The Decision Advantage

In September 2025, Nepal’s government banned major social-media platforms, which ignited wider youth protests over corruption, unemployment, and elite privilege. After days of deadly protests, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned, paving the way for an interim leader to take charge and call for fresh elections for March 2026. This is the most recent political upheaval in South Asia and it’s rem...

Political instability is on the rise in Africa, driven by a new wave of youth activism. Gen Z is increasingly vocal in demanding political and economic reforms, as seen in Morocco and Madagascar. In Morocco, the Gen Z 212 protests began in late September, criticizing the government's public service provision, corruption in the government and the current prime minister. In this episode of Essential...

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE's Asia-Pacific Analyst Chase Blazek unpacks the results of Japan’s recent LDP leadership election and explores what the outcome means for the  country going forward. Register here to receive a complimentary subscription to RiskBook, our curated email digest with the latest risk news and analysis, delivered every weekday morning.  RANE is a global risk...

RANE recently published our Fourth Quarter Geopolitical and Threat Intelligence Forecasts which cover key trends we're following in the final months of 2025, including U.S. trade policy, the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East. In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE’s Directors of Analysis Adriano Bosoni and Sam Lichtenstein share a brief overview of the report.  DOWNLOAD THE F...

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has unveiled what she calls ODNI 2.0 — a sweeping overhaul that will cut nearly half of the agency’s workforce, eliminate or consolidate several intelligence centers, and slash more than $700 million in annual costs. RANE’s Cyber Intelligence Analyst Hayley Benedict explains the increased cybersecurity risks associated with the recent ODNI cuts.  Reg...

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE’s Global Economy Analyst Markus Jaeger analyzes the risks associated with potentially compromised Fed independence in light of President Trump’s criticism of the organization. Register here to receive a complimentary subscription to RiskBook, our curated email digest with the latest risk news and analysis, delivered every weekday morning.  RANE is a g...

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE's Europe Analyst Matteo Ilardo provides his insights into the causes and implications of rising regional tensions in the Baltic.  Register here to receive a complimentary subscription to RiskBook, our curated email digest with the latest risk news and analysis, delivered every weekday morning.  RANE is a global risk intelligence company that delivers...

In this episode of RANE Insights, Founder of RANE David Lawrence sits down with author Joseph Torigian to discuss authoritarian geopolitical dynamics and strategy.  Joseph studies the politics of authoritarian regimes with a specific focus on elite power struggles, civil-military relations, and grand strategy. He uses primary sources, rare books, and interviews to provide new accounts of historica...

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE's Latin America Analyst discusses the future of Brazil’s political environment in light of Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes August 4th decision to put former President Jair Bolsonaro under home arrest for violating restraining orders in a lawsuit related to a coup attempt in 2022.  RANE is a global risk intelligence company that del...

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE’s Sub-Saharan Africa Analyst Rémi Dodd discusses South Africa’s most recent corruption scandal and explains what it could mean for the country’s political environment going forward.  RANE is a global risk intelligence company that delivers risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support to ensure business continuity a...

In this episode of RANE Insights, Founder of RANE David Lawrence sits down with President, CEO, and Co-Founder of Kroll Bond Rating Agency Jim Nadler for an in-depth conversation about the credit ratings industry and its influence on the market.  Jim Nadler is President, CEO, and Co-Founder of Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA). Prior to joining KBRA, Jim was responsible for all alternative assets in...

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE's Middle East and North Africa Analyst Kristin Ronzi discusses the impact of the 12-Day war on Gulf Arab countries and lays out what this will mean for Gulf-Iranian relations going forward. RANE is a global risk intelligence company that delivers risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support to ensure business conti...

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE's Asia-Pacific Analyst Chase Blazek discusses the outlook for Japan’s upper house parliamentary elections and explores implications based on likely election scenarios. RANE is a global risk intelligence company that delivers risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support to ensure business continuity and resilience f...

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE's Cyber Intelligence Analyst Hayley Benedict discusses cyber risks associated with the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the U.S.. RANE is a global risk intelligence company that delivers risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support to ensure business continuity and resilience for our clients. For more information...

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE's Senior Middle East and North Africa Analyst Ryan Bohl lays out the major incentives and possible long-term scenarios for the Iran-Israel conflict. RANE is a global risk intelligence company that delivers risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support to ensure business continuity and resilience for our clients. For...

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE's Global Security Analyst Freddy Khoueiry discusses the prospect and potential implications of disarming militias in Lebanon. RANE is a global risk intelligence company that delivers risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support to ensure business continuity and resilience for our clients. For more information about...

In this episode of RANE Insights, Founder of RANE David Lawrence sits down for a conversation with Colin Woodard, New York Times Bestselling Author and Pulitzer Prize Finalist.  Colin Woodard – a New York Times bestselling historian and Polk Award-winning journalist – is one of the most respected authorities on North American regionalism, the sociology of United States nationhood, and how our colo...

In this episode of RANE Insights, Founder of RANE David Lawrence speaks with Dr. Mark Gold about the harmful effects of sugar on the human body.  Dr. Gold is an author, inventor, and mentor who has had over 1,000 peer-reviewed publications since beginning his academic career at the University of Florida College of Medicine and Yale University School of Medicine in the 1970s. He is best known for d...

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE's Asia-Pacific Analyst Nate Fischler provides an overview of Australia’s current political environment in light of the country’s recent election and Trump’s tariff plan.   RANE is a global risk intelligence company that delivers risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support to ensure business continuity and resilien...

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE's Middle East and North Africa Analyst Ryan Bohl and RANE’s Global Economy Analyst, Markus Jaeger discuss the outlook for the global economy given the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to tariffs. RANE is a global risk intelligence company that delivers risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support to ensur...

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE's Director of Analysis Adriano Bosoni and RANE’s South Asia Analyst Misha Iqbal discuss the brief conflict between India and Pakistan in early May and share insights into the future of the countries’ relationship.  RANE is a global risk intelligence company that delivers risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support...

In this episode of RANE Insights, Founder of RANE David Lawrence sits down with Dr. Mark Gold to discuss why specific language is helpful in preventing drug relapses. Dr. Gold is an author, inventor, and mentor who has had over 1,000 peer-reviewed publications since beginning his academic career at the University of Florida College of Medicine and Yale University School of Medicine in the 1970s. H...

In this episode of the Applied Geopolitics podcast, Rodger Baker, RANE’s Executive Director of the Stratfor Center for Applied Geopolitics sits down for a conversation with Alina Park, CEO of Ekho Labs, a platform that builds predictive intelligence for global disruptions. RANE is a global risk intelligence company that delivers risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis...

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE’s Middle East and North Africa Analyst Kristin Ronzi analyzes Turkey’s recent protests, the factors leading up to them, and explores what the future of the country’s opposition movement looks like as we approach 2028 presidential elections. RANE is a global risk intelligence company that delivers risk and security professionals access to critical insi...

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE's South Asia Analyst Misha Iqbal for a conversation on India’s recent growth slowdown and the overall outlook for the country’s economy.  RANE is a global risk intelligence company that delivers risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support to ensure business continuity and resilience for our clients. For more infor...