Assessments

Russia

Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov visits the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on May 13, 2024, in Moscow, Russia. Belousov was named defense minister on May 12. 

Military & Security

Politics

The move to replace former Defense Minister Shoigu with a trusted economist signals an intent to better align Russia's military-industrial complex with the government's broader economic strategy.

Putin Taps an Economist To Head Russia's Defense Ministry

Spain

PSC candidate Salvador Illa waves following Catalonia's regional elections May 12 in the Spanish city of Barcelona. While the result of Catalonia's regional election reduces the risk of another push for independence in the short to medium term, it also increases uncertainty regarding the stability of the Spanish central government and its ability to pass legislation.

While the result of Catalonia's regional election reduces the risk of another push for independence in the short to medium term, it also increases uncertainty regarding the stability of the Spanish central government and its ability to pass legislation.

A Socialist Win in Catalonia Reflects a Diminished Separatist Drive

Brazil

Chile

United States

China

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

The Weekly Rundown: Putin Goes to China, New U.S. Tariffs on China

U.S.-China Relations

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (left), surrounded by their respective delegations, hold a meeting in Beijing, China, on Oct. 18, 2023. 

Economics

Energy

The Russian president will likely push for greater trade, military and energy cooperation, but a breakthrough is unlikely unless it happens on China's terms.

What To Expect During Putin's Trip to China

Stay informed about the significant meetings and events RANE analysts are tracking.

Geopolitical Calendar

Sri Lanka

(From left to right) Peter Breuer, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, speaks next to Krishna Srinivasan, the Director of the IMF's Asia and Pacific Department, during a press conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 15, 2023. 

The IMF will likely approve the next tranche of Sri Lanka's $2.9 billion bailout. But if Colombo fails to reach a deal with its bondholders in the coming months, future disbursements may be at risk.

What's at Stake As Sri Lanka Struggles To Restructure Its Debt

Japan

North Korea

South Korea

Natsumi Sakai (C) of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan poses with others after receiving news that she won the by-election for the Tokyo No. 15 district seat for the lower house, in Tokyo, Japan, on April 28, 2024.

Recent by-elections reveal that a slush fund scandal is continuing to take its toll on Japan's ruling party, but Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to remain in power, for now.

By-Election Losses Shake Japan's Ruling Party, but Kishida Stays the Course

Mexico

Mexico's June 2 presidential election will pit former Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum from the ruling Morena party against leading opposition candidate Xochitl Galvez.

2024 Elections: Mexico

Tracking U.S. Naval Power

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: May 9, 2024

Media

Iran

Israel

Podcasts

What are each country's defense capabilities?

Essential Geopolitics: The Future of Israel-Iran Relations

South Africa

The skyline of Johannesburg, South Africa, is seen on April 19, 2023.

The government that emerges from the May 29 election will probably fail to address the structural factors holding back South Africa's economy, but a financial crisis remains unlikely for now.

Assessing South Africa's Post-Election Economic Outlook

Snapshots

Colombia

Colombian President Gustavo Petro participates in a march for International Workers Day in Bogota, Colombia, on May 1, 2024. 

The ongoing scandals and growing public dissatisfaction with the government will prolong political volatility and policy uncertainty in Colombia, while increasing the risk of social unrest.

What Another Corruption Scandal Means for Colombia's Fragile Government

Latest

Egypt

The sun sets behind high voltage transmission towers along a highway in El-Shorouk, about 47 kilometers outside the city center of Cairo, on July 24, 2023. 

Environment, Science & Technology

Egypt will struggle to increase its gas supplies and expand its renewable energy sector to keep up with the electricity needs of the country's growing population, portending more power cuts in the coming years.

Egypt's Energy Crisis Isn't Going Anywhere

Australia

Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands' newly elected prime minister Jeremiah Manele speaks during a press conference in Honiara on May 2, 2024.

The leadership change will maintain the strategic Pacific Island nation's new pro-Beijing bent, driving the U.S. and Australia to scale up their own influence campaigns.

