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

Europe

Ukraine

Russia

Smoke rises in the background as a Ukrainian flag flutters in the wind following a mass overnight Russian drone and missile attacks, in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on Nov. 19, 2025. 

Military & Security

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

European efforts to adjust core elements of Trump's plan won't shield Ukraine from his latest threat to withdraw support, and Europe's limited leverage and internal constraints mean it is unlikely to sustain Kyiv's defense alone if talks with the White House fail.

What To Make of Europe's Counterproposal to the U.S. Ukraine Peace Plan

Angola

South Africa

Japan

South Korea

United Kingdom

Banners bearing portraits of leaders of the G20 on Nov. 20 in Johannesburg. The South African government has focused the G20 summit's agenda on issues key to African countries.

Economics

Politics

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

The Weekly Rundown: A High-Stakes British Budget, South Africa Hosts the G20

Snapshots

Ukrainian artillerymen operate a U.S.-made M-114 howitzer near Pokrovsk, Ukraine, on Oct. 16, 2025.

Trump has given Ukraine until Nov. 27 to accept a plan that would freeze the war on terms favorable to Moscow, or face U.S. aid cuts. But Kyiv is unlikely to accede, instead relying on European support to continue fighting.

Ukraine Likely To Reject Trump's Peace Plan Ultimatum, Prolonging the War

View of a Honduran national flag at La Laguna neighborhood, in the north of Tegucigalpa, on Nov. 11, 2025. 

Honduras' next government will face legislative gridlock, political instability and unrest, regardless of the victor.

The Challenges Facing Honduras' Upcoming General Election

Global Elections

Syria

Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa delivers a speech in Damascus on July 3, 2025, during the unveiling of the "New Visual Identity of the Syrian Arab Republic." 

The transitional government's decision will boost reconstruction and counter-terrorism efforts, but it will also risk alienating internal hard-liners and could eventually fuel an Islamic State resurgence if Syria's economic recovery stalls.

The Implications of Syria Joining the U.S.-Led Fight Against the Islamic State

The Pentagon viewed from above.

A strategic shift to prioritize commercially available technology over bespoke solutions aims to deliver capabilities faster, though it faces constraints and introduces risks to quality and cost.

New U.S. Defense Acquisition Reforms Offer Opportunities for Improvements, but Longstanding Constraints Remain

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: Nov. 20, 2025

The clock tower outside of Canada's parliament building is seen in Ottawa, Ontario.

Global Trade

Canada's push to revive its economy and diversify its trade and security ties beyond the U.S. will likely see slow progress and could prompt U.S. retaliation, while the associated deficit spending will risk long-term fiscal strain.

The High Stakes of Canada's Attempt To Pivot Away From the U.S.

Israel

Saudi Arabia

Cambodia

Thailand

India

Pakistan

People watch the USS Gravely, a Navy warship, departing the Port of Spain on Oct. 30, 2025. The U.S. warship arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on Oct. 26, 2025, for joint exercises near the coast of Venezuela, as Washington ratcheted up pressure on drug traffickers and Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Saudi Meeting, Military Escalation in the Caribbean

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (C) after chairing a National Security Council on Nov. 11 in Bangkok. An armed clash on the Thai-Cambodian border raises the risk of escalations that unwind the two countries' recent peace accord, though a return to full-scale war is less likely due to U.S. economic and security leverage.

While the most likely scenario is recurring but contained flare-ups through early 2026, a more escalatory scenario remains plausible.

More Clashes, but Not Full-blown Conflict, Likely on the Cambodian-Thai Frontier

The United States is reportedly prepared to expand its operations in Venezuela in the coming days, likely including covert operations, although whether U.S. President Donald Trump has made a final decision on the matter has not been confirmed, Reuters reported Nov. 23. 

U.S., Venezuela: Washington Prepared To Expand Military Operations in Venezuela

China

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone on Nov. 24, Bloomberg reported. Trump accepted Xi's invitation for an April 2026 visit to Beijing and invited the Chinese leader for a reciprocal state visit to the United States, while Xi emphasized that Taiwan's "return to China" remains foundational Chinese policy.

U.S., China: Trump and Xi Discuss Reciprocal State Visits During Phone Call

U.S.-China Relations

Environment, Science & Technology

South Africa oversaw the adoption of a political declaration at the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg that acknowledges the need to increase access to climate finance and ease financing costs for developing countries, despite U.S. opposition to such a move, Reuters reported Nov. 23.

South Africa: G20 Adopts Declaration Despite U.S. Opposition  

Brazil's Federal Police took former President Jair Bolsonaro into custody on Nov. 22 because he poses a flight risk after he tampered with his ankle monitor, G1 reported the same day. 


Brazil: Limited Unrest Could Follow Bolsonaro Arrest 

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order to remove 40% tariffs on some Brazilian food products, including beef, coffee, cocoa and fruits, with the order retroactively affecting Brazilian imports to the United States starting Nov. 13, the White House said in a statement issued Nov. 20. 

Brazil, U.S.: White House Announces Removal of Some 40% Tariffs on Brazil

Nigeria

The United States is considering sanctions and increased Pentagon engagement to pressure Nigeria to better protect Christian communities and uphold religious freedoms, Reuters reported on Nov. 21.

Nigeria, U.S.: U.S. Considers Sanctions and Military Engagement Over Christian Protection Concerns

Cyber

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted on Nov. 20 to repeal measures put in place in December 2024 to address the Chinese state-backed Salt Typhoon operation that was revealed throughout 2024 to have breached major telecommunications companies in the United States and globally. 

U.S.: FCC Votes To Repeal Telecom Cyber Rules Issued To Address Salt Typhoon

Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said bombing operations against illegal armed groups would continue in the departments of Amazonas, Guaviare and Arauca, despite backlash against the government following the deaths of minors recruited into the Central General Staff, or EMC, Reuters reported on Nov. 19. 

Colombia: Government Plans To Continue Military Operations Against Armed Groups Amid Controversy

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., Venezuela: Washington Prepared To Expand Military Operations in Venezuela

U.S., China: Trump and Xi Discuss Reciprocal State Visits During Phone Call

South Africa: G20 Adopts Declaration Despite U.S. Opposition

Brazil: Limited Unrest Could Follow Bolsonaro Arrest

Brazil, U.S.: White House Announces Removal of Some 40% Tariffs on Brazil

Nigeria, U.S.: U.S. Considers Sanctions and Military Engagement Over Christian Protection Concerns

U.S.: FCC Votes To Repeal Telecom Cyber Rules Issued To Address Salt Typhoon

Colombia: Government Plans To Continue Military Operations Against Armed Groups Amid Controversy

Forecasts

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