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

Iran

Iraq

Syria

Yemen

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B aircraft over the North Sea having taken off from RAF Fairford on July 1, 2016 in Gloucestershire, England. The tactic designed to allow intervention without deepening withdrawalism will instead do the opposite, and Washington will face more and more calls to retrench from the Middle East.

Military & Security

The tactic designed to allow intervention without deepening withdrawalism will instead do the opposite, and Washington will face more and more calls to retrench from the Middle East.

Washington Bumps up Against the Limits of Airpower in the Middle East

Assessments

United Kingdom

U.S. President Donald Trump -- flanked by Vice President JD Vance (left) and Peter Mandelson, the U.K. ambassador to the United States (right) -- holds a phone call with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the Oval Office of the White House on May 8, 2025. 

Economics

Global Trade

Politics

The agreement's narrow scope and quota system suggest the White House remains intent on restricting imports, meaning tariff relief for most other countries reaching deals will also be limited.

Trump Reaches First Post-Tariff Trade Deal With the U.K.

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: May 8, 2025

Ukraine

Russia

The allure of implementing a sphere of influence model is more likely to disappoint those who may argue that it would create more stability and security.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Temptations of a Sphere-of-Influence Model of International Relations

Saudi Arabia

Kazakhstan

The OPEC logo is seen outside the bloc's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on Oct. 4, 2022.

Energy

The production boost will further decrease oil prices, which will provide some financial relief for oil-consuming countries affected by U.S. tariffs, while further straining the budgets of poorer oil producers like Iraq. 

The Mixed Economic Impact of OPEC's Production Increase

Drag-line excavator mines rare earth materials on Ukrainian soil on Feb. 25, 2025, in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine. 

A new U.S.-Ukraine economic deal offers Washington a long-term stake in Ukraine's critical resources -- and a potential lever in ceasefire diplomacy.

New Strategic Pact Gives U.S. Stake in Ukraine's Economic Future

U.S. Naval Update Map: May 1, 2025

Snapshots

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

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

Europe

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

Indonesia

Thailand

Indonesia and Thailand are reshaping energy import strategies to boost economic ties with the United States ahead of looming tariff deadlines, Reuters and the Bangkok Post reported respectively on May 9.

Indonesia, Thailand, U.S.: Jakarta and Bangkok Seek Energy Realignment To Avert Tariffs 

On May 8, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that "the US calls for, ideally, a 30-day unconditional ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine, adding that "if the ceasefire is not respected, the US and its partners will impose further sanctions."

U.S., Russia: Trump Insists on Ceasefire, Suggests Sanctions Against Russia

Colombia's Supreme Court issued arrest orders for former Senate President Ivan Name and former House of Representatives President Andres Calle for allegedly receiving $1 million in bribes to help secure congressional support for President Gustavo Petro's key proposals, El Pais reported on May 7. 

Colombia: Arrests of Former Legislature Heads To Hurt Petro's Government

The European Union is preparing a sweeping retaliatory package targeting up to 95 billion euros ($108 billion) worth of U.S. exports should trade negotiations with the Trump administration break down, Bloomberg reported on May 8. 

EU, U.S.: Brussels Prepares New Retaliatory Package on U.S. Products Should Talks Fail

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro signed a strategic partnership deal and discussed energy and oil at a meeting in Moscow, Reuters reported on May 7. 

Venezuela, Russia: Strategic Partnership Unlikely To Yield Significant Developments

Israel

Qatar

Qatar will provide $29 million a month to Syria to help pay civil servant salaries for at least the next three months, Reuters reported on May 7, citing Syria's finance minister.

Syria: Qatar Gains U.S. Sanctions Exemptions To Pay Syrian Civil Servant Salaries

China

Switzerland

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will meet in Switzerland on May 10-11 for trade talks, Bloomberg reported on May 6.

China, U.S.: Trade Talks To Commence in Switzerland

U.S.-China Relations

Brazilian authorities said President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government opposes pressure from the U.S. Trump administration to designate Brazil's two largest organized criminal groups as terrorist organizations, Folha de S.Paulo reported on May 6. 

Brazil, U.S.: Brazil Opposes Designating Local Organized Criminal Groups as Terrorists

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

Indonesia, Thailand, U.S.: Jakarta and Bangkok Seek Energy Realignment To Avert Tariffs

U.S., Russia: Trump Insists on Ceasefire, Suggests Sanctions Against Russia

Colombia: Arrests of Former Legislature Heads To Hurt Petro's Government

EU, U.S.: Brussels Prepares New Retaliatory Package on U.S. Products Should Talks Fail

Venezuela, Russia: Strategic Partnership Unlikely To Yield Significant Developments

Syria: Qatar Gains U.S. Sanctions Exemptions To Pay Syrian Civil Servant Salaries

China, U.S.: Trade Talks To Commence in Switzerland

Brazil, U.S.: Brazil Opposes Designating Local Organized Criminal Groups as Terrorists

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support