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Military & Security

Politics

The EU foreign policy chief and the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France and Germany -- the so-called E3 grouping of signatories to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal -- met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva, Switzerland, to encourage Iran to negotiate with the United States for a new nuclear deal, Reuters reported on June 20. 

Europe, Iran: E3, Iranian Foreign Ministers Meet in Geneva

Spain

On June 11, the United Kingdom and Spain reached an agreement on the future of Gibraltar, the BBC reported the same day.

Gibraltar, Spain, U.K.: Deal Reached on Gibraltar Border, Easing Land and Travel Checks

Australia

The U.S. Pentagon initiated a review of the AUKUS pact between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia that could result in the cancellation of the United States' commitment to provide Australia with up to five Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines and codevelop similar SSN-AUKUS class submarines with the United Kingdom and Australia, the Financial Times reported June 11. 

U.S., U.K., Australia: Washington Initiates Review to Consider Scrapping AUKUS Pact

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

The United Kingdom's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announced on June 10 that it had selected Rolls-Royce SMR to build the country's first small modular reactors.

U.K.: Rolls-Royce To Build U.K.'s First Small Modular Reactors

Economics

British Defense Secretary John Healey presented the strategic defense review in the House of Commons, the BBC reported on June 2.

U.K.: British Government Unveils Strategic Defense Review

Belgium

The European Union will review its trade and cooperation agreement with Israel to determine if Israel violated human rights requirements under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which gives Israel preferential treatment and a framework for political discourse and the free exchange of goods, Reuters reported May 20. 

U.K., EU, Israel: U.K. and EU Revisiting Trade Talks, Cooperation Agreements with Israel

The European Union continues to demand further British concessions on fishing rights and youth mobility as part of a new, broader EU-U.K. post-Brexit cooperation framework, only days ahead of the London U.K.-EU summit on May 19, delaying finalization of a draft summit communique, the Financial Times reported May 15.

EU, U.K.: Post-Brexit Disagreements Continue to Complicate EU-U.K. Security and Defense Pact

Poland

Ukraine

Russia

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

EU ambassadors approved a new package of sanctions on Russia, the 17th since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with measures including visa bans and asset freezes on senior Russian officials, export bans on dual-use chemicals and restrictions targeting dozens of companies accused of sanctions evasion, Politico reported May 14. 

EU, Russia: EU Ambassadors Approve 17th Package of Sanctions Against Russia

Assessments

Canada

China

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and British Defense Secretary John Healey sit together for the AUKUS Defense Ministers Meeting at Old Royal Naval College on Sept. 26, 2024, in London, England.

Despite growing U.S. skepticism, strong imperatives to counter China's maritime presence will likely lead Washington to see a revised version of the AUKUS defense pact through.

U.S. Review of AUKUS Pillar I Puts Pact on Shaky Ground

Sub-Saharan Africa

Japan

Italy

Rescue teams work at damaged buildings in Nobonyad Square following Israeli airstrikes on June 13, 2025, in Tehran, Iran. 

Global Trade

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

The Weekly Rundown: G7 Leaders' Summit, More Israeli Attacks on Iran

An image shows a row of flags from the G7 members.

The June 15-17 summit will provide an opportunity for the bloc to discuss trade tensions and the war in Ukraine, but the meeting is more likely to expose transatlantic divisions over Trump's tariffs and reluctance to pressure Russia.

What To Expect From the First G7 Summit Following Trump's Return to the White House

A digital illustration of the U.K. and EU flags.

The agreements will institutionalize defense cooperation and ease trade frictions, though lingering political constraints will limit deeper integration in the near term.

The U.K.-EU Deal Signals a Strategic Recalibration of Post-Brexit Trade and Defense Relations

South Africa

Taiwan

Portugal

Romania

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on May 21 during an official trip to the United States.

The Weekly Rundown: South Africa's U.S. Reset, Three European Elections

U.S. President Donald Trump -- flanked by Vice President JD Vance (left) and Peter Mandelson, the U.K. ambassador to the United States (right) -- holds a phone call with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the Oval Office of the White House on May 8, 2025. 

