United States

Ukraine

Russia

Military & Security

Politics

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was still waiting to hear back from Kyiv regarding Russia's proposal for a three-day ceasefire from May 8-10, while also saying Russia would not agree to an immediate 30-day ceasefire proposed by Ukraine until "nuances" are addressed, The Moscow Times reported on April 29.

Russia, Ukraine: Kremlin Pushes Back on Ukraine's Proposal for Immediate Ceasefire

South Korea

South Korea's Supreme Court will rule on an election law violation case against Lee Jae-myung, the former head of the opposition Democratic Party of Korea and current frontrunner for the June 3 early presidential election, on May 1, Yonhap News Agency reported on April 29.

South Korea: Court To Rule on Presidential Frontrunner on May 1

China

Philippines

Taiwan

Philippine Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Manila's chief military spokesperson on South China Sea issues, confirmed that the Philippine and Taiwanese navies are engaged in "unofficial and informal" engagements, and he mentioned the possibility of joint patrols in the Luzon Strait as part of broader multilateral engagement, state media TaiwanPlus News reported on April 29.

Taiwan, Philippines: Naval Connections Deepen After Manila Loosens Rules on Communications

Mexico

Economics

The United States and Mexico reached agreements on a recent dispute involving a 1944 water-sharing deal and on a controversy around the handling of the livestock pest screwworm, Reuters reported on April 28.

U.S., Mexico: Agreements on Contentious Issues Unlikely To Reduce Trade Tensions Over Coming Months

Israel

Syria

Clashes between Druze and Sunni gunmen in the Druze-majority town of Jaramana reportedly resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals after a recording of a Druze man allegedly cursing the Prophet Muhammad circulated, drawing in Sunni gunmen from nearby areas, Reuters reported April 29.

Syria: Druze and Sunnis Clash Near Damascus, Killing 13

Cameroon

Cameroonian President Paul Biya is mulling a Cabinet reshuffle following his appointments of new members to the central committee of the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement party, or RDPC, in late March, Jeune Afrique reported on April 28.

Cameroon: President Paul Biya Likely To Run for an Eighth Term

Japan

Vietnam

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met in Hanoi, Vietnam, to reaffirm the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership, Nikkei Asia reported on April 28.

Japan, Vietnam: Ishiba Visit Deepens Semiconductor, Clean Energy and Defense Ties

China and the Philippines both planted flags on Sandy Cay, a group of sandbars in the disputed Spratly Islands of the South China Sea, amid conflicting claims of control, The Washington Post reported on April 28. 

China, Philippines: Countries Exchange Flag-Planting Episodes on Disputed South China Sea Feature

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

Below are our latest and most relevant politics analyses.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

The Post-Apartheid Era Ends

Venezuela's Unraveling

The Saudi Survival Strategy

The Kurdish Struggle

Israel's Survival Strategy

Turkey's Resurgence

EU: Regional Blocs

Divided EU Foreign Policies

Brexit

Old Leaders in a New Africa

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

The Pulse of Political Islam

Broken Contracts in the Middle East

Russia's Internal Struggle

China in Transition

Southeast Asia: Burdened by Consensus

India's Own Worst Enemy

Pakistan: A Military With a Country

Snapshots

Canada

Canadian Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Mark Carney speaks to his supporters in Ottawa, Canada, on April 29, 2025, after winning the country’s early general elections. 

Canada's newly elected Liberal government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, is poised to tackle an economic slowdown with tax cuts, domestic industry protection, and closer ties to Europe despite falling just short of a parliamentary majority.

Liberals Win Canada Election, but Minority Government Will Complicate Legislation

Global Elections

Assessments

Iran

Saudi Arabia

A woman walks by anti-U.S. murals on the walls of the former U.S. embassy in downtown Tehran, Iran, on April 11, 2025. 

The U.S. will likely have to allow some Iranian uranium enrichment to ink a nuclear deal, likely resulting in Saudi Arabia seeking similar provisions for its own civilian nuclear program.

