United States

China

Economics

Politics

U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue held a closed-door meeting with U.S. lawmakers in which he offered no potential method or timeline to revive Chinese agriculture purchases, including of U.S. soybeans, Bloomberg reported Sept. 30.

China, U.S.: Trade Tensions To Deepen in Winter Over Agriculture Purchases

U.S.-China Relations

Europe

Ukraine

Russia

Military & Security

EU leaders gathered in Copenhagen, Denmark, to discuss the possible use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, plans to build a "drone wall" on NATO's eastern flank, proposals to accelerate Ukraine's EU membership process and next steps to impose more sanctions on Russia, Politico reported on Oct. 1.

EU, Ukraine: EU Leaders Discuss Ukraine's Membership, Drone Wall, Sanctions

Kazakhstan

Energy

The chair of Kazakhstan's nuclear energy agency, Almasadam Satkaliyev, announced that a state commission had approved a site in the Almaty region for the country's second large nuclear power plant, KazTAG reported on Oct. 1.

Kazakhstan: Government Plans Second Nuclear Plant in Energy-Deficient South

United Kingdom

Cyber

Environment, Science & Technology

The United Kingdom issued a new order to Apple to create a backdoor allowing officials to access its encrypted cloud storage, with the order limited to British users' accounts, The Financial Times reported on Oct 1.

U.K.: London Orders Apple To Allow Access to British Users' Cloud Storage

After Democrats and Republicans failed to reach a compromise on a continuing resolution on Sept. 30, the federal government shut down on Oct. 1, the Financial Times reported the same day.

U.S.: Federal Government Shuts Down

Australia

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defense Minister Richard Marles clarified that a U.S. review of Pillar I of the AUKUS nuclear submarine pact was ongoing despite media reports that the review had already cleared, The West Australian reported Sept. 30.

U.S., Australia: Pentagon AUKUS Review Likely Nearing Conclusion

Afghanistan

The Afghan Taliban shut down Afghanistan's fiber-optic telecommunications network indefinitely amid a push in recent weeks to limit activities it deems immoral, resulting in disruptions to internet access, mobile and landline phone services, as well as television and radio transmissions, AFP reported on Sept. 30.

Afghanistan: Taliban Imposes Nationwide Telecommunications Blackout

Madagascar

Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina dissolved his entire government following nationwide deadly protests over ongoing water and power cuts, RFI reported on Sept. 29.

Madagascar: President Dissolves Entire Government Following Deadly Protests

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

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

Moldova

Moldovan President Maia Sandu arrives to hold a press conference in Chisinau on Sept. 29, 2025, after her pro-EU party secured a victory in parliamentary elections. 

Despite a clear win for the pro-EU Action and Solidarity in the Sept. 28 parliamentary election, Moldova's path to EU accession remains fraught with obstacles, including the unresolved Transdniestria conflict, entrenched corruption and the need for politically sensitive judicial reforms.

Even With PAS Victory, Moldova's Road to EU Membership Remains Long

Assessments

Japan

The candidates running in the leadership election of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party -- (from left to right) Takayuki Kobayashi, Toshimitsu Motegi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Sanae Takaichi and Shinjiro Koizumi -- pose after delivering speeches at the kick-off of the campaign in Tokyo on Sept. 22, 2025. 

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Oct. 4 vote for party president and therefore prime minister will influence the trajectory of Japan's fiscal policy and foreign relations.

Japan's LDP Leadership Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

Iran

The U.N. Security Council holds a meeting on Iran at the U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, on Sept. 19, 2025. 

The increased isolation will make Iran more reliant on China and Russia, while the added economic strain could fuel domestic protests and empower Iranian hard-liners calling for more aggressive action against the West.

U.N. Sanctions Snapback: What's Next for Iran?

U.S.-Iran Relations

A Polish-made FlyEye V3.0 drone is displayed during the Iron Defender-25 media day on Sept. 18, 2025, in Nowa Deba, Poland. 

European efforts to fast-track a sophisticated anti-drone system will unlock major contracts for defense firms, but the vast scale of the project will leave Europe exposed to Russian provocations for years.

EU 'Drone Wall' Plans Will Take Years To Materialize, Leaving Continent Vulnerable in the Meantime

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The fourth quarter will bring shifting trade tactics, evolving wars, and pivotal elections and flashpoints worldwide that will test governments’ stability and market confidence.

2025 Fourth-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Denmark

Representatives are pictured ahead of a working session during the informal EU foreign ministers' meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Aug. 30, 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: EU Leaders Meet in Denmark, Moldova Elects a New Parliament

France

Dignitaries attend a U.N. Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestinian statehood, during the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 23, 2025, in New York City. 

Western countries' growing recognition of Palestinian statehood is largely symbolic and will likely galvanize Israel's push for West Bank annexation, risking further Israeli diplomatic isolation abroad and sporadic violence at home.

The West's Growing Support for Palestinian Statehood Will Have Limited Concrete Impacts

Turkey

This aerial photograph shows dry areas near the Alacati Kutlu Aktas Dam in Izmir, Turkey, on July 30, 2025. 

The absence of a national water strategy leaves local authorities and businesses exposed to the mounting pressures of climate change, inefficient agricultural practices and population growth.

Water Scarcity Likely to Worsen With Climate Change, Deepening Turkey's Economic Challenges

Columns

On Security

An aerial view of the IAD71 Amazon Web Services data center is seen on July 17, 2024, in Ashburn, Virginia. 

Social Issues

AI's displacement of workers, the environmental impact of data centers and fears of pervasive surveillance are creating a potent mix of grievances likely to fuel violent extremism against targets associated with the technology.

The Coming Violent Backlash Against AI

Brazil

A digital illustration of the Brazilian flag with economic and financial indicators. 

The current administration's focus on boosting growth through public expenditure is delaying necessary fiscal consolidation, setting the stage for more difficult and potentially drastic economic adjustments after elections in 2026.

Brazil Faces an Inevitable Fiscal Reckoning

An H1B visa (for specialty workers) stamp is seen in a passport.

The sudden implementation of a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas will disproportionately harm smaller companies and universities and weigh on the U.S. economy.

The H-1B Fee Will Undermine U.S. Innovation and Competitiveness

The Moldovan flag flutters near government buildings in Chisinau on Jan. 17, 2025. 

Moldova's ambition for EU accession faces a critical test in elections due Sept. 28, where the performance of the pro-Russian bloc could either derail pro-European reforms or preserve a narrow, albeit unstable, path toward the West.

Moldova's Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Politics

SITUATION REPORTS

China, U.S.: Trade Tensions To Deepen in Winter Over Agriculture Purchases

EU, Ukraine: EU Leaders Discuss Ukraine's Membership, Drone Wall, Sanctions

Kazakhstan: Government Plans Second Nuclear Plant in Energy-Deficient South

U.K.: London Orders Apple To Allow Access to British Users' Cloud Storage

U.S.: Federal Government Shuts Down

U.S., Australia: Pentagon AUKUS Review Likely Nearing Conclusion

Afghanistan: Taliban Imposes Nationwide Telecommunications Blackout

Madagascar: President Dissolves Entire Government Following Deadly Protests

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support