<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

Belize

Andorra

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Holy See

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

North Macedonia

San Marino

Sweden

United Kingdom

Bulgaria

Portugal

Serbia

Croatia

Poland

Romania

Cyprus

Norway

Austria

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Slovenia

Netherlands

Switzerland

Spain

Montenegro

Monaco

Italy

Ireland

Iceland

Hungary

Kosovo

Beyond Quantitative Easing

The Ukraine Conflict

The Politics of Pipelines

EU: Regional Blocs

Divided EU Foreign Policies

Brexit

The Fate of the Eurozone

Banking

Crossing Borders

Globalization

European Disintegration

Echoes of the Cold War

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

Snapshots

U.K. Health Secretary Wes Streeting arrives at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, on March 19, 2026, as students receive the Meningitis B vaccine.

Economics

Politics

While a leadership transition would prolong market volatility, any new prime minister would likely maintain policy continuity and fiscal discipline, differing only on the specific execution of budget restraint and EU rapprochement.

Starmer's Days Appear Numbered After U.K. Health Secretary Quits

Assessments

Kenya

United States

Iran

Israel

Lebanon

China

Boats on April 28, 2026 on Qeshm Island, Iran, in the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions between the United States and Iran will remain elevated, especially around the strait, following the May 7 U.S.-Iran exchange of attacks and Iranian attacks against the United Arab Emirates.

Military & Security

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

The Weekly Rundown: Elevated Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, France Convenes an Africa Summit

U.S.-China Relations

U.S.-Iran Relations

Algeria

A worker stands on the uploading dock of Cavaou LNG terminal in Fos-sur-Mer, France, on June 22, 2023, while the tanker boat "Lalla Fatma N'Soumer" arrives full of LNG ready to be delivered. 

Energy

Amid energy supply disruptions in the Middle East, Algeria's ability to capitalize on increased global prices and demand for energy exports will be constrained by limited spare capacity and bureaucratic obstacles.

Structural Constraints Will Limit Algeria's Ability To Capitalize on Tighter Energy Markets

While a Ukraine loan scheme will offer opportunities for British companies, it will not reintegrate the United Kingdom into EU defense structures.

A Small Step for EU-British Defense Cooperation

Australia

Japan

India

An oil products tanker at Muscat Anchorage on March 21, 2026 at Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman. 

The Weekly Rundown: U.K. Elections, Iran War Resumption Risk

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer departs 10 Downing Street on April 29 in London. While a leadership challenge against the British prime minister is possible, policy continuity is likely no matter who governs.

While a leadership challenge against the British prime minister is possible, policy continuity is likely no matter who governs. Meanwhile, strong pro-independence gains are possible in Scotland and Wales, but not near-term independence.

Labour's Starmer Faces Bleak Local U.K. Electoral Prospects

Direction signs point to Germany and France in the town of Schengen where the 1985 European Schengen Agreement was signed on May 11, 2016 in Schengen, Luxembourg. 

The reintroduction of border controls by countries across the Schengen area is acting as a slow structural drag on the continent's economic competitiveness.


'Temporary' Schengen Border Controls Threaten Europe's Integrated Supply Chains

South Korea

Vietnam

Russia

Employees walk at the construction site of a gas metering station, part of the pipeline link between Bulgaria and Greece near the village of Malko Kadievo, on March 18, 2022. 

The Weekly Rundown: No U.S.-Iran Breakthrough, EU Ban on Spot Market Russian LNG

A digital illustration shows the euro currency symbol burning with a blue flame inside a gas stove. 

Brussels' strategy prioritizes temporary relief and coordination over broad market intervention, which will likely result in a fragmented response and sustained price volatility.

EU Outlines Energy Relief and Coordination Measures in Response to Iran-Linked Supply Shock

Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan delivers a speech to lawmakers in parliament in Bucharest on June 23, 2025.

The crisis could undermine fiscal consolidation and further empower far-right forces, potentially reversing Romania's EU alignment and harming its economic credibility.

Romania's Latest Political Crisis Threatens Fiscal Reform and EU Alignment

Sub-Saharan Africa

French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto concluded the Africa Forward Summit, during which Macron unveiled $23 billion in new private sector investment pledges from French and African companies in Africa and called for reforms to the international financial architecture, alongside around 30 African heads of state and governments, Jeune Afrique reported on May 12.

France, Africa: Macron Concludes Africa-France Summit in Kenya, Travels to Ethiopia for Meeting With Abiy

Environment, Science & Technology

The European Commission entered talks to bring the European Union into Pax Silica, a U.S.-led initiative aimed at building a trusted network for semiconductors, AI infrastructure, critical minerals and data centers to reduce reliance on China, Bloomberg reported May 12.

EU, U.S.: Brussels Enters Talks to Join U.S.-Led Pax Silica Alliance

North Korea

A Russian cargo ship that sank off the coast of Spain in December 2024 may have been carrying submarine nuclear reactor components to North Korea, CNN reported on May 12, citing a Spanish investigation and sources familiar with it.

Russia, North Korea: Sunken Russian Ship Raises Concerns Over Possible Nuclear Technology Transfer

Syria

Turkey

Turkey intends to fully reopen its Akcakale border crossing with Syria on May 12 for the first time since the start of Syria's civil war in 2011, The New Arab reported the same day, citing officials.

Syria: Turkey To Reopen Civilian Border as EU Formalizes Sanctions Relief

Ukraine

EU foreign ministers rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's suggestion that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder could represent Europe in possible future talks with Moscow on European security, Reuters reported on May 11.

EU, Russia, Ukraine: Europe Rejects Putin's Preferred Envoy for Future Security Talks

The United Kingdom's Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to resist a Labour leadership challenge, and he pledged to nationalize British Steel, pursue a new EU deal, and guarantee job or training offers for young people as priorities to relaunch his Labour government following electoral losses, the BBC reported on May 11.

U.K.: Starmer Vows To Stay On, Outlines New Priorities as Labour Rebels Call for Leadership Transition

French ambassador to Algeria Stephane Romatet is set to return to Algeria and resume his post on May 8, over a year after France recalled him, The New Arab reported on May 8.

France, Algeria: French Envoy To Return to Algeria in Sign of Warming Relations

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer ruled out resigning after preliminary results showed his Labour Party suffering heavy losses in May 7 local and devolved elections across England, Scotland and Wales, the BBC reported May 8.

U.K.: Starmer Rules Out Resignation After Heavy Labour Losses in Local Elections

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

France, Africa: Macron Concludes Africa-France Summit in Kenya, Travels to Ethiopia for Meeting With Abiy

EU, U.S.: Brussels Enters Talks to Join U.S.-Led Pax Silica Alliance

Russia, North Korea: Sunken Russian Ship Raises Concerns Over Possible Nuclear Technology Transfer

Syria: Turkey To Reopen Civilian Border as EU Formalizes Sanctions Relief

EU, Russia, Ukraine: Europe Rejects Putin's Preferred Envoy for Future Security Talks

U.K.: Starmer Vows To Stay On, Outlines New Priorities as Labour Rebels Call for Leadership Transition

France, Algeria: French Envoy To Return to Algeria in Sign of Warming Relations

U.K.: Starmer Rules Out Resignation After Heavy Labour Losses in Local Elections

Forecasts

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