The Americas stretch from the Arctic Circle in Canada to the southern tip of Chile. This geographically, culturally and politically diverse region is home to the United States, a nation whose geography helped it become the foremost economic and military power in the world &mdash; an ascendance aided in part by bringing Mexico and Canada into its sphere of influence. Farther south, the nations of South America are like islands, separated by vast spaces of impenetrable mountains, rivers and jungles. Try though these countries may to integrate more closely, deeper ties such as those that characterize North America will prove elusive.

This geographically, culturally and politically diverse region is home to the United States, a nation whose geography helped it become the foremost economic and military power in the world

Americas

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Barbados

Belize

Brazil

Canada

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Cuba

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

El Salvador

Grenada

Guatemala

Guyana

Haiti

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Suriname

Bahamas

Trinidad and Tobago

United States

Uruguay

Venezuela

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Greenland

Jamaica

Venezuela's Unraveling

Colombian Peace Process

Security Challenges in Latin America

Tracking U.S. Naval Power

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

The Importance of Mexico

North America Unrivaled

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

Crossing Borders

Columns

On Geopolitics

Iraq

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Syria

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) interacts with Oman Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Asaad (second from right) as they prepare to pose for photos with leaders during the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Leaders' Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 14, 2025.

Economics

Energy

Military & Security

Politics

Despite Trump's recent sharp words on his predecessor's "forever wars," U.S. trade and energy interests will keep him engaged in the region, though in ways that rely more on economic and diplomatic leverage, as opposed to military campaigns.

Is the Era of U.S. Interventionism in the Middle East Over?

Assessments

This map shows the approximate locations of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups and Amphibious Ready Groups.

U.S. Naval Update Map: June 5, 2025

China

Europe

Russia

India

Pakistan

The Geopolitics of Trade

Global Trade

Turkey's export strategy necessitates trade partnerships with countries in many different spheres of influence, portending both risks and opportunities as Ankara attempts to maintain its neutral middle-power status.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Turkey's Export Strategy Hinges on Neutrality

Ukraine

Service members of Ukraine's 13th Khartia Brigade load a Vampire drone with food and ammunition supplies to be delivered to the infantry at the frontline on March 7, 2025, in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Ukraine's recent string of asymmetric attacks on Russian soil could make Moscow more flexible in negotiations, but it also risks diplomatic blowback that at least temporarily scuttles peace talks.

The Implications of Ukraine's Audacious Attacks on Russia

South Korea

Poland

Ukrainian, U.S. and Russian delegates meet for peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 16, 2025. 

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

The Weekly Rundown: Ukraine-Russia Talks, Mexico's First-Ever Judicial Elections

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

M23 fighters are seen at the main border crossing between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda in Goma on March 1, 2025.

Mediation efforts from the Trump administration will likely see the two African countries ink a peace deal in the coming months, but implementation will prove challenging, sustaining the risk of a new military escalation in eastern Congo.

U.S. Mediation Brings Congo and Rwanda Closer to a Peace Deal

Snapshots

Japan

A U.S. courthouse facade with columns in lower Manhattan, New York.

The court ruling nullifies most -- though not all -- of the Trump administration's tariffs, giving U.S. trading partners temporary breathing room in negotiations while the White House searches for alternative trade measures.

The White House's Tariff Ambitions Bend -- But Do Not Break -- Under the Weight of a Court Ruling

U.S. Naval Update Map: May 29, 2025

Members of the National Association of Magistrates and District Judges hold a massive Mexican flag during a protest in Mexico City, Mexico, on Sept. 11, 2024, after Mexico's Senate approved controversial judicial reforms. 

The likely strong performance of candidates aligned with the ruling Morena party will undermine checks and balances and create regulatory uncertainty for businesses over the long term.

What's at Stake in Mexico's First-Ever Judicial Elections

Dunster House at Harvard University is seen on March 17, 2025, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

Environment, Science & Technology

The Trump administration's latest salvo against elite U.S. universities highlights a broader campaign that will have lasting implications for domestic scientific research, innovation and competitiveness.

The Implications of Trump's Pressure Campaign Against U.S. Universities

Burundi

Chad

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Republic of the Congo

Sierra Leone

Somalia

Sudan

Togo

Iran

Libya

Laos

Myanmar

Turkmenistan

Afghanistan

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a ban barring citizens from 12 countries from traveling to the United States, with the order set to take effect on June 9, The New York Times reported on June 4.

U.S.: Trump Administration Issues New Travel Ban

Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call on June 5 at Trump's request, Chinese state media Xinhua reported the same day. 

U.S., China: Xi, Trump Phone Call Suggests Rare Earths Talks Inbound

U.S.-China Relations

On June 4, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation banning foreign nationals from entering the United States to study at Harvard University, determining them to be "detrimental to the interests of the United States" under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

U.S.: Trump Administration Ramps Up Pressure on Harvard, Columbia

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he held a call that lasted over an hour with Russian President Vladimir Putin in which the two discussed the war in Ukraine and Iran's nuclear program, according to a June 4 post on Truth Social.

Russia, U.S.: Trump Announces Call With Putin in Which Two Discuss Ukraine, Iran

U.S.-Iran Relations

Cyber

The Brazilian Supreme Court resumed a trial on big tech companies' responsibilities for content posted on their platforms, Folha de S.Paulo reported on June 4. 

Brazil: Trial on Big Tech Rules Portends Regulatory, Political Risks

Australia

The European Union and Australia resumed negotiations over a long-stalled free trade agreement, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tentatively planning a visit to Australia in July or August to finalize the deal, the Australian Financial Review reported on June 4.

EU, Australia: Brussels, Canberra Negotiating FTA as U.S. Tariff 'Insurance' 

Preliminary results for Mexico's June 1 judicial elections began coming out on June 2, indicating that all nine newly elected members of the Supreme Court are individuals the ruling Morena party promoted ahead of the election, El Pais reported on June 3. 

Mexico: Judges Aligned With Ruling Party To Control Supreme Court

Vietnam

The United States submitted a lengthy list of "tough" demands to Vietnam in ongoing trade negotiations, including measures that would reduce Hanoi's ability to import industrial inputs from China, Reuters reported on June 3.

Vietnam, U.S.: Hanoi Faces Industrial Realignment Choices Amid Steep U.S. Demands

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S.: Trump Administration Issues New Travel Ban

U.S., China: Xi, Trump Phone Call Suggests Rare Earths Talks Inbound

U.S.: Trump Administration Ramps Up Pressure on Harvard, Columbia

Russia, U.S.: Trump Announces Call With Putin in Which Two Discuss Ukraine, Iran

Brazil: Trial on Big Tech Rules Portends Regulatory, Political Risks

EU, Australia: Brussels, Canberra Negotiating FTA as U.S. Tariff 'Insurance'

Mexico: Judges Aligned With Ruling Party To Control Supreme Court

Vietnam, U.S.: Hanoi Faces Industrial Realignment Choices Amid Steep U.S. Demands

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