United States

China

Japan

North Korea

South Korea

Economics

Military & Security

Politics

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, where the two sides signed 15 memorandums of understanding, including on establishing a ministerial-level commercial dialogue and deepening cooperation on artificial intelligence and cultural product exchanges, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 5.

South Korea, China: Lee-Xi Chat Rosey on Economic Ties, Mixed on North Korea

Iran

At least 19 protesters have been killed in Iran as of Jan. 4 as protests entered their ninth day on Jan. 5, the BBC reported the same day, citing a report by the U.S.-based nongovernmental organization Human Rights Activists in Iran.

Iran: Trump Reiterates Warnings to Iran as Protests Continue Into Ninth Day

Israel

Syria

France

Israel and Syria resumed U.S.-mediated talks in Paris on a security agreement after around two months of negotiations being frozen, Reuters reported Jan. 5. 

Syria, Israel: Syria and Israel Resume Negotiations on Security Agreement

In a Truth Social post, U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States was "locked and loaded" and would intervene if Iran's government killed peaceful protesters in the current anti-government uprising affecting several Iranian cities.

U.S., Iran: Trump Threatens To Intervene if Iran Kills Peaceful Protesters

Ukraine

Russia

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Kremlin's move to publicize more purported evidence of a Ukrainian attack on Putin's residence comes at a critical point in peace negotiations, reflecting Russia's aim to manipulate the narrative and weaken support for Kyiv. 

Russia: GRU Head Presents U.S. Attache With Data From Alleged Drone Attack on Putin's Residence

Cambodia

Thailand

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

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

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

Assessments

Brazil

Colombia

Guyana

Venezuela

Venezuela's National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez (C) gestures during the official picture of the new National Assembly in Caracas on Jan. 5, 2026. 

Venezuela's acting president is most likely to cooperate with the United States to keep the country's regime intact, but other, more volatile scenarios remain possible. 

Venezuela's Post-Maduro Outlook: Potential Scenarios

Snapshots

Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, after a series of explosions Jan. 3, 2026, in Caracas amid U.S. strikes.

The detention of the Venezuelan president creates a power vacuum that risks triggering violent unrest while establishing a precedent for further U.S. interventionism in Latin America.

U.S. Capture of Maduro Could Lead to Instability and Unrest in Venezuela, Wider Region

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet takes off from Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport on December 15, 2025 in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. If U.S. strikes escalate and cause significant casualties, it could make retaliatory measures -- including the arbitrary detention of U.S. citizens in Venezuela or the harassment of energy sector vessels in the region -- more likely.

Energy

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

The Weekly Rundown: South Korea's President Visits Beijing, U.S. Operations in Venezuela

Benin

Burkina Faso

Madagascar

Mali

Niger

Nigeria

Canada

Paraguay

Egypt

Lebanon

Morocco

Palestinian Territories

Qatar

Turkey

Australia

Timor-Leste

Indonesia

Mongolia

Myanmar

Philippines

Vietnam

Europe

Bulgaria

Afghanistan

India

Nepal

Pakistan

Flight routes.

Cyber

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

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 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

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.

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.

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

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

Tracking U.S. Naval Power

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

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

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

The United States encompasses territory spanning from the Arctic Circle and Central Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic.    The Greater Mississippi Basin is the United States' core and serves as the underpinning of its role as a global superpower.    The basin hosts an extensive network of navigable rivers that overlay the world's largest contiguous piece of arable land. This naturally interconnected river system facilitated integration among settlers and allowed for cheap transport of goods, providing the United States with the ability to feed itself efficiently and rapidly build up industry and capital to expand west. The Midwestern core gave early America strategic depth, while an expanding U.S. coastline, naturally indented with deep harbors, provided its opening to the world.    After reaching the Pacific coast in the mid-19th century, the United States found itself insulated by two oceans. On the continent itself, geography again has worked in the country's favor: lakes to the north and deserts to the south insulate the United States' population centers, with both Canada and Mexico facing too many natural constraints of their own to seriously rival it.    This unparalleled level of wealth and protection gives the United States options that few to no countries can claim. For one, the United States has used its wealth and security to build up the world's largest navy. Control of the world's major sea-lanes gives the United States the power to facilitate or deny trade to allies or rivals of the day. The onus therefore is on the United States to carefully manage its engagements abroad and build up strategic allies to protect its overseas interests and preserve its strength at home. 

SITUATION REPORTS

South Korea, China: Lee-Xi Chat Rosey on Economic Ties, Mixed on North Korea

Iran: Trump Reiterates Warnings to Iran as Protests Continue Into Ninth Day

Syria, Israel: Syria and Israel Resume Negotiations on Security Agreement

U.S., Iran: Trump Threatens To Intervene if Iran Kills Peaceful Protesters

Russia: GRU Head Presents U.S. Attache With Data From Alleged Drone Attack on Putin's Residence

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

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