<p>The Asia-Pacific is home to more people than any other region. Centered on the western rim of the Pacific Ocean, this region includes the easternmost countries of continental Asia as well as the archipelagos that punctuate the coast. Several of these countries, most notably China, experienced rapid economic growth in the second half of the 20th century, giving the region a new sense of global economic relevance that continues today. That relevance, however, depends largely on China, a power in transition whose rise is testing the network of U.S. alliances that have long dominated the region. How effectively Beijing manages its transition will shape the regional balance of power in the decades to come.</p>

Centered on the western rim of the Pacific Ocean, the Asia-Pacific region includes the easternmost countries of continental Asia as well as the archipelagos that punctuate the coast. 

Asia-Pacific

Australia

Samoa

Brunei Darussalam

Cambodia

China

Timor-Leste

Federated States of Micronesia

Fiji

Indonesia

Japan

Kiribati

Laos

Malaysia

Marshall Islands

Mongolia

Myanmar

Nauru

New Zealand

North Korea

Palau

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Singapore

Solomon Islands

South Korea

Taiwan

Thailand

Tonga

Tuvalu

Vanuatu

Vietnam

Beyond Quantitative Easing

The New Silk Road

Modernizing China’s Military

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

Globalization

Social Issues

Coping With a Nuclear North Korea

Moscow Looks to the East

China in Transition

A Japanese Awakening

Asia-Pacific: Among Great Powers

Southeast Asia: Burdened by Consensus

Assessments

Ethiopia

Brazil

Israel

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

Politics

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

Snapshots

Russia

India

Participants of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 pose for photos in Tianjin, China, on Sept. 1, 2025.

Economics

Energy

Global Trade

U.S. trade uncertainty will help China deepen trade ties with its Central Asian neighbors and infrastructure ties with Russia, but its relations with India will remain inhibited by border disputes and differing defense priorities.

China Positions Itself as Growth Catalyst for Central Asia at SCO Summit

A protest in front of police headquarters Aug. 31 in in Surabaya, Indonesia. Mass protests are poised to continue absent unlikely and large government concessions, but President Prabowo Subianto's position will remain secure.

While mass protests are poised to continue absent unlikely and large government concessions, President Prabowo Subianto's position will remain secure. 

Unrest in Indonesia Will Continue, but Not Dislodge the Government

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Europe

Eurasia

South Asia

The Geopolitics of Trade

Environment, Science & Technology

Military & Security

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

Ecuador

Mexico

United States

Ukraine

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

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

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a meeting on May 14, 2015, in Xian, China. 

While Trump-era tariff pressures offer a new economic incentive for cooperation, Beijing and New Delhi are unlikely to fully normalize ties due to enduring strategic and security concerns.

Despite Modest Improvement, India-China Relations Face Enduring Challenges

A photo taken on Jan. 11, 2022, shows soldiers from the Taaung National Liberation Army (TNLA), a Palaung ethnic armed group, gathering in Myanmar's northern Shan state.

The junta's recent announcements portend intensified violence ahead of what will be highly controlled elections, which will further fragment the war-torn nation but may also help ease its international isolation.

Myanmar's Elections and the Military's Quest for Legitimacy

Iran

Germany

The Maanshan nuclear power plant is seen next to a beach in Pingtung, in southern Taiwan, on April 29, 2025.

The Weekly Rundown: Iran Meets With European Powers, Taiwan Holds a Nuclear Referendum

Argentina

Bolivia

Canada

Paraguay

Uruguay

Venezuela

Lebanon

United Arab Emirates

Mercosur is increasingly opening its markets in pursuit of free trade agreements with partners around the world, particularly as U.S. protectionism shifts global trade dynamics.

The Geopolitics of Trade: What Changing Trade Dynamics Mean for Mercosur

Pakistan

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with various Chinese officials this week during a six-day visit to China, resulting in the two countries signing $7 billion in memoranda of understanding as well as $1.5 billion in joint ventures across a range of sectors, including agriculture, renewable energy, health and steel, AP reported Sept. 5.

Pakistan, China: Countries Sign $8.5 Billion in Investment Deals, Renew Commitment to Starting CPEC's Next Phase

China's Ministry of Commerce on Sept. 5 announced it was placing preliminary anti-dumping duties of 15.6-62.4% on pork imports suitable for human consumption from the European Union, effective Sept. 10, Bloomberg has reported.

China, EU: Beijing Places 16-62% Anti-Dumping Duties on European Pork

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

Former Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of the center-right Bhumjaithai Party was elected as Thailand's 32nd prime minister, securing 311 of 490 votes in the lower house, the Bangkok Post reported Sept. 5.

Thailand: Lower House Elects New Prime Minister, the Fourth in Two Years

North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first bilateral talks in six years on Sept. 4 in Beijing, Xinhua reported the same day, but the Chinese state news outlet did not disclose details of their discussion.

China, North Korea: Xi and Kim Hold First Talks in Six Years

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

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stood beside Chinese President Xi Jinping at China's Sept. 3 military parade, which was also attended by dozens of other world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Reuters has reported.

North Korea, China: Kim Attends China's Military Parade Alongside Xi

Former Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of Thailand's center-right Bhumjaithai Party has secured support from 289 of 492 lawmakers, positioning him to become Thailand's next prime minister in a Sept. 5 lower house vote, Bloomberg reported Sep. 3.

Thailand: New Prime Minister Incoming With Snap Elections on the Horizon

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Pakistan, China: Countries Sign $8.5 Billion in Investment Deals, Renew Commitment to Starting CPEC's Next Phase

China, EU: Beijing Places 16-62% Anti-Dumping Duties on European Pork

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

Thailand: Lower House Elects New Prime Minister, the Fourth in Two Years

China, North Korea: Xi and Kim Hold First Talks in Six Years

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

North Korea, China: Kim Attends China's Military Parade Alongside Xi

Thailand: New Prime Minister Incoming With Snap Elections on the Horizon

Forecasts

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