Ukraine

Russia

Military & Security

Politics

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

During a 4.5-hour end-of-year press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Moscow would only end the war in Ukraine if Kyiv abandoned its bid to join NATO and withdrew from all territories claimed by Russia, Reuters reported on Dec. 19.

Russia, Ukraine: Putin Digs In on Maximalist Peace Terms Ahead of Miami Talks

Ethiopia

Sudan

Egypt

Environment, Science & Technology

Following a meeting between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the Egyptian presidential office issued a statement on Dec. 18 that outlined a series of "red lines" regarding Sudan's civil war, namely the preservation of Sudan's territorial integrity, the rejection of parallel government entities and the preservation of state institutions.

Egypt: Cairo Outlines 'Red Lines' in Sudan, Secures SAF Support on Nile Tensions

Nigeria

Economics

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu presented the 58.18 trillion naira ($40 billion) budget for 2026 to a joint session of the National Assembly, with 5.41 trillion naira for defense and internal security, the single largest sectoral allocation, 6.0 trillion naira for education and health care, and 3.52 trillion naira for infrastructure, The Punch reported on Dec. 19.

Nigeria: Tinubu Presents 2026 Budget to National Assembly

Japan

The Japanese government publicly reaffirmed that it will not possess, produce or permit the introduction of nuclear weapons in its territory, Reuters reported on Dec. 19.

Japan: Prime Minister Reaffirms Nonnuclear Policy

Ghana

Ghana's government approved the creation of a 1 billion Ghanaian cedi
($86.85 million) Bawku Revitalisation Fund to rebuild the town of Bawku in the Upper East region following intercommunal violence, News Ghana reported on Dec. 19.

Ghana: Government Commits Nearly $87M To Restore Bawku Amid Intercommunal Clashes

Australia

Following a National Security Committee meeting, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled five legal changes strengthening rules on hate speech offenses, sentencing and organizational listing power, alongside expanded visa rejection criteria and authority for the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Financial Review reported on Dec. 18. 

Australia: Albanese Moves To Toughen Hate Speech Laws

Cambodia

Thailand

The Thai army said recent airstrikes in Cambodia targeted scam compounds and illegal casinos allegedly used by Cambodian forces as military facilities, including drone command centers and weapons depots, Bloomberg reported on Dec. 18.

Thailand, Cambodia: Bangkok Reframes Border Conflict as Crackdown on Transnational Scam Networks

United States

China

Taiwan

The United States initiated congressional notification procedures for a proposed $11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, the largest in history, covering high-mobility artillery rocket systems, howitzers, drones and anti-tank missiles, Reuters reported on Dec. 18.

Taiwan, U.S.: Washington Announces Record-Breaking $11B Arms Sale

U.S.-China Relations

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

Below are our latest and most relevant military analyses. 

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

The Syrian Civil War

The Yemen Civil War

The Libyan Civil War

The Fight Against the Islamic State

The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

The India-Pakistan Rivalry

Cyber

The Ukraine Conflict

Tracking U.S. Naval Power

The Battle for Mosul

Rebalancing Power in the Middle East

Coping With a Nuclear North Korea

The Jihadist Wars

Echoes of the Cold War

Instability in Central Asia

South Asian Militancy

Pakistan: A Military With a Country

Assessments

Israel

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

YemenYemenis rally to show their support for the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council on Dec. 14, 2025.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Escalating tensions and potential violence between the Southern Transitional Council and Saudi-backed forces create security vacuums that Houthi rebels will likely exploit.



Yemen's Anti-Houthi Bloc Is Fracturing

Mozambique

Republic of the Congo

Somalia

Syria

Afghanistan

A destroyed church is seen in Mosul, Iraq.

The Islamic State's main threat to the West in 2026 will remain its ability to inspire lone-actor violence, though in the coming years the group's African, Afghan and Syrian branches may become increasingly capable of directing mass casualty attacks in Western countries.

The Islamic State's Enduring Threat to the West

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.

Energy

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

2026 Annual Forecast: A Global Overview

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

A stock photo shows banknotes of the Russian ruble. 

The European Union using immobilized Russian assets to fund financial support for Ukraine will probably not have major reputational or financial consequences for the eurozone.


Using Frozen Russian Assets To Fund Ukraine Unlikely To Majorly Impact the Euro

South Africa

Chile

France

The Ukrainian flag is projected on the facade of Berlaymont, the European Commission headquarters, in Brussels on Nov. 18 to commemorate the Nov. 18, 2024, Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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

The Weekly Rundown: A European Council Decision on Ukraine Financing, South Africa Braces for Commission Findings

Tunisia

Tunisia's President Kais Saied (top-R) waits to take his oath of office during his swearing-in ceremony before the National Assembly in Tunis on Oct. 21, 2024. 

Despite tensions with union leaders, Tunisia's controversial finance bill will introduce reforms that attract foreign investment and increase production in key sectors.

Strikes Loom as Tunisia's Government Undermines Labor Union

Eritrea

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (center), flanked by his wife (left) and Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh (right), attends the official inauguration ceremony of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in Guba, on Sept. 9, 2025.

Worsening tensions over sea access and Eritrea's ties to groups opposed to the Ethiopian government raise the risk of intensifying proxy clashes that could quickly escalate into a larger military confrontation.

Assessing the Risk of an Ethiopia-Eritrea War in 2026

Iran

Lebanon

Palestinian Territories

Israeli air defence systems are activated to intercept Iranian missiles over the Israeli city of Tel Aviv amid a fresh barrage of Iranian rockets on June 16, 2025.

If effective, the laser air defense system will significantly reduce the cost of intercepting short-range aerial threats and bolster Israel's multilayered protection against aerial attacks.


The Role of Iron Beam in Israel's Evolving Defense Architecture

Jordanian police close the entrance of a Muslim Brotherhood headquarters on April 23, 2025, in Amman, Jordan.

While the White House has initiated a review process to label the Muslim Brotherhood a Foreign Terrorist Organization, it is unlikely to result in a comprehensive ban on the group.

U.S. Unlikely To Broadly Designate Muslim Brotherhood as a Terrorist Organization

Philippines

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address before lawmakers at the House of Representatives on July 22, 2024 in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. 

A widespread corruption scandal is threatening to cause political instability in the Philippines, which could lead to policy paralysis and weaken the Philippines' posture against China.

A Corruption Scandal Threatens Political Crisis in the Philippines

Media

Podcasts

How could advancements in AI increase the threat of state-sponsored cyber activity?

Essential Geopolitics: The Role of AI in State-Sponsored Cyber Espionage Campaigns

Military & Security

SITUATION REPORTS

Russia, Ukraine: Putin Digs In on Maximalist Peace Terms Ahead of Miami Talks

Egypt: Cairo Outlines 'Red Lines' in Sudan, Secures SAF Support on Nile Tensions

Nigeria: Tinubu Presents 2026 Budget to National Assembly

Japan: Prime Minister Reaffirms Nonnuclear Policy

Ghana: Government Commits Nearly $87M To Restore Bawku Amid Intercommunal Clashes

Australia: Albanese Moves To Toughen Hate Speech Laws

Thailand, Cambodia: Bangkok Reframes Border Conflict as Crackdown on Transnational Scam Networks

Taiwan, U.S.: Washington Announces Record-Breaking $11B Arms Sale

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