The Solomon Islands Elects Another Pro-China Prime Minister

Georgia

Georgian students protest the government's controversial ''foreign agents'' bill in Tbilisi on May 13, 2024. 

While the bill's passage may increase and radicalize supporters of the pro-Western opposition, the ruling GD party is still favored to win upcoming elections, ensuring the country's continued reorientation toward Russia.

Georgia Is Set To Adopt Its Controversial 'Foreign Agents' Bill. What Now?

Senegal

Bassirou Diomaye Faye gives an address as Senegal's president at an exhibition center in the new town of Diamniadio near the capital Dakar on April 2, 2024.

Senegal's young new president will likely slow-walk his plans to renegotiate contracts with energy companies, but this could deny him access to the funding he needs to pursue his economic pledges.

Will Senegal's New President Overhaul Its Oil and Gas Sector?

United Kingdom

Ballots are counted during local elections in Thornaby, England, on May 3, 2024. 

The outcome of the votes in England and Wales confirms the ruling Conservative Party will likely perform poorly in the general election, but also that the opposition Labour Party will face competition from smaller parties.

What To Make of the Local U.K. Election Results

Europe

France

Serbia

Hungary

Chinese President Xi Jinping is seen between the Chinese and French national flags in Beijing on Jan. 9, 2018. 

During the rare visit, the Chinese president will seek to ease EU trade tensions and secure Beijing's economic presence and influence in Central and Eastern Europe.

What To Expect During Xi's Trip to Europe

Haiti

A Haitian police officer controls the area around the country's National Palace in Port-au-Prince on May 1, 2024.

The reversal in the transitional council's appointment of a new prime minister highlights political tensions within the governing body, indicating risks of further political instability and violence in the coming months.

Disputes Over a Prime Minister Appointment Bode Ill for Haiti's Stability

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) reservoirs are seen at the Yamal LNG plant in the port of Sabetta, located on the Yamal Peninsula in northwest Siberia, Russia.

The restrictions would further complicate Russia's efforts to increase LNG production, while having only a limited impact on the EU's natural gas supplies.

The Implications of the EU's Proposed Sanctions on Russian LNG

Morocco

Moroccan Air Force mechanics examine an F-16 fighter jet at an airbase in Ben Guerir, about 58 kilometers north of Marrakesh, Morocco, on June 14, 2021. 

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Pressure from its pro-Palestinian population will not deter Morocco from using Israeli technology to expand its domestic weapons capabilities, as Rabat seeks to catch up to Algeria’s military power and position itself as an arms exporter.

Despite the Gaza War, Morocco-Israel Defense Ties Look Set to Deepen

Columns

On Geopolitics

A globe statue is seen at dusk.

As the international system becomes more multipolar, global norms will be increasingly tested, eroded and redefined, creating a more uncertain and volatile world.

Can International Norms Survive in a Multipolar World?

People attend the funeral procession in Tehran, Iran, on April 5, 2024, for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members killed in a recent Israeli strike in Syria.

Israel and Iran have shown they can stand on the brink and still step back. But future confrontations will run the risk of derailing strategic logic in their behavior, potentially trapping them in a war neither wants.

For Israel and Iran, April's Exchange Ushers In a New Era of Deterrence

Fiji

Indonesia

New Zealand

Philippines

Singapore

Vietnam

India

A 3D rendering of Southeast Asia from space at night with city lights showing Southeast Asian cities in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

In the Asia-Pacific, countries are increasingly pursuing complex networks of political, economic and defense ties as part of a burgeoning "multi-alignment" strategy that seeks to avoid U.S.-China strategic competition.

Examining 'Multi-Alignment' in the Asia-Pacific

An F-35C Lightning launches Jan. 6, 2022, off the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. 

Political, financial and economic constraints will continue to limit the U.S. government's flexibility in adjusting spending, resulting in an ongoing rise in federal debt.

