United States

Ukraine

Russia

Military & Security

Politics

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would skip the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to focus on the domestic energy crisis unless negotiators finalize pending agreements regarding security guarantees, a prosperity plan and additional air defense supplies, Interfax-Ukraine reported on Jan. 20.

Ukraine, U.S.: Zelensky Says He Will Skip Davos Forum as Peace Talks Stall

U.S. President Donald Trump stated in a Reuters interview on Jan. 14 that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, not Russian President Vladimir Putin, was the primary impediment to finalizing a peace agreement to end the Russia-Ukraine war. 

Ukraine, U.S.: Trump's Rhetoric Signals Renewed Pressure on Kyiv

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom's defense ministry launched Project Nightfall to procure a ground-launched ballistic missile system capable of striking targets over 500 kilometers (310 miles) away, specifically for the Ukrainian battlefield, Kyiv Independent reported Jan 12. 

U.K., Ukraine: London Initiates Independent Deep Strike Missile Pipeline for Kyiv 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv had approved and was conducting new covert and deep strike operations against Russia, Politico reported on Jan. 11. 

Ukraine: Zelensky Signals Expanded Special Operations as Diplomacy Stalls

Poland

Russia fired a nuclear-capable Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile at targets in Ukraine's Lviv region during a broader missile and drone attack on energy and civilian infrastructure, Reuters reported on Jan. 9.

Russia, Ukraine: Russia Uses Oreshnik Nuclear-Capable Missile in Ukraine

Europe

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia as Cyprus assumed the European Union's rotating presidency, Reuters reported on Jan. 8. 

Ukraine, EU: Zelensky Pushes EU Accession as Security Guarantees Remain Unclear

Moscow warned that any Western troops, bases or military infrastructure in Ukraine would be classified as foreign intervention and treated as legitimate combat targets by the Russian armed forces, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement on Jan. 8.

Russia, Ukraine: Moscow Warns Against Western Troops in Ukraine, Ceasefire Talks Progress

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there was still no clear answer on whether Ukraine's partners would deliver a strong response to renewed Russian aggression after a ceasefire, noting that any security guarantees would require parliamentary approval, Dzerkalo Tyzhnia reported on Jan. 7.

Ukraine: Zelensky Flags Enforcement Gaps as Talks Turn to Territory and Zaporizhzhia

Assessments

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a meeting with European national security advisors in Kyiv on Jan. 3, 2026. 

The reshuffle seeks to strengthen Zelensky's negotiating position and mitigate the political fallout from a likely unfavorable peace deal amid weakening Western support and Russia's continued battlefield advances.

Ukraine's Government Reshuffle Signals Preparation for a Tough Peace Deal

Greenland

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Vietnam

Denmark

France

Switzerland

A sniper police officer on the Congress hotel during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum on Jan. 24, 2025, in the Alpine resort of Davos, Switzerland.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

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

The Weekly Rundown: Davos, Europe Steps Up Greenland Deployments

Nigeria

Colombia

Cuba

Mexico

Venezuela

Iran

China

Taiwan

Norway

India

Pakistan

Cyber

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Global Trade

Social Issues

RANE's Top 10 Risks for 2026 highlights high-impact, low-probability risks and trends from the annual forecast presented in more extreme terms.

RANE's Top 10 Risks for 2026

U.S.-China Relations

U.S.-Iran Relations

Media

Forecast Webcast

Energy

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2026 Annual Geopolitical Forecast.

2026 Annual Geopolitical Forecast Webcast

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

South Asia

As elections reshape political incentives worldwide, 2026 will see major powers recalibrate diplomacy and conflict, raising the risk of fragile deals, regional instability and sudden escalation.

2026 Annual Geopolitical Forecast: An Excerpt

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

North Korea

South Korea

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet takes off from Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport on December 15, 2025 in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. If U.S. strikes escalate and cause significant casualties, it could make retaliatory measures -- including the arbitrary detention of U.S. citizens in Venezuela or the harassment of energy sector vessels in the region -- more likely.

The Weekly Rundown: South Korea's President Visits Beijing, U.S. Operations in Venezuela

Columns

On Geopolitics

A NASA satellite image shows the city lights of Europe. 

In this scorecard, we take a critical look at our hits and misses in forecasting geopolitical events over the past year.

Grading Our 2025 Annual Forecast

Snapshots

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 28, 2025.

While the U.S. and Ukrainian presidents have narrowed their differences on a 20-point peace framework, the Kremlin's insistence on full control of the Donbas complicates the prospects of a negotiated deal.

Ukraine Peace Deal Still Elusive Despite Trump-Zelensky Talks

Cambodia

Thailand

A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II on Dec. 15 taxis at Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico.

The Weekly Rundown: French Budget Deadlock, U.S.-Russia Talks in Miami

A container ship arrives Oct. 10 at the Port of Oakland, California. In 2026, political calculations among major global players will significantly shape international affairs.

In 2026, political calculations among major global players will significantly shape international affairs.

2026 Annual Forecast: A Global Overview

A stock photo shows banknotes of the Russian ruble. 

The European Union using immobilized Russian assets to fund financial support for Ukraine will probably not have major reputational or financial consequences for the eurozone.


Using Frozen Russian Assets To Fund Ukraine Unlikely To Majorly Impact the Euro

South Africa

Chile

The Ukrainian flag is projected on the facade of Berlaymont, the European Commission headquarters, in Brussels on Nov. 18 to commemorate the Nov. 18, 2024, Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Weekly Rundown: A European Council Decision on Ukraine Financing, South Africa Braces for Commission Findings

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

SITUATION REPORTS

Ukraine, U.S.: Zelensky Says He Will Skip Davos Forum as Peace Talks Stall

Ukraine, U.S.: Trump's Rhetoric Signals Renewed Pressure on Kyiv

U.K., Ukraine: London Initiates Independent Deep Strike Missile Pipeline for Kyiv

Ukraine: Zelensky Signals Expanded Special Operations as Diplomacy Stalls

Russia, Ukraine: Russia Uses Oreshnik Nuclear-Capable Missile in Ukraine

Ukraine, EU: Zelensky Pushes EU Accession as Security Guarantees Remain Unclear

Russia, Ukraine: Moscow Warns Against Western Troops in Ukraine, Ceasefire Talks Progress

Ukraine: Zelensky Flags Enforcement Gaps as Talks Turn to Territory and Zaporizhzhia

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support