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Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The European Union presented member states with a framework to provide Ukraine with "lasting security commitments" that EU leaders will discuss in December, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 22.

Ukraine, EU: Bloc Prepares Framework for 'Lasting Security Commitments'

United States

Economics

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and the commander of Ukraine's armed forces, Valery Zaluzhny, AP reported on Nov. 20.

Ukraine, U.S.: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Makes Unannounced Visit to Kyiv

Ukraine's troops secured multiple bridgeheads on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River in the Kherson region, one of Russia's most significant natural strategic barriers, AP reported on Nov. 17.

Ukraine, Russia: Kyiv Claims Multiple Bridgeheads Across the Dnieper

Finland

Finland has decided to close four border crossings with Russia until at least Feb. 18, 2024, leaving only three in operation, Reuters reported Nov. 16.

Finland, Russia: Finland to Close Four Russian Border Crossings Amid Surge of Asylum Seekers

Energy

Large EU energy companies are increasingly storing natural gas in Ukraine to hedge against supply risks ahead of peak winter demand as the bloc's inventories near full capacity, the Financial Times reported Nov. 1, citing figures from Gas Infrastructure Europe. 

Europe: EU Energy Companies Storing Gas in Ukraine as Bloc Nears Capacity

Israel

In a televised address on Oct. 19, U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated the need to support the United States' democratic allies in Ukraine and Israel for the United States, stressing that any reduction in support for either of these countries would pose a greater and more costly threat to U.S. national security in the long run, Reuters reported the same day.

U.S.: Biden Stresses Need to Support Both Israel and Ukraine in Public Address

For the first time, Ukraine used U.S.-provided Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS, to strike Russian forces in Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reported on Oct. 17.

Ukraine, Russia: Kyiv Uses ATACMS in Strike on Berdyansk Airport

Russian Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said the State Duma lower house of parliament would swiftly consider if there was a need to revoke Russia's ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), Reuters reported Oct. 6. 

U.S., Russia: Moscow Preparing to Deratify Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

Assessments

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (left) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (right) hold a joint press conference on Nov. 4, 2023, in Kyiv, Ukraine. 

Western policymakers' concerns about whether to keep funding the nearly two-year war in Ukraine will likely grow ahead of upcoming U.S. and EU elections, which for Kyiv, may translate to fewer resources and greater pressure to ink a peace deal with Moscow.

Ukraine Grapples With the Prospect Waning Western Support

Snapshots

Palestinian Territories

Germany

Denmark

Greece

France

Sweden

Belgium

Spain

Italy

Hungary

Israeli and EU Flags

A lack of a unified EU response to the Israel-Hamas War highlights divisions among member states' foreign policies, complicating the bloc's plans to play a meaningful role in the conflict, as well as efforts to maintain unified support for Ukraine.

Israel-Hamas War Highlights Divisions Among EU Member States

South Africa

Iran

Pakistan

Israeli tanks on the border with Lebanon on Oct. 26, 2023, in Israel amid the ongoing battles between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

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

The Weekly Rundown: A Possible Middle Eastern Escalation, an IMF Team Visits Pakistan

People in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, stand near a residential building that was damaged in fighting with Russian troops, as rescuers conduct a search and rescue operation, on Oct. 18, 2023.

The Gaza conflict risks reducing Kyiv's ability to resist Moscow's ongoing invasion by increasing competition for -- and political infighting over -- Western financial and military aid. 

How Might the Israel-Hamas War Impact Ukraine's Fight Against Russia?

Slovakia

Former Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico waits to meet the country's president in Bratislava on Oct. 2, 2023, following his Smer party's victory in Slovakia's Sept. 30 snap election. 

Upcoming coalition talks will likely yield a more Eurosceptic government that could reduce the country's political and military aid to Kyiv.

What Slovakia's Election Results Mean for Its Political Future and Support for Ukraine

Saudi Arabia

China

Indonesia

India

A door at the U.N. headquarters Sept. 15, 2023, in New York ahead of the 78th session of the General Assembly. The 78th U.N. General Assembly will occur Sept. 18-26 against a backdrop of deepening global divisions.

The Weekly Rundown: The U.N. General Assembly, Zelensky's U.S. Visit

Turkey

A ship transiting Ukrainian grain is seen off the coast of Istanbul, Turkey, on July 17, 2023, after Russia announced its withdrawal from the Black Sea grain export deal.

If high food prices continue to harm its political popularity at home, Ankara may become more confrontational with Moscow over its blockade of Ukrainian wheat exports. 

What Russia's Refusal to Restore the Ukraine Grain Deal Means for Its Ties With Turkey 

Kenya

Vehicles drive past the logo of the G-20 Summit on Aug. 10, 2023, in New Delhi.

Environment, Science & Technology

The Weekly Rundown: The Africa Climate Summit, the G-20 Summit in New Delhi

Columns

On Geopolitics

Georgia

Demonstrators wave a flag of Georgia in Europe Square on June 20, 2022 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The ruling party's recent move to impeach the country's pro-EU president acutely illustrates how Georgia's complex domestic politics complicate predictions of its geopolitical trajectory.

Deep Divisions Set the Tone For Georgia's Geopolitical Future

North Korea

A North Korean flag is seen fixed on a lamp post in the far-eastern Russian port of Vladivostok on April 25, 2019. 

Access to North Korean weapons could help Moscow sustain its Ukraine invasion, while access to Russian imports and funding could help Pyongyang reduce its reliance on China.

What Russia and North Korea Stand to Gain From an Arms Deal

Taiwan

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders' summit on Sept. 16, 2022.

Social Issues

The U.S., the EU, Russia and India are all holding votes next year that will be marked by nationalist populism, portending more policy uncertainty, domestic strife and international conflict.

The Four 2024 Elections That Will Shape the Second Half of the Decade

U.S.-China Relations

Yevgeny Prigozhin on July 4, 2017, in Moscow.

Firmer Kremlin control over the Wagner Group means its fighters are likely to focus more on deployments in Africa and Ukraine.

The Wagner Group After the Death of Yevgeny Prigozhin

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

SITUATION REPORTS

Ukraine, EU: Bloc Prepares Framework for 'Lasting Security Commitments'

Ukraine, U.S.: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Makes Unannounced Visit to Kyiv

Ukraine, Russia: Kyiv Claims Multiple Bridgeheads Across the Dnieper

Finland, Russia: Finland to Close Four Russian Border Crossings Amid Surge of Asylum Seekers

Europe: EU Energy Companies Storing Gas in Ukraine as Bloc Nears Capacity

U.S.: Biden Stresses Need to Support Both Israel and Ukraine in Public Address

Ukraine, Russia: Kyiv Uses ATACMS in Strike on Berdyansk Airport

U.S., Russia: Moscow Preparing to Deratify Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

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