China

Economics

Politics

Social Issues

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Sept. 13 passed a motion to raise the retirement age for Chinese workers from 60 to 63 for men, 55 to 58 for women in white collar jobs, and 50 to 55 for women in blue collar jobs.

China: Country Raises Retirement Age, Pension Contributions

South Africa

The center-right Democratic Alliance (DA) threatened to exit South Africa's coalition government if President Cyril Ramaphosa signs an unamended version of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) into law following a statement from the presidency that Ramaphosa will sign the bill Sept. 13, News 24 reported Sept. 11.

South Africa: Democratic Alliance Threatens to Exit Coalition Government Over Education Bill

Venezuela

Former presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez left Venezuela for exile to Spain as part of an agreement with President Nicolás Maduro's administration, El Pais reported Sept. 8.

Venezuela: Opposition Leader Leaving for Exile Indicates Maduro's Further Power Consolidation 

Morocco

Environment, Science & Technology

According to data released by Morocco's Directorate General of Water Engineering, Morocco's dam levels have dropped below 28%, Hespress reported Aug. 13.

Morocco: Critical Dam Levels Lead to Water Rationing Measures

Bangladesh

India

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved the National Parliament after meeting with stakeholders, including the chiefs of the three armed forces, leaders of various political parties and civil society representatives, the Daily Star reported Aug 6.

Bangladesh: President Dissolves Parliament as India's Foreign Minister Briefs All-Party Meeting on Bangladesh Situation

Ethiopia

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed unveiled a series of macroeconomic reforms, including plans to adopt a floating exchange rate, review the country's subsidy system and reform state-owned enterprises, Abiy said in a public statement on X published July 28.

Ethiopia: PM Abiy Unveils Plans For Major Economic Reforms

Burkina Faso

Military & Security

Burkina Faso's military junta adopted an amended family code that prohibits and punishes homosexuality, Reuters reported on July 11.

Burkina Faso: Junta Adopts Draft Law To Criminalize Homosexuality

Poland

Poland's coalition government failed to pass legislation seeking to decriminalize abortion after a majority of lawmakers in the lower house of the National Assembly rejected a bill that would have removed penalties for doctors helping women seeking to terminate pregnancies, Reuters reported on July 12. 

Poland: Rejection of Abortion Decriminalization Bill Highlights Ideological Differences Within Ruling Coalition

Snapshots

Ghana

A man holds cedis, the Ghanan currency, notes in Accra, Ghana, on Dec. 1, 2022.

Ghana's adherence to its IMF program will likely see it enjoy rebounding economic growth in 2025, even if the country's upcoming elections and reliance on commodity exports pose short- and long-term risks.

Despite Downside Risks, Ghana Is Poised for a Progressive Economic Recovery

Assessments

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Demonstrators calling for action to secure the release of Israeli hostages held captive since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Palestinian militants Sept. 3 in front of the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel. A strengthened anti-government movement in Israel is likely to reduce coalition government unity and could lead to months of disruptions to daily life, incentivizing the Israeli government to intensify military operations in Gaza, pulling forces from the northern front and West Bank, and seeing tensions between pro- and anti-government partisans possibly escalate into violence.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

A strengthened anti-government movement in Israel is likely to reduce coalition government unity and could lead to months of disruptions to daily life.

As the Opposition Gains Strength, Disruptions in Israel and the Gaza Conflict Will Increase

Sri Lanka

2024 Elections: Sri Lanka 

Sri Lanka's Sept. 21 presidential election will pit four candidates against one another, portending various political and economic risks.

2024 Elections: Sri Lanka

Global Elections

A protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Aug. 15.

In Bangladesh, improving security will not eliminate the high risk of additional violence and protests in the coming weeks, while policy uncertainty and severe political tensions in the coming months will continue to threaten the operating environment for businesses.

In Bangladesh, Improving Security Does Not Spell Stability

Iran

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian (C) greets parliament members after giving an address during a session to approve his new Cabinet appointments in Tehran on Aug. 21, 2024.

Pezeshkian's new Cabinet reveals his forthcoming focus on economic reform, the result of which will affect the prospects of future social reform and the succession process for Iran's next supreme leader.

Iran's Pezeshkian Prioritizes Economic Platform in Olive Branch to Conservatives

U.S.-Iran Relations

Bangladesh's military is likely to play a continued role in domestic politics, particularly if the general election is delayed and economic challenges and unrest worsen, and renewed episodes of social unrest are likely if the military takes measures to prevent the Awami League from returning to power.

The Bangladeshi Military's Expanded Role in Politics After Sheikh Hasina

Lebanon

United Kingdom

Nicolas Maduro on Aug. 7, 2024, in Caracas, Venezuela. The presidents of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Gustavo Petro and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, respectively, are considering a call with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Aug. 12 in a bid to promote negotiations with the opposition to cool the risk of further violent unrest.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Awaiting Iranian Retaliation, Bangladesh's New Government

United States

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump with blood on his face surrounded by secret service agents as he is taken off the stage at a July 13 campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The assassination attempt increases the risk of politically motivated unrest and violence throughout the rest of the presidential election cycle.

Trump Assassination Attempt Portends Heightened Political Violence

Media

Forecast Webcast

Cyber

Energy

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2024 Third-Quarter Geopolitical Forecast.

2024 Third-Quarter Geopolitical Forecast Webcast

For the first time in a U.S. presidential election, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policy will become a prominent point of contention between the two candidates and their parties. 

The Impact of the U.S. Presidential Election on Corporate ESG Programs

Podcasts

What are the biggest issues with the U.S. healthcare system, and how can we address them?

RANE Insights: Addressing Problems in the U.S. Healthcare System

What role should social listening play in the mitigation of social risk?

Social Issues

SITUATION REPORTS

China: Country Raises Retirement Age, Pension Contributions

South Africa: Democratic Alliance Threatens to Exit Coalition Government Over Education Bill

Venezuela: Opposition Leader Leaving for Exile Indicates Maduro's Further Power Consolidation

Morocco: Critical Dam Levels Lead to Water Rationing Measures

Bangladesh: President Dissolves Parliament as India's Foreign Minister Briefs All-Party Meeting on Bangladesh Situation

Ethiopia: PM Abiy Unveils Plans For Major Economic Reforms

Burkina Faso: Junta Adopts Draft Law To Criminalize Homosexuality

Poland: Rejection of Abortion Decriminalization Bill Highlights Ideological Differences Within Ruling Coalition

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