<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

Slovakia

Albania

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

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer poses with his wife Victoria at the door to 10 Downing Street after making a statement on his future outside 10 Downing Street on the morning of June 22, 2026, in London. 

Economics

Politics

While a swift leadership transition by mid-July could restore near-term political stability, investors will focus on whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer's successor will be able to successfully balance party unity with fiscal discipline.


Burnham Premiership Could Stabilize U.K. Politics, But Markets Remain Cautious

Assessments

United States

Iran

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a meeting with leaders of the G7 Engagement Groups ahead of the upcoming G7 summit at the Elysee Palace in Paris on June 10, 2026. 

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: U.S.-Iran Talks Continue, France Hosts G7 Summit

U.S.-Iran Relations

China

A digital illustration of Europe.

Environment, Science & Technology

The EU's push to reduce its reliance on foreign technology suppliers risks angering both China and the U.S., while execution will be hindered by domestic industrial constraints and internal political divisions.

Key Takeaways From the EU's Tech Sovereignty Package

Citizens vote by raising their hands during the Landsgemeinde, a traditional public, non-secret ballot conducted by majority rule, in Appenzell, eastern Switzerland, on April 26.

Global Trade

If approved, the cap on the permanent resident population would compel Swiss companies to accelerate capital investment and automation initiatives to offset reduced EU migration.


Swiss Population Referendum Threatens Growth and EU Relations

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk attend a signing ceremony of a UK-Poland defence and security treaty at the Battle of Britain Bunker on May 27 in London, England.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Concerned about the reliability of the United States' security commitments, European nations are increasingly relying on bilateral defense agreements to secure their strategic interests and deter Russian aggression.


U.K. and Poland Hedge Against Transatlantic Uncertainty With Bilateral Treaty

A National Police van is parked in front of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party headquarters during the Civil Guard's police search on May 27, 2026, in Madrid, Spain. 

Widening inquiries into public procurement and influence peddling will continue to weaken the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Scandals Linked to Spanish PM Sanchez Point to Continued Political Paralysis 

Greenland

U.S. special envoy to Greenland, Republican Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (center right), and Greenlandic mason and Trump supporter Jorgen Boassen (center left) are pictured in Nuuk, Greenland, on May 20, 2026, on the sidelines of the Future Greenland business fair. 

Ongoing talks with Greenland and Denmark will likely yield a deal that meets most U.S. objectives without requiring formal annexation, though a broader transatlantic crisis remains possible if negotiations collapse.

Can the U.S. Reach a Compromise on Greenland That Averts a Transatlantic Crisis?

Israel

Palestinian Territories

The EU and Israeli flags in March 2024 in central Berlin's Rotes Rathaus. Although the European Union has sanctioned extremist Israeli settlers, deep-seated internal divisions and a reliance on Israeli defense systems will likely prevent the bloc from imposing comprehensive trade restrictions.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Although the European Union has sanctioned extremist Israeli settlers, deep-seated internal divisions and a reliance on Israeli defense systems will likely prevent the bloc from imposing comprehensive trade restrictions.

Targeted EU Sanctions on Israeli Settlers Unlikely To Broaden Into Wider Restrictions 

Egypt

Jordan

Lebanon

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Syria

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Right-wing activists gather with Israeli flags outside the Damascus Gate of the walled Old City of Jerusalem on May 26, 2025, during a flag march for Jerusalem Day, commemorating the Israeli army's 1967 capture of the city's eastern sector during the Arab-Israeli war.

Israel's quest for middle-power status will be defined by its ability to unify its Jerusalem core, which has remained divided throughout the modern state's history.

The Modern Geopolitics of Israel

Ukraine

Russia

EU and Ukrainian flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters on Feb. 23, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium.

While a European mediator may unblock frozen peace talks, a durable peace settlement remains unlikely until both Russia and Ukraine conclude that continued war is more costly than compromise.

The Limited Promise of EU Mediation in Ukraine Peace Talks

What Happened: The European Union, Germany, the Netherlands and Greece joined Pax Silica, the U.S.-led initiative to build China-free supply chains for semiconductors, AI infrastructure and critical minerals, at the opening of a summit in Washington on June 23, the Financial Times reported the same day.

EU, U.S., China: Brussels Joins U.S.-Led Pax Silica Alliance 

Afghanistan

A five-man Afghan Taliban delegation met with EU staff representing 15 member states in Brussels, Belgium, for closed-door talks on the logistics of repatriating Afghan migrants deported by European governments, AP reported on June 23.

Afghanistan, EU: Afghan Taliban, EU Meet in Brussels To Discuss Migrant Deportations

Romania's Parliament rejected the government proposed by Prime Minister-designate Adrian Vestea in a confidence vote, Romania Insider reported on June 22. 

Romania: Parliament Rejects Another Government, Prolonging Political Crisis

India

India and the United Kingdom agreed to implement their free trade agreement on July 15 after London addressed India's concerns about higher U.K. steel tariffs set to take effect on July 1, Reuters reported on June 17.

India, U.K.: Trade Deal To Be Implemented Mid-July Following British Assurances on Steel Tariffs

Speaking ahead of a NATO defense ministers' summit in Brussels, Belgium, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of U.S. force posture and basing in Europe, tying its outcome to how quickly European allies assume primary responsibility for the Continent's defense, a June 18 transcript by the U.S. Department of Defense shows.

U.S., Europe: U.S. Launches Force Posture Review as It Presses Europe To Shoulder Its Own Defense

Germany and Poland signed a new bilateral defense cooperation agreement in Warsaw on June 17 focused on cooperation in the Baltic Sea, infrastructure and cybersecurity, a joint press release indicates.

Poland, Germany: Berlin and Warsaw Sign Bilateral Defense Pact, but Without Mutual Defense Clause

Italy will deploy a SAMP/T air defense system to Turkey's 3rd Main Jet Air Base Command in Konya to boost Turkey's air defenses over the next six months, Turkey's defense ministry said in a June 17 statement.

Turkey, Italy: Italy Deploys Anti-Ballistic Missile SAMP/T System to Konya

The European Parliament voted 440 in favor, 151 against and 50 abstaining to approve legislation implementing the July 2025 EU-U.S. trade framework, the parliament announced in a June 16 press release.

EU, U.S.: European Parliament Approves EU-U.S. Trade Deal Implementation

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

EU, U.S., China: Brussels Joins U.S.-Led Pax Silica Alliance

Afghanistan, EU: Afghan Taliban, EU Meet in Brussels To Discuss Migrant Deportations

Romania: Parliament Rejects Another Government, Prolonging Political Crisis

India, U.K.: Trade Deal To Be Implemented Mid-July Following British Assurances on Steel Tariffs

U.S., Europe: U.S. Launches Force Posture Review as It Presses Europe To Shoulder Its Own Defense

Poland, Germany: Berlin and Warsaw Sign Bilateral Defense Pact, but Without Mutual Defense Clause

Turkey, Italy: Italy Deploys Anti-Ballistic Missile SAMP/T System to Konya

EU, U.S.: European Parliament Approves EU-U.S. Trade Deal Implementation

Forecasts

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