RANE Podcast Series

In this episode of Essential Geopolitics, RANE’s Latin America Analyst Mario Braga and RANE’s Senior Middle East and North Africa Analyst Ryan Bohl explain the dynamics of the current situation between Venezuela and the U.S. and deep dive into the complex history of the relationship that shapes the outlook for various cooperative and/or conflict-ridden scenarios. 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 Dr. Mark Gold to discuss causes and implications of the recent increase of global cocaine production and use.  Mark S. Gold, M.D., 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. 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 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.

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 FORECAST SUMMARY HERE. 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.  

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.

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 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 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.  

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 the New England Asset Management Division at General Re Corporation. Over the last 30 years, Jim has held several executive roles in the financial analysis arena, including at mainstays in the ratings industry as well as independent research firms. You can read more about Jim Nadler and his work here: https://www.kbra.com/company/overview 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 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 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 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 for our clients. For more information about RANE's risk management solutions, visit www.ranenetwork.com.

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

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

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

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 colonial past shapes and explains the present. Compelling, dynamic and thought provoking, he offers a fascinating look at where America has come from, how we ended up as we are, and how we might shape our future. Author of the award winning Wall Street Journal bestseller American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America, Woodard has written six books including The Republic of Pirates — a New York Times bestselling history of Blackbeard’s pirate gang that was made into a primetime NBC series with John Malkovich and Claire Foye – and Union: The Struggle to Forge the Story of United States Nationhood, which tells the harrowing story of the creation of the American myth in the 19th century, a story that reverberates in the news cycle today. 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 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 developing the pioneering translational laboratory to human research methods of discovery for addiction and psychiatry. He recently published the following article in Psychology Today on the role sugar plays on overall health: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/addiction-outlook/202505/is-sugar-really-poison Find more content from Dr. Gold here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/mark-s-gold-md 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.