With Iran and Saudi Arabia, the U.S. Faces a Uranium Enrichment Dilemma

U.S.-Iran Relations

Italy

India

Pakistan

Indian soldiers stand guard atop their vehicle in Srinagar, India, on April 23, 2025, following a deadly militant attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Escalating Pakistan-India Tensions, Canadian Elections and Pope Francis' Funeral

A digital illustration of the Chinese and EU flags.

Global Trade

Transatlantic trade tensions have created a window for tactical EU-China engagement, but structural constraints and unresolved disputes limit prospects for meaningful realignment.

Budding EU-China Rapprochement Amid U.S. Tariffs Will Have Its Limits

U.S.-China Relations

An Indian paramilitary serviceman keeps watch in Pahalgam, south of Srinagar, on April 23, 2025, following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. 

India and Pakistan's exchange of tit-for-tat diplomatic and economic moves is raising the risk of a military escalation, while also fueling domestic unrest due to rising nationalist sentiment in both countries.

India-Pakistan Tensions Surge Following Deadly Kashmir Attack

People walk past an electronic panel, promoting the contract service in the Russian armed forces, with a sign that reads "Our profession is to defend the Fatherland" in a shopping mall on May 11, 2024, in Moscow, Russia. 

Russia is signaling it may welcome back Western companies, but strict conditions, ongoing sanctions and reputational risks are likely to deter a widespread return.

Russia Opens Door to Western Firms, But With Major Strings Attached

Trucks travel by the U.S.-Mexico border after crossing the border into the United States at Otay Mesa, California, on April 2, 2025. 

Although U.S. tariffs will hurt Mexico's economy in the short term, they may eventually grant Mexico a competitive advantage over countries that face even higher duties.

The Buffers That Will Help Mexico Navigate Tariff Turbulence

France

United Kingdom

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (2 L) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C) attend a meeting with European and Ukrainian officials on April 17 at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris.

Ukraine will be forced to choose between compromising on its supposed red lines to de-escalate its war with Russia, or risk losing U.S. support and its battlefield position. 

Growing U.S. Pressure for a Peace Deal Puts Ukraine in a Difficult Position

The Geopolitics of Trade

U.S. reciprocal tariffs will have major economic and political impacts on Japan and South Korea, particularly as both East Asian countries prepare for summer elections.

The Geopolitics of Trade: The Impact of U.S. Tariffs on South Korea and Japan

Columns

On Geopolitics

Lebanon

A Lebanese flag painted on a damaged building in the village of Meiss El-Jabal in southern Lebanon is seen from a position on the Israeli side of the border on Jan. 23, 2025, in northern Israel. 

Hezbollah's military losses and the formation of Lebanon's new government have opened the door to a new chapter in Lebanese history, although external pressure will complicate the country's next steps.

Hezbollah's Future in Lebanon

Workers at a quarry Feb. 26, 2025 in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine.

Cyber

The Weekly Rundown: Von der Leyen Meets Starmer, a U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal

A crowd of men in 1930 wearing jackets and hats.

U.S. tariffs are throwing economies across the globe into disarray, just as they did in 1930, but lessons from the past could keep the world from tipping into a second Great Depression.

Lessons From the 1930s on Avoiding a Second Great Depression

Politics

SITUATION REPORTS

Russia, Ukraine: Kremlin Pushes Back on Ukraine's Proposal for Immediate Ceasefire

South Korea: Court To Rule on Presidential Frontrunner on May 1

Taiwan, Philippines: Naval Connections Deepen After Manila Loosens Rules on Communications

U.S., Mexico: Agreements on Contentious Issues Unlikely To Reduce Trade Tensions Over Coming Months

Syria: Druze and Sunnis Clash Near Damascus, Killing 13

Cameroon: President Paul Biya Likely To Run for an Eighth Term

Japan, Vietnam: Ishiba Visit Deepens Semiconductor, Clean Energy and Defense Ties

China, Philippines: Countries Exchange Flag-Planting Episodes on Disputed South China Sea Feature

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support