<p>To the west of Eurasia lays Europe, a region predisposed to division. It is surrounded on nearly all sides by islands and peninsulas that make it difficult for Europe to cohere. The northern half of the continent, moreover, sits on a plain whose short, meandering rivers tend to empower countries without forcing them to work with others. The southern half is situated on more mountainous terrain that has historically impeded the creation of strong, unified economies. As a result, Europe is a continent riven by pockets of distinct cultures whose differences are all too often irreconcilable.</p>

Europe is a continent riven by pockets of distinct cultures whose differences are all too often irreconcilable.

Europe

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Beyond Quantitative Easing

The Ukraine Conflict

The Politics of Pipelines

EU: Regional Blocs

Divided EU Foreign Policies

Brexit

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Banking

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European Disintegration

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The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

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The Geopolitics of Trade

Economics

Global Trade

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Over the next decade, Kenya and Tanzania will compete for the title of East Africa's leading trade gateway, particularly as global demand for Central Africa's critical minerals grows. 

The Geopolitics of Trade: The Race to Unlock East Africa, Part 1 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni addresses the Senate in Rome on Oct. 22, 2025. 

Despite Prime Minister Meloni's success in achieving rare political and financial stability, Italy's weak economic growth and the expiry of EU recovery funds in 2026 may compel her to abandon fiscal prudence ahead of the next election cycle.

Italy Struggles To Translate Political Stability Into Economic Growth

Venezuela

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Tajikistan

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Russia

Kyrgyzstan

Tanks on Sept. 23 in Caracas, Venezuela. The Trump administration has reportedly decided to attack military sites in Venezuela in strikes that could occur at any moment.

Military & Security

Russia-Ukraine 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: Potential U.S. Strikes in Venezuela, U.S. Outreach in Central Asia

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On Security

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Nepal

Fire rages through the Singha Durbar, the main administrative building for the Nepal government, in Kathmandu on Sept. 9, 2025, after youth protesters set fire to the building. 

Recent events in Nepal, Madagascar and elsewhere show how digitally coordinated, leaderless protests can succeed, but eventually face even larger challenges in sustaining the momentum for change.

Worldwide Gen Z Protesters May Be Disappointed With Their Success

Chancellor Friedrich Merz raises his hand in a vote at the Bundestag prior to a vote on changes to Germany's Basic Law on March 18, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. 

A landmark reform of the constitutional debt brake unlocks significant new spending, but this fiscal boost will be dampened by persistent administrative bottlenecks and a political reluctance to seriously tackle broader structural reform.

Defense Spending Will Modestly Boost the German Economy, but Challenges Remain

Snapshots

Carles Puigdemont, leader of Catalonia's pro-independence Junts party, delivers a speech in southwestern France on July 27, 2024, during a meeting held to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the party's founding. 

The end of a political pact between the ruling Socialists and Catalonia's Junts party will make it even harder for Prime Minister Sanchez to govern and pass laws, which could open the door to an early election.

Spain's Political Problems Worsen as Government Loses Catalan Support

On Geopolitics

European Council President Antonio Costa and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrive for a meeting of the European Council on Oct. 23. The EU pursuit of geopolitical independence is being severely tested by Russia's direct security aggression, China's control over critical raw materials and competing economic pressures from the United States.

The EU pursuit of geopolitical independence is being severely tested by Russia's direct security aggression, China's control over critical raw materials and competing economic pressures from the United States.

Europe's Dual Challenge From China and Russia

Cameroon

Cote d'Ivoire

Argentina

South Korea

Supporters of Argentine President Javier Milei's Liberty Advances (LLA) party wave flags during a campaign rally in Rosario, Argentina, on Oct. 23, 2025.

The Weekly Rundown: Argentina Holds Midterm Elections, Trump Travels to Asia

U.S.-China Relations

A massive flag of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of North Cyprus is seen on Dec. 28, 2023, in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Attempts by Turkey to coerce Northern Cyprus economically could inadvertently strengthen President Tufan Erhurman's support and his drive for federalization with the internationally recognized south.

Turkey Will Pressure New Northern Cypriot President To Abandon Federalization Talks

A photograph taken on Oct. 10, 2025, shows Dutch election posters ahead of the Netherlands' Oct. 29 elections. 

Political fragmentation points toward complex negotiations and an ideologically unstable coalition, most likely led by either centrists or the far right.

Netherlands Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

Environment, Science & Technology

The European Commission is proposing a delay in the enforcement of some aspects of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act in an upcoming simplification package on Nov. 19, the Financial Times reported on Nov. 6. 

EU: European Commission Proposes Pause to Aspects of AI Act

The CEO of German car parts supplier AUMOVIO said shipments of chips from Dutch-headquartered semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia's China unit have resumed and that the company received an exemption from Chinese export controls, the Financial Times reported on Nov. 7.

EU, China: Nexperia Chip Exports Pave Way for Netherlands To Relinquish Control of Dutch Chipmaker

Belgium

Belgium's government reached an agreement in principle over a package of measures to protect the country from the increasing number of drone incursions into its territory, Belga News Agency reported on Nov. 7.

Belgium: Disruptive Drone Incursions Prompt Consideration of New Security Measures

Catalonia's pro-independence Junts party submitted amendments against 25 government bills currently before Spain's parliament, El Pais reported on Nov. 6. 

Spain: Junts Announces Total Legislative Blockade, Leaving Spain's Government Unable To Pass Laws

EU climate ministers reached a last-minute consensus on the bloc's 2040 climate target, agreeing to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% from 1990 levels but introducing new flexibilities that dilute the goal, Reuters reported on Nov. 5. 

EU: Member States Reach Compromise on Diluted 2040 Climate Target Ahead of COP30 Summit

The European Union approved a new 1.35 billion euro ($1.42 billion) aid payment to Ukraine as part of its ongoing support package, Politico reported on Nov. 4.

Ukraine, EU: Bloc Approves New Aid but Signals Tougher Line on Ukraine's Reform and Accession Track

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said during a news conference on Nov. 2 that parliamentary elections, originally set for December 2027, will be held earlier, with the exact date to be determined by the relevant authorities, Serbia's N1 news channel reported.

Serbia: Despite Vucic's Pledge, Early Elections Remain Unlikely

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a taped interview airing Nov. 2 that the United States "will not let anybody have" Nvidia's most advanced Blackwell architecture chips "other than the United States," Reuters reported.

U.S.: Trump Says No Other Countries Can Have Nvidia's Top Chips

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

EU: European Commission Proposes Pause to Aspects of AI Act

EU, China: Nexperia Chip Exports Pave Way for Netherlands To Relinquish Control of Dutch Chipmaker

Belgium: Disruptive Drone Incursions Prompt Consideration of New Security Measures

Spain: Junts Announces Total Legislative Blockade, Leaving Spain's Government Unable To Pass Laws

EU: Member States Reach Compromise on Diluted 2040 Climate Target Ahead of COP30 Summit

Ukraine, EU: Bloc Approves New Aid but Signals Tougher Line on Ukraine's Reform and Accession Track

Serbia: Despite Vucic's Pledge, Early Elections Remain Unlikely

U.S.: Trump Says No Other Countries Can Have Nvidia's Top Chips

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