The agreement's narrow scope and quota system suggest the White House remains intent on restricting imports, meaning tariff relief for most other countries reaching deals will also be limited.

Trump Reaches First Post-Tariff Trade Deal With the U.K.

Snapshots

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (2 L) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C) attend a meeting with European and Ukrainian officials on April 17 at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris.

Ukraine will be forced to choose between compromising on its supposed red lines to de-escalate its war with Russia, or risk losing U.S. support and its battlefield position. 

Growing U.S. Pressure for a Peace Deal Puts Ukraine in a Difficult Position

Workers at a quarry Feb. 26, 2025 in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine.

Cyber

U.S.-Iran Relations

The Weekly Rundown: Von der Leyen Meets Starmer, a U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal

Columns

On Geopolitics

NATO military forces during static display after the Steadfast Dart 2025 military exercises at the Smardan Training Area in Smardan, Romania, on Feb. 19, 2025. 

Europe is increasingly focused on achieving greater strategic autonomy in defense, but internal divisions and material constraints will plague this quest, even as the United States' role on the Continent continues to shrink, meaning NATO will likely remain the cornerstone of Europe’s security architecture. 

The Future of Transatlantic Security Cooperation, Part 2: The View From Europe

A list of countries facing reciprocal tariffs on display April 2 at the White House.

U.S.-China Relations

The Weekly Rundown: The Escalating Global Trade War, South Africa's Coalition Government on the Brink

Mexico

Vietnam

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on reciprocal tariffs as U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick holds a chart during an event in the Rose Garden entitled ''Make America Wealthy Again'' at the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 2025. 

Trump's sweeping new tariffs will slow both U.S. and global economic growth, with lower-income Americans and emerging markets like Vietnam being hit hardest.

The U.S. Launches the Largest Trade War in Modern History

Turkey

South Korea

People wave flags and chant slogans during a protest in front of the municipality headquarters in support of arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey. 

The Weekly Rundown: U.S. To Announce Tariffs, Protests in Turkey Rage On

<p>The United Kingdom is located in Northwestern Europe and includes the island of Great Britain, surrounding islands and part of Ireland. The country is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the Irish Sea and the English Channel. The rugged coastline &mdash; around 12,500 kilometers long &mdash; and surrounding waters, covering important oil and gas reserves, offer the nation protection; particularly from rivals in continental Europe. The United Kingdom&#39;s main geographic challenge is the integration of the British Isles. The rugged topography of the islands fostered the development of strong regional identities. Competing regions like Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland make it difficult to maintain control from the core region in the fertile lowlands around London. When British governments overcome domestic divisions, they can turn their attention outward. Control over the surrounding seas was vital for dominance of the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean, and from there, the development of the British Empire. Substantial coal and iron deposits along with an intricate river and canal system were among the factors that drove the country to lead the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s. The dominance of the Royal Navy gave Britain control of the oceans and global trade. The United Kingdom&#39;s detachment from continental Europe offers protection since a united European empire could challenge the country&#39;s independence. Having a voice in the European Union and strong military and economic ties with the United States help London counter this potential threat.</p>

SITUATION REPORTS

Europe, Iran: E3, Iranian Foreign Ministers Meet in Geneva

Gibraltar, Spain, U.K.: Deal Reached on Gibraltar Border, Easing Land and Travel Checks

U.S., U.K., Australia: Washington Initiates Review to Consider Scrapping AUKUS Pact

U.K.: Rolls-Royce To Build U.K.'s First Small Modular Reactors

U.K.: British Government Unveils Strategic Defense Review

U.K., EU, Israel: U.K. and EU Revisiting Trade Talks, Cooperation Agreements with Israel

EU, U.K.: Post-Brexit Disagreements Continue to Complicate EU-U.K. Security and Defense Pact

EU, Russia: EU Ambassadors Approve 17th Package of Sanctions Against Russia

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