Germany

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Politics

Germany's Federal Administrative Court ruled that the government must revise its 2023 climate protection program after finding it insufficient to meet legally binding 2030 sectoral emissions targets, upholding a 2024 lower-court decision brought by Environmental Action Germany, or DUH, Handelsblatt reported on Jan. 29.

Germany: Top Court Upholds Orders for Federal Government To Strengthen Climate Measures

United States

China

The Chinese government granted Chinese tech giants ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent approvals to purchase a combined total of more than 400,000 Nvidia H200 chips, according to Reuters sources on Jan. 28.

China, U.S.: Beijing Conditionally Allows Some Nvidia H200 Chip Imports

U.S.-China Relations

Poland

Slovakia

Russia

Cyber

Military & Security

Researchers from Slovakia-based cybersecurity company ESET assessed with medium confidence that Russian advanced persistent threat, or APT, Sandworm was behind a failed cyberattack targeting Poland's power grid in late December 2025, according to new research published by ESET on Jan. 23.

Russia, Poland: Researchers Attribute Attempted Data Wiper Attack to Russian APT Sandworm

Europe

The European Commission is launching a new formal investigation into X (formerly Twitter) related to purported violations of the bloc's Digital Services Act, The New York Times reported on Jan. 26. 

EU: Commission Launches Formal Investigation Into X Over DSA Violations

South Korea

South Korea's Artificial Intelligence Act came into effect on Jan. 22, Reuters reported the same day.

South Korea: Seoul Rolls Out AI Safety Law

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom and China established a forum to discuss cyber attacks, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 20. 

China, U.K.: Governments Set Up Cyber Dialogue

Ethiopia

Sudan

Egypt

Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilem said Ethiopia should pay Egypt compensation due to its management of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, claiming that the dam had reduced Egypt's use of Nile waters from its allocated 55 billion cubic meters to 38 billion cubic meters, Addis Standard reported on Jan. 20. 

Egypt, Ethiopia: Cairo Demands Compensation Over GERD Following Trump Mediation Proposal

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation on Jan. 14 placing a 25% tariff on certain advanced semiconductors under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.

U.S.: Washington Implements Narrow Tariffs on Semiconductors, Delays Decision on CRM Tariffs

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

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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.-Iran Relations

Energy

Israel-Hamas Conflict

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

Benin

Burkina Faso

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Madagascar

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Niger

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Indonesia

Japan

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Philippines

Thailand

Vietnam

Bulgaria

Afghanistan

Nepal

Flight routes.

As 2026 approaches, we look back at the previous year and consider the top five patterns and trends as measured by geopolitical impact.

2025: A Geopolitical Review

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

Media

Podcasts

How could advancements in AI increase the threat of state-sponsored cyber activity?

Essential Geopolitics: The Role of AI in State-Sponsored Cyber Espionage Campaigns

Tanzania

Hong Kong SAR, China

Protesters help an injured demonstrator near burning barricades amid clashes in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Oct. 29, 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: Unrest in Tanzania, an EU Summit in Ukraine

Brazil

Iraq

Campaign posters Nov. 6 ahead of Nov. 11 Iraqi parliamentary elections in central Baghdad.

The Weekly Rundown: Iraqi Elections, a U.S.-China Deal Enters Effect

The COP30 logo at the central building is seen ahead of the COP30 Brazil Amazonia 2025 on Nov. 3, 2025 in Belem, Brazil. 

The 30th U.N. Climate Change Conference is poised to highlight the enduring impasse between developed and developing nations, particularly regarding financial responsibilities and the transition from fossil fuels.

A Breakthrough on Climate Targets is Unlikely at Brazil's COP30

The Geopolitics of Trade

The recalibration of the European Union's sustainability framework will ease near-term compliance burdens and costs for businesses but preserve long-term uncertainty.

The Geopolitics of Trade: EU Steps Back From Ambitious Environmental Policies

Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, and other senior government members and deputies attend the second plenary session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People on March 8, 2025, in Beijing, China.

The key political meeting will fill vacant Party seats and update economic and security goals, offering insights into China's policy priorities and the trajectory of Xi's political purges for the next five years. 

What To Watch for During China's Fourth Plenum

While countries will likely increasingly pursue trade deals with digital clauses, the slow pace of regulatory development, coupled with a global tendency toward protectionism, will impede the push toward building out more streamlined digital economy agreements.

The Geopolitics of Trade: The Role of Digital Trade in Modern Free Trade Agreements

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

Environment, Science & Technology

SITUATION REPORTS

Germany: Top Court Upholds Orders for Federal Government To Strengthen Climate Measures

China, U.S.: Beijing Conditionally Allows Some Nvidia H200 Chip Imports

Russia, Poland: Researchers Attribute Attempted Data Wiper Attack to Russian APT Sandworm

EU: Commission Launches Formal Investigation Into X Over DSA Violations

South Korea: Seoul Rolls Out AI Safety Law

China, U.K.: Governments Set Up Cyber Dialogue

Egypt, Ethiopia: Cairo Demands Compensation Over GERD Following Trump Mediation Proposal

U.S.: Washington Implements Narrow Tariffs on Semiconductors, Delays Decision on CRM Tariffs

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