United States

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Politics

Social Issues

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum on Jan. 7 directing the U.S. withdrawal from 66 U.N.-backed and other international organizations, conventions and treaties that the White House said are "contrary to the interests of the United States."

U.S.: Trump Administration Orders U.S. To Pull Out of Dozens of International Entities

Chile

Economics

Military & Security

Far-right candidate Jose Antonio Kast was elected president of Chile after winning 58.3% of the vote in the Dec. 14 runoff, La Tercera reported on the same day. 

Chile: Kast Wins Presidential Election, Propelling the Far-Right to Power

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is reportedly planning to open two new alcohol stores for non-Muslims in 2026, including one in Dhahran to serve foreign staff at an Aramco oil facility and one in the port city of Jeddah to serve foreign diplomats, Reuters reported Nov. 24, citing anonymous sources. 

Saudi Arabia: Alcohol Stores for Non-Muslims To Open in Dhahran, Jeddah

El Salvador

El Salvador's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional reform that allows the president -- currently Nayib Bukele -- to be reelected indefinitely, Reuters reported on July 31.

El Salvador: Bukele Consolidates Power as Legislative Assembly Removes Presidential Term Limits

Israel

Palestinian Territories

On July 27, Israel announced 10-hour pauses in fighting in parts of the Gaza Strip -- specifically Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah and Gaza City -- to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, according to the Times of Israel on July 28. 

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Limited Humanitarian Aid, Airdrops Enter Gaza

Mexico

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum signed a new telecommunications law into law, which will take effect on July 17, El Economista reported July 16. 

Mexico: Government to Expand Internet Access, Cut Costs with New Telecom Law

Panama

Panamanian authorities suspended access to internet and mobile phone services in Bocas del Toro after President Jose Raul Mulino declared a state of emergency in the province following nearly two months of protests, Deutsche Welle reported June 21. 

Panama: State of Emergency on Protest-Ridden Province Unlikely to End Demonstrations in the Long Term 

Colombia

More than 70,000 people marched across 20 cities in Colombia to rebuke rising violence and the assassination attempt of right-wing Senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe, El Pais reported June 15.

Colombia: Marches Against Assassination Attempt Highlight Government's Dwindling Popular Support 

Assessments

Sudan

Syria

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Saudi-backed forces are seen on the outskirts of Yemen's Hadramawt province, where the UAE-backed secessionist Southern Transitional Council (STC) recently launched an offensive, on Jan. 3, 2026. 

The Gulf nations' growing battle for influence is straining bilateral ties and fueling proxy conflicts in places like Yemen and Sudan, though both sides will likely avoid any escalation that could harm their economies.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE Pursue Divergent Paths in a Multipolar World

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

South Asia

Cyber

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

As elections reshape political incentives worldwide, 2026 will see major powers recalibrate diplomacy and conflict, raising the risk of fragile deals, regional instability and sudden escalation.

2026 Annual Geopolitical Forecast: An Excerpt

U.S.-China Relations

U.S.-Iran Relations

Brazil

The COP30 logo at the central building is seen ahead of the COP30 Brazil Amazonia 2025 on Nov. 3, 2025 in Belem, Brazil. 

The 30th U.N. Climate Change Conference is poised to highlight the enduring impasse between developed and developing nations, particularly regarding financial responsibilities and the transition from fossil fuels.

A Breakthrough on Climate Targets is Unlikely at Brazil's COP30

An aerial photo shows the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

An aspiring middle power, Riyadh must still balance ancient imperatives with modern challenges before it reaches the kind of geopolitical security enjoyed by neighbors like Turkey, Iran and Egypt.

The Modern Geopolitics of Saudi Arabia

Kenya

Kenyan forces stand next to the coffin of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during a funeral mass at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology on October 19, 2025 in Bondo, Kenya.

The death of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga creates a significant power vacuum, fundamentally altering the political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.


What Raila Odinga's Death Means for Kenyan Politics

Columns

On Security

An aerial view of the IAD71 Amazon Web Services data center is seen on July 17, 2024, in Ashburn, Virginia. 

AI's displacement of workers, the environmental impact of data centers and fears of pervasive surveillance are creating a potent mix of grievances likely to fuel violent extremism against targets associated with the technology.

The Coming Violent Backlash Against AI

France

Portugal

Spain

Italy

An anti-tourism protest in June in Barcelona, Spain. Anti-tourism sentiment is certain to grow in major tourist destinations, though it will be unevenly distributed globally, particularly as the tourism sector could face potential challenges in the future.

Anti-tourism sentiment is certain to grow in major tourist destinations, though it will be unevenly distributed globally, particularly as the tourism sector could face potential challenges in the future.

The Causes and Implications of the Rise in Anti-Tourism Sentiment

The crime scene where political activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Sept. 11 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Political violence in the United States and other Western countries is becoming harder to define. 

Political Instability & Social Unrest

While ideologically amorphous violence is deeply troubling, it fits into the overall wave of political violence in which the United States finds itself -- and the overall trajectory of more violence likely for the foreseeable future.

The Charlie Kirk Assassination Highlights the Rise of Political Violence Without a Clear Ideology 

Snapshots

China

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama looks on as offerings presented by Buddhist followers are laid on a table during a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near the Indian city of Dharamshala, on June 30, 2025. 

New clarity over the 90-year-old spiritual leader's succession plans threatens to reignite Western criticism of China's treatment of Tibetans and revive reputational risks for Western businesses active in China.

Dalai Lama's Succession Plan Revives Tibet Issue for China and the West

National Guard troops stand in front of a government building during a protest in Los Angeles, California, on June 8, 2025. 

The White House's deployment of National Guard troops to the Los Angeles protests reflects an increasingly aggressive mass deportation effort, and intense pushback against it, that set the stage for more unrest, legal standoffs and economic uncertainty.

By Deploying the National Guard to LA, Trump Doubles Down on His Mass Deportation Efforts

Poland

Supporters of the PiS party demonstrate April 12 in Warsaw, Poland. Poland will hold a presidential election May 18 and runoff June 1 if no candidate obtains more than 50% in the first round.

The outcome of Poland's election will determine whether Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centrist government will coexist with a cooperative president or continue to face institutional constraints from an ideologically opposed president.

Poland's Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

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

Social Issues

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S.: Trump Administration Orders U.S. To Pull Out of Dozens of International Entities

Chile: Kast Wins Presidential Election, Propelling the Far-Right to Power

Saudi Arabia: Alcohol Stores for Non-Muslims To Open in Dhahran, Jeddah

El Salvador: Bukele Consolidates Power as Legislative Assembly Removes Presidential Term Limits

Israel, Palestinian Territories: Limited Humanitarian Aid, Airdrops Enter Gaza

Mexico: Government to Expand Internet Access, Cut Costs with New Telecom Law

Panama: State of Emergency on Protest-Ridden Province Unlikely to End Demonstrations in the Long Term

Colombia: Marches Against Assassination Attempt Highlight Government's Dwindling Popular Support

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support