Cuba

United States

Venezuela

Iran

China

Russia

Energy

Military & Security

Politics

Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez said in an annual address before the National Assembly that Venezuela is a sovereign nation that has the right to maintain ties with Russia, China, Iran and Cuba, El Pais reported on Jan. 15.

Venezuela: Rodriguez Outlines Challenging Balancing Act in Speech Before National Assembly

U.S. President Donald Trump and acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez spoke by phone, El Pais reported on Jan. 14.

U.S., Venezuela: Trump-Rodriguez Phone Call Further Indicates De-escalation in Bilateral Tensions

Venezuela's state-owned company Petroleos de Venezuela, better known as PDVSA, started reversing oil production cuts, while Washington has filed for court warrants to seize more sanctioned tankers shipping Venezuelan oil, Reuters reported on Jan. 13. 

U.S., Venezuela: PDVSA Resumes Oil Production Amid Washington's Efforts To Seize More Tankers

Oman

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Economics

Iran has warned regional countries that U.S. bases in the Middle East could be targeted in retaliation for potential U.S. attacks in support of Iranian protesters, Reuters reported Jan. 14. 

U.S., Iran: Tehran Warns of Potential Attacks Against U.S. Bases, U.S. Partially Evacuates

Ukraine

Kazakhstan

Unidentified drones attacked oil tankers near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, or CPC, terminal in the Black Sea, Reuters reported on Jan. 13, a development later confirmed by Kazakhstan's energy ministry.

Kazakhstan: Black Sea Strikes Threaten Key Export Route and Economic Stability

Environment, Science & Technology

Danish wind developer Orsted will be allowed to resume construction on its Revolution Wind project off the coast of Rhode Island after a federal judge on Jan. 12 issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Department of the Interior's December 2025 suspension of Orsted's lease for the project and an associated stop-work order on the project, the Financial Times reported on Jan. 13.

U.S.: Federal Judge Allows Orsted To Resume Construction on Revolution Wind Project

Mali

Residents in Mali's capital, Bamako, are increasingly aggrieved by severe power shortages, with many receiving just two to five hours of electricity per day and some areas experiencing blackouts lasting longer than 24 hours, Radio France Internationale reported on Jan. 8.

Mali: Anger in Bamako Rises Over Fuel Power Crisis Amid JNIM Blockade

U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington's oversight of Venezuela could last "much longer" than one year, The New York Times reported on Jan. 8.

U.S., Venezuela: Trump Says U.S. Could Oversee Venezuelan Oil for Years

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

Canada

Mexico

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

Forecast Webcast

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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

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

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

Bulgaria

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

Venezuela: Rodriguez Outlines Challenging Balancing Act in Speech Before National Assembly

U.S., Venezuela: Trump-Rodriguez Phone Call Further Indicates De-escalation in Bilateral Tensions

U.S., Venezuela: PDVSA Resumes Oil Production Amid Washington's Efforts To Seize More Tankers

U.S., Iran: Tehran Warns of Potential Attacks Against U.S. Bases, U.S. Partially Evacuates

Kazakhstan: Black Sea Strikes Threaten Key Export Route and Economic Stability

U.S.: Federal Judge Allows Orsted To Resume Construction on Revolution Wind Project

Mali: Anger in Bamako Rises Over Fuel Power Crisis Amid JNIM Blockade

U.S., Venezuela: Trump Says U.S. Could Oversee Venezuelan Oil for Years

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