The Ongoing Rise of U.S. Debt Amid Geopolitical, Financial and Economic Constraints

Ultra-Orthodox Jews visit Israeli army soldiers to show their support as they deploy at a position near the border with Gaza in southern Israel on Oct. 11, 2023. 

Whether Israel finally scraps its controversial draft exemption for ultra-Orthodox Jews will hinge largely on the evolution of the country's relationship with its neighbors and rivals in the years ahead.

In Israel, Wartime Realities Renew Scrutiny Over Ultra-Orthodox Military Exemptions

Ukraine

Ukrainian anti-aircraft gunners fire in the direction of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region on Feb. 20, 2024. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Social Issues

The second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Putin's upcoming address to the nation offer an ideal occasion to again consider how Russia has and will continue to change as a result of the war.

The Ukraine War's Impact on Russia, Two Years On

In the coming years, rising nationalist and anti-globalization ideologies will likely lead to heightened geopolitical competition and trade/technological fragmentation that will impact relations between countries.

Can Globalization Survive in an Increasingly Fragmented World?

Palestinian Territories

A Palestinian demonstrator waves a flag during confrontations with Israeli troops Jan. 6, 2023, in the West Bank village of Kfar Qaddum, near the Jewish settlement of Kedumim. A lack of progress toward a Palestinian state guarantees a resurgence of violence even as Israel establishes a new security paradigm in Gaza. 

A lack of progress toward a Palestinian state guarantees a resurgence of violence even as Israel establishes a new security paradigm in Gaza. 

The Distant Prospect of a Palestinian State

Pakistan

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan intends to privatize all state-owned enterprises except for strategic entities, although he did not specify the sectors deemed strategic, Reuters reported on May 14.

Pakistan: Prime Minister Reveals Plan To Privatize a Majority of State-Owned Firms

Peru

Multiple legislators are attempting to collect enough signatures to launch impeachment proceedings against President Dina Boluarte on the grounds of moral incapacity and for potentially breaking the law, MercoPress reported on May 14. 

Peru: Opposition Bloc Attempts To Launch Impeachment Motion Against President

Science & Technology

Opposition politicians are pressuring South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to defend South Korean company Naver after Japanese regulatory authorities issued administrative guidance for Japanese company SoftBank to reduce dependence on Naver in the companies' joint venture LY Corp., Nikkei Asia reported on May 15.

Japan, South Korea: Corporate Dispute Risks Undermining Rapprochement

EU member states gave their final approval to a reform of the bloc's migration and asylum policies, a press release from the European Council showed on May 14.

EU: Member States Approve New Asylum and Migration Rules

The European Commission will start a formal review of the bloc’s semiconductor supply chain to assess reliance on Chinese imports for so-called legacy chips, which are mature and low-end semiconductors (at or above 28 nanometers) used in all sorts of products, from household appliances to cars and medical devices, Politico reported on May 15. 

EU, China: Brussels To Launch Formal Review of China's Role in Legacy Chip Supply Chains

Thailand

The Thai Constitutional Court granted the opposition Move Forward party, or MFP, another 15-day extension to prepare its defense in its dissolution case, the Bangkok Post reported on May 15.

Thailand: Move Forward Party Granted 'Final' Extension Before Dissolution Trial

South Sudan

Djibouti

Ethiopia

Kenya

Kenyan authorities unveiled plans to develop a special economic zone (SEZ) in the port town of Lamu, Business Daily reported May 15.

Kenya: Authorities Unveil Plans for Special Economic Zone in Lamu as Part of Transport Masterplan 

Slovakia

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and injured on May 15 as he greeted people following a government meeting in the town of Handlova, about 150 km (about 93 miles) northeast of the country's capital Bratislava, AP reported shortly after the incident. 

Slovakia: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico Shot and Seriously Injured in Assassination Attempt

Lebanon

White House officials told Congress on May 14 that it would send some $1 billion in fresh arms and ammo to Israel, including $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and $60 million in mortar rounds, though it is unclear when the delivery will take place, AP reported on May 15.

