The Americas stretch from the Arctic Circle in Canada to the southern tip of Chile. This geographically, culturally and politically diverse region is home to the United States, a nation whose geography helped it become the foremost economic and military power in the world &mdash; an ascendance aided in part by bringing Mexico and Canada into its sphere of influence. Farther south, the nations of South America are like islands, separated by vast spaces of impenetrable mountains, rivers and jungles. Try though these countries may to integrate more closely, deeper ties such as those that characterize North America will prove elusive.

This geographically, culturally and politically diverse region is home to the United States, a nation whose geography helped it become the foremost economic and military power in the world

Americas

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Barbados

Belize

Brazil

Canada

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Cuba

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

El Salvador

Grenada

Guatemala

Guyana

Haiti

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Suriname

Bahamas

Trinidad and Tobago

United States

Uruguay

Venezuela

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Greenland

Jamaica

Venezuela's Unraveling

Colombian Peace Process

Security Challenges in Latin America

Tracking U.S. Naval Power

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

The Importance of Mexico

North America Unrivaled

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

Crossing Borders

Assessments

Benin

Burkina Faso

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Madagascar

Mali

Niger

Nigeria

Rwanda

Egypt

Iran

Israel

Lebanon

Morocco

Palestinian Territories

Qatar

Syria

Turkey

Yemen

Australia

Cambodia

China

Timor-Leste

Indonesia

Japan

Mongolia

Myanmar

Philippines

South Korea

Thailand

Vietnam

Europe

Bulgaria

Ukraine

Russia

Afghanistan

India

Nepal

Pakistan

Flight routes.

Cyber

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Military & Security

Politics

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

Snapshots

A U.S. military MQ-9 Reaper drone sits on a tarmac at Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, on Dec. 27, 2025.

The Trump administration will likely soon launch more strikes inside Venezuela following the reported CIA drone attack on a suspected drug port, though a U.S. ground invasion remains unlikely for the foreseeable future.

Trump Escalates Pressure on Venezuela With First Land Strike

Media

Middle East and North Africa

Podcasts

Energy

How has U.S. interest in the Middle East evolved over time? 

Essential Geopolitics: A Historical Look Back on U.S.-Middle East Relations

Eurasia

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.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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

Central African Republic

Guinea

Cyprus

Kosovo

The Bulgarian flag and the European flag waving in the wind.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Bulgaria Adopts the Euro, U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Persist

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

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

YemenYemenis rally to show their support for the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council on Dec. 14, 2025.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Escalating tensions and potential violence between the Southern Transitional Council and Saudi-backed forces create security vacuums that Houthi rebels will likely exploit.



Yemen's Anti-Houthi Bloc Is Fracturing

This map shows the approximate locations of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups and Amphibious Ready Groups.

U.S. Naval Update Map: Dec. 18, 2025

Sub-Saharan Africa

Asia-Pacific

South Asia

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

A Cambodian defense ministry spokesperson announced on Dec. 31 that the ministry had received the transfer of 18 Cambodian soldiers who had been detained in Thailand since a previous round of border clashes between the two sides in July.

Thailand, Cambodia: Bangkok Releases Prisoners in Line With Ceasefire

The Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group said it had overseen the deployment of interim civilian security and administration officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's eastern city of Uvira to take charge of security and administration until the deployment of a neutral force to the city, Radio France Internationale reported on Dec. 30.

Congo: M23-Linked Administration Emerges in Uvira After Rebels Withdraw Bulk of Forces 

South Sudan

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Sudan

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, and allied groups seized the strategic Al-Taqatu' junction and neighboring localities between the towns of Kadugli and Dilling in the central South Kordofan state from the Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, the Sudan Tribune reported on Dec. 30.

Sudan: RSF Makes Further Gains in Kordofan as SAF Reinforces Positions in Blue Nile State

London-based Harbour Energy announced in a Dec. 31 press release that it had been appointed the operator of the Zama oil field project offshore Mexico.

Mexico: Sheinbaum Administration Names Private Company Operator of Zama Oil Field

Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to attack a presidential residence near Valdai in the Novgorod region with long-range drones, an allegation Kyiv denied as fabricated, Reuters reported on Dec. 30.

Russia, Ukraine: Kremlin Signals Tougher Negotiating Posture After Alleged Drone Attack

U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Dec. 29 to reverse Israel's West Bank policies amid U.S. concerns that settlement expansion and violent Israeli settlers could undermine the Gaza ceasefire and stall efforts to expand the Abraham Accords, Axios reported on Dec. 30.

U.S., Israel: U.S. Pressures Israel To Reverse West Bank Policies, Israel Curbs Humanitarian Work in Gaza

Iraq

Iraq's parliament convened for the first time since the Nov. 11 elections and elected the parliamentary speaker, Haibet Al-Halbousi, who is a member of the Takadum, or Progress, party, AP reported on Dec. 29.

Iraq: Parliament Elects Speaker in First Session After November Elections

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the latter's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and discussed the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza, as well as regional security threats from Hamas and Iran, Al Jazeera reported on Dec. 29.

U.S., Israel: Netanyahu, Trump Meet in Florida, Discuss Regional Security Issues, Gaza Ceasefire

U.S.-Iran Relations

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

Thailand, Cambodia: Bangkok Releases Prisoners in Line With Ceasefire

Congo: M23-Linked Administration Emerges in Uvira After Rebels Withdraw Bulk of Forces

Sudan: RSF Makes Further Gains in Kordofan as SAF Reinforces Positions in Blue Nile State

Mexico: Sheinbaum Administration Names Private Company Operator of Zama Oil Field

Russia, Ukraine: Kremlin Signals Tougher Negotiating Posture After Alleged Drone Attack

U.S., Israel: U.S. Pressures Israel To Reverse West Bank Policies, Israel Curbs Humanitarian Work in Gaza

Iraq: Parliament Elects Speaker in First Session After November Elections

U.S., Israel: Netanyahu, Trump Meet in Florida, Discuss Regional Security Issues, Gaza Ceasefire

Forecasts

ANALYSES

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