Netherlands

Economics

Energy

Politics

The leaders of the Netherlands' centrist-liberal Democrats 66 and the center-right Christian Democratic Appeal and People's Party for Freedom and Democracy agreed to form a minority coalition government after months of negotiations, Reuters reported on Jan. 27.

Netherlands: Dutch Center-Right Parties Agree To Form Minority Coalition Government

Kazakhstan

Karachaganak Petroleum Operating BV, the consortium operating Kazakhstan's Karachaganak oil and gas field, lost an international arbitration case, leaving it potentially liable to pay $2 billion to $4 billion in compensation for unapproved cost recoveries under the production-sharing agreement, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 26. 

Kazakhstan: Arbitration Ruling Raises Stakes for Energy Investors

United States

Venezuela

Military & Security

The Trump administration is planning to establish a permanent CIA presence in Venezuela to support the United States' increased footprint there, CNN reported on Jan. 27. 

U.S., Venezuela: CIA Presence in Venezuela Points to Trump's Long-Term Ambitions

South Africa

Changes announced by South African Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa regarding the unbundling of state-owned utility company Eskom are facing mounting opposition from within South Africa's business community and parts of government, including the National Treasury, News24 reported on Jan. 26.

South Africa: Controversy Mounts Over Watering Down of Eskom Unbundling Plans

Ukraine

Russia

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine, Russia and the United States are preparing additional trilateral meetings for Feb. 1, following their first round of talks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Interfax-Ukraine reported on Jan. 26. 

Ukraine, Russia, U.S: Trilateral Talks Set To Continue as Territorial Red Lines Hold

Europe

Bulgaria

Slovakia

Hungary

EU energy ministers formally approved legislation to phase out imports of Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas by the end of 2027, the European Council said in a press release on Jan. 26.

EU, Russia: EU Adopts Binding Ban on Russian Gas Imports by 2027

Cuba

Mexico

The U.S. Trump administration is considering imposing a total blockade on Cuba's oil imports as part of broader measures aimed at ousting the current socialist government on the island, Politico reported on Jan. 23. 

U.S., Cuba: Trump Administration Considers Full Oil Blockade on Cuba

Mali

Malian state media announced that the government would limit the passage of cars to pumping stations to once every 72 hours and motorcycles every 48 hours due to challenges in securing fuel supplies amid a persisting fuel blockade by al Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, Radio France Internationale reported on Jan. 22.

Mali: Government Announces Fuel Rationing Amid Persistent Supply Challenges

The world is connected, but even the broadest topics deserve an individual look. Below are our latest and most relevant energy analyses.

Below are our latest and most relevant energy analyses.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

The Libyan Civil War

The Fight Against the Islamic State

The Politics of Pipelines

_Energy

Nigeria: Obstacles to Prosperity

The Battle for Mosul

A Crude Recovery

Broken Contracts in the Middle East

Russia's Internal Struggle

East African Integration

Assessments

Canada

A 3D rendering of the Canadian, U.S. and Mexican flags.

The White House is expected to utilize threats of scrapping the trilateral pact in favor of bilateral agreements as a high-stakes negotiating tactic, creating a period of intense business uncertainty and market volatility.

The Outlook for USMCA Renegotiation in 2026

Media

China

Forecast Webcast

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2026 Annual Geopolitical Forecast.

2026 Annual Geopolitical Forecast Webcast

U.S.-China Relations

Greenland

Denmark

The Danish-flagged DMS Lauge Koch, an offshore Royal Danish Navy patrol vessel, docks at the Port of Nuuk on March 12, 2025, in Nuuk, Greenland.

Scenarios for the coming year range from unilateral military action by the United States to a U.S.-Denmark agreement to expand Washington's capabilities on the island.


How Could the U.S. Seek To 'Take' Greenland?

Cyber

Environment, Science & Technology

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Social Issues

As elections reshape political incentives worldwide, 2026 will see major powers recalibrate diplomacy and conflict, raising the risk of fragile deals, regional instability and sudden escalation.

2026 Annual Geopolitical Forecast: An Excerpt

U.S.-Iran Relations

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

North Korea

South Korea

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet takes off from Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport on December 15, 2025 in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. If U.S. strikes escalate and cause significant casualties, it could make retaliatory measures -- including the arbitrary detention of U.S. citizens in Venezuela or the harassment of energy sector vessels in the region -- more likely.

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 Korea's President Visits Beijing, U.S. Operations in Venezuela

Podcasts

How has U.S. interest in the Middle East evolved over time? 

Essential Geopolitics: A Historical Look Back on U.S.-Middle East Relations

Central African Republic

Guinea

Israel

Myanmar

Cyprus

Kosovo

The Bulgarian flag and the European flag waving in the wind.

The Weekly Rundown: Bulgaria Adopts the Euro, U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Persist

Algeria

People walk through a main square in Algeria's capital of Algiers on Sept. 15, 2024.

By introducing Sharia-compliant debt instruments, the Algerian government aims to tap into significant informal savings and diversify its funding sources while avoiding external debt. 

Algeria's Islamic Bonds an Incomplete Step Toward Diversifying Government Revenues

A container ship arrives Oct. 10 at the Port of Oakland, California. In 2026, political calculations among major global players will significantly shape international affairs.

In 2026, political calculations among major global players will significantly shape international affairs.

2026 Annual Forecast: A Global Overview

Uzbekistan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Kyrgyzstan

Global Trade

Despite growing interest from Russia, China and Western powers, Central Asia will struggle to emerge as a true continental trade hub due to competing agendas, weak financing and coordination, and security and governance issues.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Central Asia's Struggle for Logistics Sovereignty

Russia's President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by Kremlin economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, meets with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner at the Kremlin in Moscow on Dec. 2, 2025.

Fundamental disagreements between Ukraine and Russia over territorial concessions and security guarantees suggest that peace negotiations are unlikely to lead to a comprehensive breakthrough.

Despite U.S. Diplomatic Push, Ukraine Peace Still a Long Way Off

India

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin on Sept. 1, 2025.

While Putin's Dec. 4-5 visit may yield some progress in defense, energy and trade cooperation, India will likely maintain selective engagement with Russia as it navigates U.S. pressure and continues diversifying its arms suppliers.

What To Expect as Putin Visits India

Energy

SITUATION REPORTS

Netherlands: Dutch Center-Right Parties Agree To Form Minority Coalition Government

Kazakhstan: Arbitration Ruling Raises Stakes for Energy Investors

U.S., Venezuela: CIA Presence in Venezuela Points to Trump's Long-Term Ambitions

South Africa: Controversy Mounts Over Watering Down of Eskom Unbundling Plans

Ukraine, Russia, U.S: Trilateral Talks Set To Continue as Territorial Red Lines Hold

EU, Russia: EU Adopts Binding Ban on Russian Gas Imports by 2027

U.S., Cuba: Trump Administration Considers Full Oil Blockade on Cuba

Mali: Government Announces Fuel Rationing Amid Persistent Supply Challenges

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