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

Media

Podcasts

Economics

Politics

How will these recent developments influence the 2026 general election?

Drupal Podcast: Essential Geopolitics: Brazil's Evolving Political Climate Amid Bolsonaro's House Arrest and Trump's Tariffs

Assessments

Ethiopia

Israel

Japan

France

United Kingdom

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou leaves after the weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on Aug. 27, 2025.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

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

The Weekly Rundown: France's Bayrou Faces a Confidence Vote, Ethiopia Inaugurates Its Mega-Dam

The U.S. Navy warship USS Sampson docks at the Amador International Cruise Terminal in Panama City on Aug. 30, 2025. 

Energy

Military & Security

While further kinetic operations against Venezuelan drug trafficking groups are probable, the Trump administration's pressure campaign against Caracas is unlikely to escalate into a U.S. invasion or seriously threaten the Maduro regime.

Assessing U.S. Military Activity in the Caribbean and What It Means for Venezuela

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

U.S. Naval Update Map: Sept. 4, 2025

Columns

On Geopolitics

A portrait of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan is seen in the background as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 22, 2025.

Environment, Science & Technology

In just seven months in office, the Trump administration has pursued a series of highly unconventional economic policies that, taken together, amount to the deepest government interventionism into the U.S. economy of any president since the Reagan era.

The Visible Hand: Trump's Interventionism Reshapes American Capitalism

U.S.-China Relations

India

A freight train carrying cargo containers rides along a railway track in Ajmer, India, on Aug. 26, 2025. 

Global Trade

While India will remain engaged in U.S. trade talks, a deal that secures relief from Trump's 50% tariff will remain elusive amid New Delhi's reluctance to reduce its agricultural protections and Russian oil purchases. 


U.S. Tariffs Strain India's Exports Amid Stalled Trade Talks

Sub-Saharan Africa

Middle East and North Africa

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

South Asia

The Geopolitics of Trade

Geopolitical, security and environmental risks threaten to disrupt trade through crucial waterways, including the Bab el-Mandeb strait, the Suez Canal, the Danish and Turkish straits, and the Panama Canal.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Threats to Maritime Chokepoints Endanger Global Trade, Part 2

China

North Korea

Ukraine

Russia

Helicopters fly in the sky during a rehearsal for a military parade Aug. 24 in Beijing.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: An SCO Summit, Rubio Closes Security Deals With Mexico and Ecuador

Djibouti

Somalia

The flag of Somaliland is seen during a political rally in Hargeisa on Nov. 8, 2024.

The United States is growing more likely to recognize Somaliland's statehood to secure basing rights in the territory, which would likely roil U.S.-Somalia relations and risk plunging Somalia into crisis.

Assessing the Prospect of the U.S. Recognizing Somaliland's Independence

Diverse security risks threaten maritime chokepoints around the world, presenting unique challenges to international trade.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Threats to Maritime Chokepoints Endanger Global Trade, Part 1

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Ecuador on Sept. 4 and met with President Daniel Noboa and Ecuadoran Foreign Minister Maria Gabriela Sommerfeld Rosero, during which Rubio announced that the United States would provide $20 million in new security commitments to the country, including $13 million for general security funding and $6 million for drones, Reuters reported the same day.

U.S., Ecuador: Rubio Pledges Security Funds to Quito, Says U.S. Is Designating Major Gangs as Terrorists

The White House released an executive order late on Sept. 4 with details on the U.S.-Japan trade deal, confirming a 15% tariff on most goods, including automobiles, as well as tariff exemptions for pharmaceuticals and certain natural resources, though the deal only vaguely outlines their investment agreement, with no timeline or clarification on the allocation of profits, Bloomberg has reported.

U.S., Japan: Details of Trade Deal Revealed, but Disputes Still Likely

The European Commission on Sept. 5 issued a 2.95 billion euro ($3.5 billion) fine for Google over its advertising technology.

Europe, U.S.: European Commission Fines Google Over Ad-Tech 

Two Venezuelan F-16 fighter jets flew over a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Caribbean, which the Pentagon described as a highly provocative act, Reuters reported Sept. 5.

Americas: Venezuelan Jets Fly Over U.S. Warships as Tensions in Caribbean Escalate

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and members of her cabinet in Mexico City on Sept. 3, during which they vowed to continue collaboration on cross-border security issues, including drug trafficking, AP reported the same day.

U.S., Mexico: Rubio Meets With Sheinbaum, Pledges Continued Security Collaboration

Guyanese President Irfaan Ali was reelected for a second five-year term, with his People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) winning more than twice as many votes as the second-placed party in the country's general election, Reuters reported on Sept. 3.


Guyana: President Ali Wins Reelection on Back of Oil Boom

Australia

Some 30 leaders and senior officials from Europe, Japan, Australia and Canada met in Paris to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, Reuters reported on Sept. 4.

Europe, Ukraine, Russia: Ukraine's Western Backers Discuss Security Guarantees for Kyiv

The Argentine government announced a change in its exchange rate policy and the Treasury will now intervene in the currency market to provide liquidity and defend the peso, Bloomberg reported Sept. 1.

Argentina: Businesses To Face Financial and Regulatory Volatility Amid Scandal, Elections

Americas

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., Ecuador: Rubio Pledges Security Funds to Quito, Says U.S. Is Designating Major Gangs as Terrorists

U.S., Japan: Details of Trade Deal Revealed, but Disputes Still Likely

Europe, U.S.: European Commission Fines Google Over Ad-Tech

Americas: Venezuelan Jets Fly Over U.S. Warships as Tensions in Caribbean Escalate

U.S., Mexico: Rubio Meets With Sheinbaum, Pledges Continued Security Collaboration

Guyana: President Ali Wins Reelection on Back of Oil Boom

Europe, Ukraine, Russia: Ukraine's Western Backers Discuss Security Guarantees for Kyiv

Argentina: Businesses To Face Financial and Regulatory Volatility Amid Scandal, Elections

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