Canada

United States

Australia

China

Japan

New Zealand

South Korea

United Kingdom

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Military & Security

Politics

Science & Technology

Leaders of the AUKUS grouping (the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia) issued a joint statement on Sept. 18 revealing ongoing consultations with Canada, New Zealand and South Korea to collaborate on Pillar II of the agreement.

AUKUS: Joint Statement Hints at Expansion

Ukraine

Russia

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

U.S. President Joe Biden will discuss relaxing restrictions on strikes inside Russia when he meets U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer Sept. 13, Bloomberg reported Sept. 12. 

U.S., U.K., Russia, Ukraine: U.S. and U.K. Preparing to Relax Restrictions on Strikes Inside Russia

Iran

Germany

France

France, Germany and the United Kingdom -- the so-called E3 grouping of signatories to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal -- issued a joint statement on Sept. 10 criticizing Iran's transfer of short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine.

Europe: France, Germany and the U.K. Sanction Iran Over Missile Transfers to Russia

Europe

Cyber

The European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States are expected to sign the Council of Europe's Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, or AI, in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Sept. 5, the Financial Times reported the same day.

Global: Council of Europe Members To Begin Signing Global AI Treaty

Israel

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The United Kingdom suspended 30 of its 350 arms export licenses to Israel, effective immediately, due to risks that Israel could use the weapons in violation of international humanitarian law, Reuters reported on Sept. 2. 

U.K., Israel: London Partially Suspends Arms Export Licenses to Israel

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to deepen bilateral ties in areas such as defense and security, illegal migration and energy trading during a meeting in Paris, France, Reuters reported on Aug. 29.

U.K., France: Starmer's Diplomatic Outreach in Europe Continues With Macron Meeting

Energy

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed to launch negotiations on a bilateral cooperation treaty covering areas such as foreign policy coordination, irregular migration, renewable energy investments, supply chain resilience, energy security and research, innovation, and emerging technology, a joint declaration published by both governments shows Aug. 28.

U.K., Germany: Starmer and Scholz Launch Negotiations for Bilateral Cooperation Agreement

The British government denied media reports that it is reconsidering a proposal by the European Commission for a youth mobility deal that the previous Conservative government and now ruling Labour Party rejected in April, the Financial Times reported on Aug. 22, citing a government spokesperson. 

U.K., EU: U.K. Labour Government Says It Is Not Seeking EU Youth Mobility Deal

Assessments

Italy

A Russian warship transits the Neva River in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Russia's risk tolerance for physical and cyber operations against Western targets appears to be increasing, raising the likelihood of more disruptive and/or violent attacks.

A More Brazen Russia Slowly Raises the Specter of a NATO Confrontation

Venezuela

Lebanon

Bangladesh

Nicolas Maduro on Aug. 7, 2024, in Caracas, Venezuela. The presidents of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Gustavo Petro and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, respectively, are considering a call with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Aug. 12 in a bid to promote negotiations with the opposition to cool the risk of further violent unrest.

Social Issues

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

The Weekly Rundown: Awaiting Iranian Retaliation, Bangladesh's New Government

Columns

On Geopolitics

Ireland

Labour leader and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (R) speaks with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar (L) on July 07, 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The July 4 general election laid bare evolving political dynamics in Scotland and Northern Ireland pushing the two nations' respective secessionist movements in different directions. 

The July 4 general election laid bare evolving political dynamics in Scotland and Northern Ireland pushing the two nations' respective secessionist movements in different directions.

The New British Government and Scottish and Northern Irish Separatism

Snapshots

Far-right activists gather in Sunderland, England, on Aug. 2, 2024, after misinformation spread via social media falsely attributed to a Muslim migrant to the recent murders of three girls in Southport.

The unrest following a fatal attack falsely blamed on a Muslim migrant underscores the growing threat of far-right extremism and disinformation in the U.K. and Europe more broadly, but the riots are unlikely to notably impact the new Labour government.

The New U.K. Government Faces Its First Test Amid Rash of Far-Right Riots

Ghana

Kenya

Nigeria

Uganda

Philippines

India

A motorcyclist looks at his phone in front of a National Electoral Council poster promoting the upcoming presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 23, 2024.

Global Elections

The Weekly Rundown: An Election in Venezuela, Economic Reforms in the U.K.

A swarm of drones make an Indian flag in the sky over New Delhi, India, on Jan. 29, 2022.

The U.K.'s new Labour government has pledged to ink a trade deal with India after its predecessor failed to do so, but disputes over immigration and climate policies could stall progress.

With Elections Behind Them, the U.K. and India Resume Trade Talks

The United Kingdom's Parliament building in London.

A likely Labour government would shift the United Kingdom's economic and energy priorities, but foreign policy would remain largely consistent.

After 14 Years, What Would a U.K. Labour Government Look Like?

U.K. Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak holds a campaign event on June 24, 2024, in London.

The Weekly Rundown: SCO Leaders Meet, France and the U.K. Hold Elections

The Labour Party is expected to comfortably win the July 4 general election, ending 14 years of Conservative Party rule. But a hung parliament where no party secures a majority cannot be ruled out.

2024 Elections: The United Kingdom

South Africa

Palestinian Territories

Supporters of the African National Congress (ANC) party dance, sing and chant slogans during a campaign march on May 24, 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

The Weekly Rundown: South Africa's General Election, Israel Resumes Hostage Talks With Hamas

Ballots are counted during local elections in Thornaby, England, on May 3, 2024. 

The outcome of the votes in England and Wales confirms the ruling Conservative Party will likely perform poorly in the general election, but also that the opposition Labour Party will face competition from smaller parties.

What To Make of the Local U.K. Election Results

Fiji

Indonesia

North Korea

Singapore

Vietnam

A 3D rendering of Southeast Asia from space at night with city lights showing Southeast Asian cities in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

U.S.-China Relations

In the Asia-Pacific, countries are increasingly pursuing complex networks of political, economic and defense ties as part of a burgeoning "multi-alignment" strategy that seeks to avoid U.S.-China strategic competition.

Examining 'Multi-Alignment' in the Asia-Pacific

<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

AUKUS: Joint Statement Hints at Expansion

U.S., U.K., Russia, Ukraine: U.S. and U.K. Preparing to Relax Restrictions on Strikes Inside Russia

Europe: France, Germany and the U.K. Sanction Iran Over Missile Transfers to Russia

Global: Council of Europe Members To Begin Signing Global AI Treaty

U.K., Israel: London Partially Suspends Arms Export Licenses to Israel

U.K., France: Starmer's Diplomatic Outreach in Europe Continues With Macron Meeting

U.K., Germany: Starmer and Scholz Launch Negotiations for Bilateral Cooperation Agreement

U.K., EU: U.K. Labour Government Says It Is Not Seeking EU Youth Mobility Deal

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