<p>Everything that informs geopolitics can be found in South Asia: challenging demographics, geographic diversity, and contentious, ill-defined borders. The Himalayan Mountains form the northern border of South Asia, whose two main rivers, the Indus and the Ganges, support the region&rsquo;s great population centers. India is the region&rsquo;s dominant country, home to the world&rsquo;s fastest growing economy. But its rivalry with neighboring Pakistan, a fellow nuclear power and growing consumer market, has made South Asia one of the world&rsquo;s most dangerous nuclear flashpoints. The region is also a testament to how militancy and militarism can undermine the regional integration needed to unleash higher economic growth.</p>

Everything that informs geopolitics can be found in South Asia: challenging demographics, geographic diversity, and contentious, ill-defined borders. 

South Asia

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Bhutan

India

Maldives

Nepal

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

The India-Pakistan Rivalry

The Politics of Pipelines

Banking

Crossing Borders

Globalization

Social Issues

The Pulse of Political Islam

Instability in Central Asia

South Asian Militancy

India's Own Worst Enemy

Pakistan: A Military With a Country

Snapshots

Supporters of Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami party wave the national flag in Dhaka during a rally held to call for the introduction of a proportional representation system in the country's forthcoming general election on July 19, 2025. 

Military & Security

Politics

While delays remain possible, the interim government will likely hold elections in February 2026 as promised, paving the way for a functioning parliament and the implementation of key reforms.

A Set Election Date Eases Political Uncertainty in Bangladesh

Assessments

Bolivia

Israel

Palestinian Territories

China

Russia

An aerial view shows a campaign poster of Bolivian presidential candidate Samuel Doria Medina and his supporters marching during a rally in La Paz, Bolivia, on Aug. 12, 2025.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Bolivian Elections, a Controversial Israeli Settlement Plan 

Workers at the Samsung plant in Sriperumbudur, India, stage a protest to demand higher wages and recognition of their union on Sept. 11, 2024. 

Economics

The labor reforms, aimed at streamlining regulations and attracting investment, face significant delays and uneven implementation due to political resistance, trade union opposition and state-level administrative challenges.

India's Labor Codes: Challenges to Nationwide Adoption

United States

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) looks at Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Nov. 30, 2018, during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet in the coming days.

Energy

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: A Trump-Putin Summit, the Deadline for a U.S.-China Tariff Pause

U.S.-China Relations

An oil tanker train passes near a refinery in Guwahati, India, on March 30, 2023. 

Global Trade

For now, India will likely keep importing cheap Russian oil in the hopes it can soon secure tariff relief, either directly via a U.S. trade deal or indirectly via a breakthrough in U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine.

Will Trump's Tariffs Deter India From Buying Russian Oil?

Germany

Uzbekistan

Tajikistan

The flag of Afghanistan sits on the Afghan embassy in Moscow on July 4, 2025. 

As Afghanistan's neighbors deepen ties with the Taliban and Western states remain cautious, a widening diplomatic divide threatens to complicate efforts to address the country's worsening crises and regional security risks.

The Growing International Divide Over Taliban Ties Will Risk Regional Stability

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) shakes hands with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu upon meeting in Male on July 25, 2025. 

Improving relations will strengthen India's strategic foothold in the Indian Ocean, while granting the Maldives access to crucial financial support.

Modi Resets Ties With the Maldives After Its 'India Out' Campaign

The entrance to the International Monetary Fund headquarters is seen in Washington, D.C.

While Bangladesh is making progress in its IMF program, risks persist, including political uncertainty, low foreign exchange reserves and high U.S. tariffs on its vital garment sector.

Bangladesh's Economic Outlook: Progress and Persistent Challenges

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

The third quarter of 2025 will be defined by disruptive trade policies fueling supply chain volatility and the persistent risk of escalation in major conflicts.

2025 Third-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Iran

Australia

Japan

A photo taken in Tehran, Iran, on June 26, 2025, shows an Iranian political banner hanging near the remains of a residential building struck by an Israeli attack. 

The Weekly Rundown: Fragile Iran-Israel Ceasefire Holds, U.S. Tariff Deadline Approaches

U.S.-Iran Relations

During his visit to Moscow, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said India and Russia will work to boost annual trade by around 50% over the next five years to reach $100 billion, emphasizing the need to address trade bottlenecks and lower nontariff barriers to achieve this target, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 21.

India, Russia: Governments Aim To Boost Annual Bilateral Trade to $100B by 2030

India's state-run refiners, Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum, have resumed purchases of Russian crude for September and October delivery after discounts on Urals widened to around $3 per barrel, up from the narrower $1.70-$2 discounts seen in August, Reuters reported on Aug. 20.

India, Russia: Indian State Refineries Continue Russian Crude Purchases Despite U.S. Warnings

Marking the conclusion of the Chinese foreign minister's two-day visit to New Delhi, India and China agreed to resume bilateral direct flights, maintain communications on transboundary rivers and water issues, and establish a group to formally explore demarcating sections of their disputed border, Reuters reported on Aug. 19.

India, China: Governments Continue To Ease Tensions With New Agreements 

The Afghan Taliban plans to host a trilateral meeting on Aug. 20 with China and Pakistan in Kabul, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 19. 

Afghanistan: Taliban To Host First Trilateral Talks With China and Pakistan in Kabul

In his Independence Day address, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined plans to reduce consumption taxes and implement next-generation reforms to the Goods and Services Tax, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 15.

India: Modi Announces Tax Cuts, Emphasizes Self-Reliance, Pledges Support for Farmers

The Afghan Taliban is diverting a large portion of foreign aid for its own ends, with only an estimated 30%-40% of aid reaching the Afghan population, according to an Aug. 13 report by the independent U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR.

Afghanistan: U.S. Report Details Afghan Aid Misuse, Including 'Collusion' With U.N. Officials

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is reportedly set to visit New Delhi on Aug. 18 for the first time in over three years, and he will meet with India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 14.

India, China: China Plans To Send Foreign Minister Wang Yi to New Delhi

Environment, Science & Technology

In the latest sign of easing tensions between Beijing and New Delhi, China relaxed restrictions on urea exports to India, and the two countries are reportedly set to resume direct flights as early as September, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 12.

India, China: Eased Exports, Resumed Flights Show Continued Thaw in Relations

South Asia

SITUATION REPORTS

India, Russia: Governments Aim To Boost Annual Bilateral Trade to $100B by 2030

India, Russia: Indian State Refineries Continue Russian Crude Purchases Despite U.S. Warnings

India, China: Governments Continue To Ease Tensions With New Agreements

Afghanistan: Taliban To Host First Trilateral Talks With China and Pakistan in Kabul

India: Modi Announces Tax Cuts, Emphasizes Self-Reliance, Pledges Support for Farmers

Afghanistan: U.S. Report Details Afghan Aid Misuse, Including 'Collusion' With U.N. Officials

India, China: China Plans To Send Foreign Minister Wang Yi to New Delhi

India, China: Eased Exports, Resumed Flights Show Continued Thaw in Relations

Forecasts

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