U.S., Israel: Despite Rafah Threats, U.S. To Send $1B in Ammo and Aid to Israel

Finland

Sweden

Norway

A heavy-lift helicopter operated by the U.S. military flies over a tank in Setermoen, Norway, during a military exercise involving NATO troops and partner countries on March 22, 2022. 

The U.S.'s new pacts with Sweden, Finland and Denmark signal its intent to play a key role in transforming NATO's approach to securing its northern flank against Russia.

The Significance of U.S. Defense Cooperation Agreements in Northern Europe

Ukrainian servicemen fire with a 105mm howitzer toward Russian positions near the city of Bakhmut on March 8, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine faces immense challenges in 2024 and 2025 that only increased Western support and a new strategy that brings the war inside Russia would be capable of overcoming. 

Bracing for a Protracted War in Ukraine: Ukraine's Challenge in 2024 and Beyond

Cyber

The U.S. Senate's bipartisan working group on artificial intelligence, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, called for $32 billion in yearly spending on non-defense AI innovation, Politico reported on May 15.

U.S.: Senators Pitch $32B in Funding for AI Roadmap, Stay Silent on Regulation

Turkey

Videos

Why is Turkey blocking Finland's and Sweden's accession to NATO?

Essential Geopolitics: Why Turkey Is Blocking NATO From Bringing in Sweden and Finland

Algeria

Broken Contracts in the Middle East

Stratfor Middle East and North Africa Analyst Emily Hawthorne updates the political and economic situation in Algeria.

Essential Geopolitics: An Update on Algeria

Three Geopolitical Events in the Week Ahead • Oct. 21, 2019

Three Geopolitical Events in the Week Ahead • Oct. 14, 2019

In this short video Middle East and North Africa Analyst Ryan Bohl discusses three events to watch for this week.

Three Geopolitical Events in the Week Ahead • Oct. 7, 2019

Three Geopolitical Events in the Week Ahead • Sept. 23, 2019

Three Geopolitical Events in the Week Ahead • Sept. 9, 2019

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan's strategic location and natural resources make it of significant interest to external powers, including Russia, China, and the United States.

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

Stratfor explains Uzbekistan's struggle to maintain internal unity while balancing against its regional neighbors and external powers.

Uzbekistan's Geographic Challenge

Global Perspectives

Iraq

Partner Perspectives

More than 4,500 American service members have been killed in Iraq since the U.S. invasion in 2003. Security issues and conditions in Iraq will dictate whether U.S. forces will remain and, if so, what will be their size and mission.

The United States does not have attractive options as far as its military presence in Iraq, but it has workable ones to achieve its strategic and security goals.

To Leave or Not to Leave: The U.S. Security Dilemma in Iraq

Contributor Perspectives

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un faces a stark and narrow choice between denuclearizing or learning to accept China's growing control over his country.

By testing ICBMs and powerful nuclear weapons, the North Korean leader has placed himself in a strategic trap that threatens to leave his country at China's mercy.

Egypt's Energy Crisis Isn't Going Anywhere

Latest

SITUATION REPORTS

Pakistan: Prime Minister Reveals Plan To Privatize a Majority of State-Owned Firms

Peru: Opposition Bloc Attempts To Launch Impeachment Motion Against President

Japan, South Korea: Corporate Dispute Risks Undermining Rapprochement

EU: Member States Approve New Asylum and Migration Rules

EU, China: Brussels To Launch Formal Review of China's Role in Legacy Chip Supply Chains

Thailand: Move Forward Party Granted 'Final' Extension Before Dissolution Trial

Kenya: Authorities Unveil Plans for Special Economic Zone in Lamu as Part of Transport Masterplan

Slovakia: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico Shot and Seriously Injured in Assassination Attempt

U.S., Israel: Despite Rafah Threats, U.S. To Send $1B in Ammo and Aid to Israel

U.S.: Senators Pitch $32B in Funding for AI Roadmap, Stay Silent on Regulation

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