Iraq

Energy

The federal government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government and oil companies operating in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq agreed to extend their three-month deal on oil exports by another three months, Rudaw reported on Dec. 25, citing an official from Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization, which handles international sales of KRG oil exports.

Iraq: Kurdish Oil Export Deal Extended by Another Three Months

Cuba

Mexico

Venezuela

Economics

Politics

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the shipment of 80,000 barrels of oil to Cuba, stating that it occurred pursuant to historic bilateral agreements and for humanitarian reasons, Efe reported Dec. 22.

Cuba: Mexico Confirms Oil Shipments Amid U.S. Blockade of Venezuela

United States

Military & Security

The U.S. Coast Guard and Defense Department seized a second and third oil tanker Dec. 20 and Dec. 21, respectively, off the coast of Venezuela, AP reported Dec. 21.

Venezuela: U.S. Forces Seize Two Additional Tankers

Bolivia

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz on Dec. 17 declared an economic emergency, cutting fuel subsidies, Bloomberg reported on Dec. 18. 

Bolivia: President Declares Economic Emergency, Cuts Fuel Subsidies

Mexican state-run oil company Pemex has awarded five of the 11 new joint venture contracts it had planned to close by year-end, Reuters reported on Dec. 17.

Mexico: Pemex's JVs Attract Limited Private Sector Interest Under New Interventionist Framework

India

India's lower house passed legislation to open the nuclear power sector to private participation and allow foreign companies to partner with Indian companies and obtain licenses to set up nuclear power plants, Reuters reported on Dec. 17.

India: Atomic Energy Bill Passed in India's Lower House

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, Reuters reported on Dec. 16.

U.S., Venezuela: Trump Orders Total Blockade of Sanctioned Tankers Around Venezuela

Ukraine

Russia

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The U.S. Trump administration plans to target Russia's energy sector with a new package of sanctions if the Kremlin rejects a peace deal plan that the United States and Ukraine are finalizing, Bloomberg reported on Dec. 17, citing multiple unnamed sources familiar with the plan.

Russia, U.S.: Washington Reportedly Preparing New Sanctions on Russian Energy

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

Europe

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

Central African Republic

Guinea

Israel

Myanmar

Bulgaria

Cyprus

Kosovo

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

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

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.

Cyber

Environment, Science & Technology

Israel-Hamas Conflict

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

2026 Annual Forecast: A Global Overview

China

Uzbekistan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Kazakhstan

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

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

Honduras

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their bilateral meeting during the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit.

The Weekly Rundown: Putin-Modi Meeting, Honduras General Election

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev address participants of the 21st Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum via a video link during their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on Nov. 12, 2025. 

The deals signed during Kazakh President Tokayev's recent trip to Moscow will provide Astana with short-term stability but will limit its strategic autonomy and ability to further engage with the West, while heightening its exposure to Russian coercion.

What Russia's Courtship of Kazakhstan Says About the Shifting Balance of Power in Eurasia

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Yemen's Houthi fighters man machine guns mounted on trucks as they participate in a weaponized protest staged against the United States and Israel on Nov. 6, 2025 in Sanaa, Yemen. 

Israel is expected to soon launch another offensive against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, which will risk reigniting the civil war and exposing Gulf countries and Red Sea shipping to retaliatory attacks.

What a Renewed Israel-Houthi Conflict Would Mean for Yemen and Gulf Security

U.S. President Donald Trump (C), joined by lawmakers and members of his administration, delivers remarks during a dinner with leaders of Central Asian countries in the East Room of the White House on Nov. 6, 2025.

The recent C5+1 summit highlighted the U.S.'s desire to boost cooperation with Central Asian countries on trade and critical minerals, but the region's geography, governance and reliance on China and Russia will ultimately limit the impact of such efforts. 

The Promise and Limits of Increased U.S. Engagement in Central Asia

Entrance signage is seen at OPEC's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on July 23, 2024.

Riyadh and its Gulf partners will likely prioritize OPEC+ unity and cooperation with Moscow on oil policy over boosting production to offset Russian supply losses from U.S. sanctions, even if it risks irking Washington.

Why Saudi Arabia Won't Backfill Russia's Sanctioned Oil Exports

Mali

Malian trucks carrying fuel are seen waiting to cross the border between Cote d'Ivoire and Mali on Oct. 31, 2025. 

In the likely case that the junta fails to lift the blockade on Bamako by force, rising internal tensions could ultimately fragment the country's security forces, potentially enabling the al Qaeda affiliate JNIM to assert control over the capital.

Mali's Junta Fights for Its Life as Jihadists Tighten Their Noose on Bamako

Energy

SITUATION REPORTS

Iraq: Kurdish Oil Export Deal Extended by Another Three Months

Cuba: Mexico Confirms Oil Shipments Amid U.S. Blockade of Venezuela

Venezuela: U.S. Forces Seize Two Additional Tankers

Bolivia: President Declares Economic Emergency, Cuts Fuel Subsidies

Mexico: Pemex's JVs Attract Limited Private Sector Interest Under New Interventionist Framework

India: Atomic Energy Bill Passed in India's Lower House

U.S., Venezuela: Trump Orders Total Blockade of Sanctioned Tankers Around Venezuela

Russia, U.S.: Washington Reportedly Preparing New Sanctions on Russian Energy

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