Who are Russia, North Korea, and Iran?

A breakdown of the current political and economic climate in each country

Russia

Russia is a country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world by land area, spanning over 17 million square kilometers. Russia has a population of over 144 million people, making it the ninth most populous country in the world. The capital of Russia is Moscow, which is also the country's largest city. Russia is a federal semi-presidential republic. The current president of Russia is Vladimir Putin, who has been in power since 2000. The Russian economy is the eleventh largest in the world by nominal GDP. Russia is a major exporter of oil and gas, and its economy is heavily dependent on the energy sector. Russia has been involved in a number of conflicts in recent years, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the ongoing war in eastern Ukraine. Russia is also accused of interfering in the 2016 US presidential election.

North Korea

North Korea is a country located in East Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Russia to the northeast, and South Korea to the south. North Korea has a population of over 25 million people, making it the 53rd most populous country in the world. The capital of North Korea is Pyongyang, which is also the country's largest city. North Korea is a totalitarian dictatorship. The current leader of North Korea is Kim Jong-un, who has been in power since 2011. The North Korean economy is one of the most closed in the world, and it is heavily dependent on the state. North Korea is a nuclear-armed state, and it is considered to be one of the most dangerous countries in the world. North Korea has been involved in a number of conflicts with South Korea, including the Korean War (1950-1953). North Korea is also accused of supporting terrorism.

Iran

Iran is a country located in the Middle East. It is bordered by Iraq to the west, Turkey to the northwest, Armenia and Azerbaijan to the north, Turkmenistan to the northeast, Afghanistan to the east, and Pakistan to the southeast. Iran has a population of over 83 million people, making it the 18th most populous country in the world. The capital of Iran is Tehran, which is also the country's largest city. Iran is an Islamic republic. The current Supreme Leader of Iran is Ali Khamenei, who has been in power since 1989. The Iranian economy is the 18th largest in the world by nominal GDP. Iran is a major exporter of oil and gas, and its economy is heavily dependent on the energy sector. Iran is a nuclear-armed state, and it is considered to be one of the most influential countries in the Middle East. Iran has been involved in a number of conflicts in recent years, including the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) and the Syrian Civil War (2011-present). Iran is also accused of supporting terrorism.