United States

South Korea

Politics

Police raided South Korea's National Assembly, the National Intelligence Service and the National Counterterrorism Center in a bid to find evidence linking a right-wing YouTuber to a knife attack against President Lee Jae Myung in 2024, a case that would support Lee's bid for anti-extremism bills, Yonhap News Agency reported on Feb. 12.

South Korea: Lee Seeks To Silence Political Opponents, Risking U.S. Ties

China

Europe

Economics

China's commerce ministry finalized its tariffs on European dairy products at a maximum of 11.7%, down from the preliminary tariff released in December 2025 that topped out at 43%, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 12.

China, Europe: Beijing Reduces Dairy Tariffs in Softer Approach to Trade Talks

Germany

Uzbekistan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Kazakhstan

Russia

Kyrgyzstan

Germany hosted the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in Berlin, reaffirming their Strategic Regional Partnership and pressing for intensified cooperation against sanctions evasion tied to Russia's war in Ukraine, Qazinform reported on Feb. 11.

Central Asia, Germany: Berlin Presses Central Asia on Sanctions as It Deepens Strategic Partnership

U.S. President Donald Trump is shelving numerous tech restrictions on China to facilitate his April summit with President Xi Jinping in Beijing, according to Reuters sources on Feb. 12.

China, U.S.: Trump Curbing Tech Restrictions as Both Sides Seek Year-Long Deal

U.S.-China Relations

Zimbabwe

Military & Security

Zimbabwe's opposition accused the government of attempting a "constitutional coup" after the Cabinet approved draft amendments that would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term until 2030, IOL reported Feb. 11.

Zimbabwe: Opposition Claims Constitutional Coup After Cabinet Approves Plan To Extend Presidential Terms

Vietnam

Vietnam's Communist Party chief To Lam is planning a visit to Washington the week of Feb. 16 to directly conduct trade negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump after months of deadlock over how to treat "transhipped" goods and attend the inaugural Board of Peace meeting, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 12.

Vietnam, U.S.: Party Chief To Visit Washington for Trade Talks, Board of Peace

Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said it was premature to discuss elections in Ukraine, commenting on media reports that Kyiv could soon announce a presidential election and a referendum on a peace deal to be held in May, Russian state news agency TASS reported on Feb. 11.

Ukraine, Russia: Moscow Downplays Election Reports as Kyiv Denies Plans

Turkey

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Defense said it will not proceed with plans for Turkish manufacturer Baykar Defense to localize production of Bayraktar kamikaze drones and loitering munitions, Forbes Kazakhstan reported on Feb. 11.

Kazakhstan, Turkey: Astana Halts Bayraktar Kamikaze Drone Project

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

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

Assessments

The U.S. and the EU flags are seen side by side on Nov. 21, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium. 

Energy

By replacing Russian gas with U.S. LNG, the EU risks becoming reliant on another systemically central external supplier at a time of growing geopolitical instability and transatlantic tension.

The Strategic Risks of Europe's Pivot to U.S. LNG

Snapshots

Argentina

An aerial photo shows Argentinian police using a water cannon truck against protesters opposing labor reforms on Feb. 11, 2026, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Although the labor reform is likely to be approved and may incrementally improve Argentina's hiring climate, its short-term economic impact will be limited.

Argentina's Milei Secures Senate Backing for Market-Oriented Labor Overhaul

Thailand

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrives at the Government House in Bangkok on Feb. 9, 2026.

The incumbent conservative party's victory will improve short-term political stability, but governance will remain constrained by coalition dynamics, entrenched institutions and uncertain constitutional reform.

Thailand Approves Constitutional Reform, Re-Elects Conservative Party

United Kingdom

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves Downing Street on Feb. 2, 2026, in London. 

While the crisis could see Labour elect a new leader in the coming months, broad party consensus and fiscal constraints make sharp policy shifts unlikely, limiting the risk of sustained market volatility.

In the U.K., Starmer's Leadership Struggles Reach a Tipping Point

Cuba

Mexico

American Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at Jose Marti International Airport in Havana on Feb. 9, 2026. 

Facing imminent economic collapse and the loss of key allies, the Cuban government will likely yield to U.S. demands for market liberalization to avoid a total breakdown of state authority while attempting to preserve political control.

Economic Concessions to U.S. Offer Path for Regime Survival in Cuba

Japan

Japanese Prime Minister and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Sanae Takaichi reacts as she speaks with media on the day of lower house elections at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2026. 

The LDP's decisive lower house victory will enable Prime Minister Takaichi to boost social and defense spending and strengthen ties with the U.S., though at the expense of Japan’s relations with China and South Korea.

Election Landslide Stabilizes Japanese Politics, Cements Defense Modernization

Tunisia

Supporters of Tunisia's General Labour Union (UGTT) wave the national flag during a rally in Tunis on Aug. 21, 2025.

If the UGTT fails to resolve internal disputes and stage an effective national strike, President Saied will likely launch an expanded crackdown that further weakens the powerful labor union and, consequently, its private-sector bargaining power.

In Tunisia, UGTT Infighting Risks Playing Into President Saied's Hands

Media

Bangladesh

Podcasts

What major challenges will the incoming government face?

What To Expect From Bangladesh's Upcoming Elections

Iran

Campaign posters Feb. 6 of candidates running in the upcoming Japanese House of Representatives election, in Inagi, Tokyo prefecture.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Japan Holds Snap Elections, U.S. Weighs Options After Iran Talks

U.S.-Iran Relations

United Arab Emirates

Emirati flags on Feb. 4 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. On Feb. 4-5, delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the United States held a second round of trilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates.

The talks are unlikely to produce a near-term settlement, as Russia will continue to press its territorial demands while using diplomacy to manage sanctions pressure and build leverage ahead of a spring-summer offensive.

The Limits of Russia-Ukraine-U.S. Talks

Indonesia

Visitors take pictures in front of an electronic board displaying falling stock prices at the Indonesia Stock Exchange in Jakarta on Jan. 29, 2026.

The episode exposes structural risks embedded in the president's governance that could threaten investor confidence -- and with it, Indonesia's economic growth and manufacturing competitiveness.

Lessons Learned From Indonesia's Market Rout

People walk past campaign posters in Bangkok on Feb. 2, 2026, ahead of Thailand's Feb. 8 general election.

Thailand's Feb. 8 general election and constitutional referendum are unlikely to deliver a decisive political reset and will instead risk extending a familiar cycle of constrained reform and policy caution amid heightened security and economic pressures.

Elections and Referendum Unlikely to End Thailand's Cycle of Constrained Governance

Politics

SITUATION REPORTS

South Korea: Lee Seeks To Silence Political Opponents, Risking U.S. Ties

China, Europe: Beijing Reduces Dairy Tariffs in Softer Approach to Trade Talks

Central Asia, Germany: Berlin Presses Central Asia on Sanctions as It Deepens Strategic Partnership

China, U.S.: Trump Curbing Tech Restrictions as Both Sides Seek Year-Long Deal

Zimbabwe: Opposition Claims Constitutional Coup After Cabinet Approves Plan To Extend Presidential Terms

Vietnam, U.S.: Party Chief To Visit Washington for Trade Talks, Board of Peace

Ukraine, Russia: Moscow Downplays Election Reports as Kyiv Denies Plans

Kazakhstan, Turkey: Astana Halts Bayraktar Kamikaze Drone Project

Forecasts

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