategic interests, rather than an imminent breakthrough on the country's stalled accession process.

Understanding the EU's Strategic Reengagement With Turkey

A freight train on Aug. 26, 2025, in Ajmer India.

A U.S.-India trade deal will bring some relief to Indian exporters, but ambiguities over its scope, implementation timeline and myriad other flashpoints will risk undermining it.

An India-U.S. Trade Deal Will Face Ongoing Hurdles

Iraq

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (center) delivers a speech during a campaign rally in Baghdad ahead of parliamentary elections on Nov. 7, 2025. 

If former Prime Minister al-Maliki overcomes challenges to form a new cabinet, it would likely deepen sectarian divisions, embolden Iran-backed militias and increase Iraq's exposure to U.S. financial and/or military pressure.

In Iraq, the Potential Return of a Divisive Leader Raises Alarm

Politics

SITUATION REPORTS

Armenia, U.S.: Washington Deepens Armenia Ties With Nuclear Deal During Vance Visit

Hong Kong: Lai Case Shows Political Assimilation and Will Strain U.S., U.K. Ties

Thailand: Bhumjaithai Election Victory Stabilizes Politics, Empowers Military

Saudi Arabia, Somalia: Defense Agreement Will Bolster Somalia's Capabilities

Russia, U.S.: Moscow Downplays Economic Reset as Talks Stall

Somalia: President Confirms Bid for Controversial Third Term

India: Opposition Parties, Farmers Pledge Protests After Interim Deal's Framework Announced

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Israeli Security Cabinet Approves Measures To Facilitate West Bank Settlement

Forecasts

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