RANE Podcast Series

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 reminiscent of the July 2024 protests in Bangladesh which erupted over a controversial job-quota system and broader discontent with governance. As a result, the long-time prime minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down and an interim government took leadership with elections scheduled for February 2026. It’s also not dissimilar to the widespread 2022 protests in Sri Lanka over the country’s economic collapse, fuel shortages, and soaring inflation that forced the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign and flee the country. In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE's South Asia Analyst Misha Iqbal explores the cause behind recent unrest in Nepal and unpacks the larger trend of political instability in South Asia over the past few years. 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 risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support to ensure business continuity and resilience for our clients. For more information about RANE's risk management solutions, visit www.ranenetwork.com.

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 Geopolitics, RANE’s Middle East and North Africa Analyst Kristin Ronzi unpacks likely geopolitical causes and implications of the recent rise in Gen Z protests. 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 risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support to ensure business continuity and resilience for our clients. For more information about RANE's risk management solutions, visit www.ranenetwork.com.

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 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 RANE's risk management solutions, visit www.ranenetwork.com.

In this engaging discussion, Adriano Bosoni and Sam Lichtenstein, Directors of Analysis at RANE, dive into pressing geopolitical trends. They dissect the evolution of U.S. trade policy and the shift to targeted tariffs. The conversation also covers Ukraine's conflict dynamics, with insights into Russia's capabilities, potential diplomatic paths, and hybrid warfare tactics in Europe. Additionally, they explore tensions in the Middle East, focusing on Israel's aggressive stance and the risks surrounding Iran and Syria.

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.  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 risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support to ensure business continuity and resilience for our clients. For more information about RANE's risk management solutions, visit www.ranenetwork.com.

Markus Jaeger, a Global Economy Analyst at RANE, delves into the precarious state of Federal Reserve independence amidst political criticism, particularly from the Trump administration. He discusses the legal foundations that uphold the Fed's autonomy, highlighting the significance of the dismissal of Fed Governor Cook. Jaeger warns of scenarios that could threaten this independence and analyzes the market implications of politically motivated rate cuts. He also considers the global effects of a weaker dollar and its impact on emerging markets.

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 risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support to ensure business continuity and resilience for our clients. For more information about RANE's risk management solutions, visit www.ranenetwork.com.

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 historical milestones in two nations of crucial geopolitical importance: China and Russia. In particular, he investigates how leaders in those nations secure themselves against threats at home and abroad. His research agenda contributes to several fields and disciplines: international relations, comparative politics, security studies, history, and Chinese and Russian studies.  You can learn more about his work here.  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 risk and security professionals access to critical insights, analysis and support to ensure business continuity and resilience for our clients. For more information about RANE's risk management solutions, visit www.ranenetwork.com.

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 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 RANE's risk management solutions, visit www.ranenetwork.com.

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 and resilience for our clients. For more information about RANE's risk management solutions, visit www.ranenetwork.com.