<p>To the west of Eurasia lays Europe, a region predisposed to division. It is surrounded on nearly all sides by islands and peninsulas that make it difficult for Europe to cohere. The northern half of the continent, moreover, sits on a plain whose short, meandering rivers tend to empower countries without forcing them to work with others. The southern half is situated on more mountainous terrain that has historically impeded the creation of strong, unified economies. As a result, Europe is a continent riven by pockets of distinct cultures whose differences are all too often irreconcilable.</p>

Europe is a continent riven by pockets of distinct cultures whose differences are all too often irreconcilable.

Europe

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Beyond Quantitative Easing

The Ukraine Conflict

The Politics of Pipelines

EU: Regional Blocs

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U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on reciprocal tariffs as U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick holds a chart during an event in the Rose Garden entitled ''Make America Wealthy Again'' at the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 2025. 

Economics

Global Trade

Politics

Trump's sweeping new tariffs will slow both U.S. and global economic growth, with lower-income Americans and emerging markets like Vietnam being hit hardest.

The U.S. Launches the Largest Trade War in Modern History

Snapshots

U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order after delivering remarks on reciprocal tariffs during an April 2 event in the Rose Garden in Washington. The U.S.–EU trade dispute is on track to escalate as Brussels prepares retaliation against Washington's sweeping 20% tariff on EU goods, increasing the risk of a protracted tit-for-tat trade war that would disrupt supply chains, slow growth on both sides of the Atlantic and strain broader cooperation. 

The developments could see a protracted tit-for-tat trade war that disrupts supply chains, slows growth on both sides of the Atlantic and strains broader cooperation.

Brussels Prepares to Respond to the Latest Trump Tariffs

Somalia

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Philippe Lazzarini (C), the commissioner general for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, attends a humanitarian conference for Gaza in Cairo, Egypt, on Dec. 2, 2024, amid the continuing Israel-Hamas war.

Military & Security

Egypt's economic limitations will continue to restrain its assertiveness in foreign policy, constraining its ability to project power in the region.

Egypt's Economic Priorities Sideline Assertive Foreign Policy

Columns

On Geopolitics

Russia

Members of the Spanish and Bulgarian armed forces during the NATO exercise Steadfast Dart on Feb. 13, 2025, in Tsrancha, Bulgaria. 

Any U.S. retrenchment away from Europe will more likely be gradual, shaped by strategic realities, shared interests and material constraints, but this transition will still carry profound military, economic and societal implications that will deeply reshape the Continent's security landscape and accelerate the transition to a truly multipolar world.

The Future of Transatlantic Security Cooperation, Part 1: The View From Washington

French far-right Leader Marine Le Pen leaves the courtroom after a guilty verdict in her embezzlement case trial on March 31, 2025 in Paris, France. 

Marine Le Pen’s conviction for embezzling EU funds and an immediate five-year ban from public office has shaken French politics, threatening government stability and fueling far-right outrage ahead of the 2027 election.

Le Pen's Five-Year Political Ban Sets the Stage for Renewed Political Instability in France

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Intensifying trade wars, a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, continued volatility in the Middle East and consequential elections in key countries will shape the quarter.

2025 Second-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Global Elections

U.S.-China Relations

U.S.-Iran Relations

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Ukraine

People wave flags and chant slogans during a protest in front of the municipality headquarters in support of arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey. 

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

The Weekly Rundown: U.S. To Announce Tariffs, Protests in Turkey Rage On

Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Italy's Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, discusses a new draft law on nuclear energy with the press at Palazzo Chigi on Feb. 28, 2025, in Rome, Italy. 

Reintroducing nuclear power could enhance Italy's energy security, industrial competitiveness and economic growth, but major political and technical hurdles make a nuclear comeback unlikely in the next decade.

The Challenges Facing Italy's Nuclear Comeback

New Zealand

India

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) walks with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (R) before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on March 17, 2025. 

U.S. tariff threats are pushing India to revamp negotiations over free trade agreements, but protectionist trade policies and other obstacles will challenge the progression of talks.

India Dusts Off Old FTA Negotiations Ahead of U.S. Tariffs

Brazil

Iran

Lebanon

Japan

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a joint press conference Feb. 16 at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem. Senior Israeli officials from the security and intelligence ministries will visit the United States to discuss Iran's nuclear program and Israeli border demarcation talks with Lebanon.

The Weekly Rundown: The U.S. and Israel Coordinate on Iran, the U.K. Chancellor Seeks Fiscal Discipline

Leading U.S.-based AI companies Google and OpenAI rejected the U.K. government's proposed AI copyright plan to create an ''opt-out'' mechanism for users to protect their content from being used in AI training databases, Politico reported April 3.

U.K.: Google and OpenAI Reject Government's AI Copyright Plan

The United Kingdom's Prime Minister Keir Starmer instructed his Cabinet to prepare for imminent U.S. tariffs on British exports after last-minute negotiations with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump failed to secure an exemption, the Financial Times reported on April 1.

U.K.: London Unlikely To Escape U.S. Tariffs, But Negotiations Will Continue

Syria

Syria's provisional government announced a new transitional government that included minorities, former government officials, exiles and technocrats, The New York Times reported on March 30.

Syria: New Transitional Government Includes Minorities but Maintains Status Quo

French far-right National Rally (RN) party leader Marine Le Pen was found guilty of systematically embezzling EU funds by the Paris criminal court on March 31 and sentenced to four years in prison -- two of which are suspended -- alongside an immediate five-year ban from public office, Le Figaro reported the same day.

France: Far-Right Leader Marine Le Pen Convicted in Embezzlement Trial, Banned from Office for 5 Years

U.S. diplomats in Europe sent letters to some large EU companies warning them to comply with an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year that barred government contractors from having DEI programs, AP reported on March 31. 

U.S., EU: State Department Demands That EU Companies Comply With Ban on DEI Programs

At the end of a summit of European leaders in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron said during a press conference that participants had unanimously agreed to maintain sanctions on Russia and increase military aid to Ukraine, with France pledging an additional 2 billion euros ($2 billion), Le Monde reported on March 27.

Europe, Ukraine: Europe To Maintain Sanctions on Russia, Pursue Reassurance Force in Ukraine

The United Kingdom's Treasury chief Rachel Reeves said London will not retaliate against a 25% U.S. tariff on car imports that will take effect on April 3, Reuters reported on March 27. 

U.K.: London Will Not Retaliate Against U.S. Auto Tariffs, Seeks Exemptions

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation on March 26 implementing a 25% tariff on all imported passenger vehicles and major auto parts, such as powertrain parts, going into effect on April 3 and May 3, respectively.

U.S.: White House Announces 25% Tariffs on All Passenger Vehicle Imports

Europe

SITUATION REPORTS

U.K.: Google and OpenAI Reject Government's AI Copyright Plan

U.K.: London Unlikely To Escape U.S. Tariffs, But Negotiations Will Continue

Syria: New Transitional Government Includes Minorities but Maintains Status Quo

France: Far-Right Leader Marine Le Pen Convicted in Embezzlement Trial, Banned from Office for 5 Years

U.S., EU: State Department Demands That EU Companies Comply With Ban on DEI Programs

Europe, Ukraine: Europe To Maintain Sanctions on Russia, Pursue Reassurance Force in Ukraine

U.K.: London Will Not Retaliate Against U.S. Auto Tariffs, Seeks Exemptions

U.S.: White House Announces 25% Tariffs on All Passenger Vehicle Imports

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