United Kingdom

Belgium

Economics

Military & Security

Politics

The European Union continues to demand further British concessions on fishing rights and youth mobility as part of a new, broader EU-U.K. post-Brexit cooperation framework, only days ahead of the London U.K.-EU summit on May 19, delaying finalization of a draft summit communique, the Financial Times reported May 15.

EU, U.K.: Post-Brexit Disagreements Continue to Complicate EU-U.K. Security and Defense Pact

Germany

France

Poland

Ukraine

Russia

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

EU ambassadors approved a new package of sanctions on Russia, the 17th since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with measures including visa bans and asset freezes on senior Russian officials, export bans on dual-use chemicals and restrictions targeting dozens of companies accused of sanctions evasion, Politico reported May 14. 

EU, Russia: EU Ambassadors Approve 17th Package of Sanctions Against Russia

British right-wing opposition party Reform UK won its fifth parliamentary seat in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election -- narrowly defeating the Labour Party of Prime Minister Keir Starmer by six votes, the BBC reported on May 2.

U.K.: Right-Wing Party's Electoral Gains Pressure Labour and Conservatives

United States

Yemen

The United Kingdom conducted airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in coordination with the United States for the first time since the Labour Party took control of the U.K. government in July, BBC reported April 30.

U.K., Yemen: U.K. Conducts First Airstrike on Houthis Under New Government

Europe

The United Kingdom is considering dropping plans to deploy thousands of troops to Ukraine as part of a pan-European mission to provide Kyiv with post-conflict security guarantees, citing excessive risks and inadequate forces, The Times reported on April 25, citing British diplomatic and military sources.

Europe, Ukraine, Russia: London Weighs Watering Down Ukraine Reassurance Force Plans

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that European countries have communicated to the United States their key non-negotiable positions regarding any prospective peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, ahead of renewed talks scheduled for April 23 in London, Reuters reported April 22. 

Europe, Ukraine, U.S.: Europe Sets Red Lines on Ukraine Peace Deal

U.S. Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about a potential trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom aimed at removing broad tariffs recently imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, The Guardian reported on April 15. 

U.K., U.S.: Vance Says U.S.-U.K. Trade Deal Is in Sight

Sudan

United Arab Emirates

The Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, imposed a curfew in the Darfuri city of El Fasher after the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, seized the neighboring Zamzam refugee camp, Sudan Tribune reported on April 14.

Sudan: SAF Imposes Curfew in El Fasher as U.K. Hosts Peace Conference With Regional Players

Assessments

A digital illustration of the U.K. and EU flags.

The agreements will institutionalize defense cooperation and ease trade frictions, though lingering political constraints will limit deeper integration in the near term.

The U.K.-EU Deal Signals a Strategic Recalibration of Post-Brexit Trade and Defense Relations

South Africa

China

Taiwan

Portugal

Romania

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on May 21 during an official trip to the United States.

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 Africa's U.S. Reset, Three European Elections

U.S. President Donald Trump -- flanked by Vice President JD Vance (left) and Peter Mandelson, the U.K. ambassador to the United States (right) -- holds a phone call with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the Oval Office of the White House on May 8, 2025. 

Global Trade

The agreement's narrow scope and quota system suggest the White House remains intent on restricting imports, meaning tariff relief for most other countries reaching deals will also be limited.

Trump Reaches First Post-Tariff Trade Deal With the U.K.

Snapshots

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (2 L) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C) attend a meeting with European and Ukrainian officials on April 17 at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris.

Ukraine will be forced to choose between compromising on its supposed red lines to de-escalate its war with Russia, or risk losing U.S. support and its battlefield position. 

Growing U.S. Pressure for a Peace Deal Puts Ukraine in a Difficult Position

Iran

Workers at a quarry Feb. 26, 2025 in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine.

Cyber

U.S.-Iran Relations

The Weekly Rundown: Von der Leyen Meets Starmer, a U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal

Columns

On Geopolitics

Spain

Italy

NATO military forces during static display after the Steadfast Dart 2025 military exercises at the Smardan Training Area in Smardan, Romania, on Feb. 19, 2025. 

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

Europe is increasingly focused on achieving greater strategic autonomy in defense, but internal divisions and material constraints will plague this quest, even as the United States' role on the Continent continues to shrink, meaning NATO will likely remain the cornerstone of Europe’s security architecture. 

The Future of Transatlantic Security Cooperation, Part 2: The View From Europe

Israel

A list of countries facing reciprocal tariffs on display April 2 at the White House.

U.S.-China Relations

The Weekly Rundown: The Escalating Global Trade War, South Africa's Coalition Government on the Brink

Canada

Mexico

Vietnam

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on reciprocal tariffs as U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick holds a chart during an event in the Rose Garden entitled ''Make America Wealthy Again'' at the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 2025. 

Trump's sweeping new tariffs will slow both U.S. and global economic growth, with lower-income Americans and emerging markets like Vietnam being hit hardest.

The U.S. Launches the Largest Trade War in Modern History

Turkey

South Korea

People wave flags and chant slogans during a protest in front of the municipality headquarters in support of arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey. 

The Weekly Rundown: U.S. To Announce Tariffs, Protests in Turkey Rage On

New Zealand

India

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) walks with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (R) before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on March 17, 2025. 

U.S. tariff threats are pushing India to revamp negotiations over free trade agreements, but protectionist trade policies and other obstacles will challenge the progression of talks.

India Dusts Off Old FTA Negotiations Ahead of U.S. Tariffs

Brazil

Lebanon

Japan

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a joint press conference Feb. 16 at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem. Senior Israeli officials from the security and intelligence ministries will visit the United States to discuss Iran's nuclear program and Israeli border demarcation talks with Lebanon.

The Weekly Rundown: The U.S. and Israel Coordinate on Iran, the U.K. Chancellor Seeks Fiscal Discipline

Ukrainian flags are flown alongside EU flags outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 24, 2025, for the third anniversary of Russia'’s large-scale invasion.

Amid the prospect of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, European leaders are mulling putting boots on the ground in Ukraine to help deter Russian aggression, which could take several forms, each varying in effectiveness and feasibility.

Weighing the Options for a European Deployment in Ukraine

<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

EU, U.K.: Post-Brexit Disagreements Continue to Complicate EU-U.K. Security and Defense Pact

EU, Russia: EU Ambassadors Approve 17th Package of Sanctions Against Russia

U.K.: Right-Wing Party's Electoral Gains Pressure Labour and Conservatives

U.K., Yemen: U.K. Conducts First Airstrike on Houthis Under New Government

Europe, Ukraine, Russia: London Weighs Watering Down Ukraine Reassurance Force Plans

Europe, Ukraine, U.S.: Europe Sets Red Lines on Ukraine Peace Deal

U.K., U.S.: Vance Says U.S.-U.K. Trade Deal Is in Sight

Sudan: SAF Imposes Curfew in El Fasher as U.K. Hosts Peace Conference With Regional Players

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