<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

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Brunei Darussalam

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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

Columns

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Environment, Science & Technology

Several major Western automakers are considering shifting more of their auto-parts manufacturing to China to avoid factory shutdowns due to an inability to source Chinese rare earth magnets, The Wall Street Journal reported on June 3. These reports come as China has been slow to approve export licenses for rare earths and rare earth magnets amid trade tensions with the United States.

columns: China: Limits on Rare Earth Exports Force Western Automakers To Consider Relocating Production

Assessments

Lee Jae-myung and his wife celebrate his projected victory in South Korea's presidential election on June 4, 2025, in Seoul, South Korea.

Economics

Global Trade

Politics

Lee Jae-myung and his progressive party will pursue pro-labor domestic policies, along with U.S. tariff relief and improved ties with China and North Korea.

After Months of Political Tumult, South Korea Elects a New President

Global Elections

Mexico

Poland

Ukraine

Russia

Ukrainian, U.S. and Russian delegates meet for peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 16, 2025. 

Military & Security

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Ukraine-Russia Talks, Mexico's First-Ever Judicial Elections

Snapshots

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Europe

A U.S. courthouse facade with columns in lower Manhattan, New York.

The court ruling nullifies most -- though not all -- of the Trump administration's tariffs, giving U.S. trading partners temporary breathing room in negotiations while the White House searches for alternative trade measures.

The White House's Tariff Ambitions Bend -- But Do Not Break -- Under the Weight of a Court Ruling

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto speaks during an economic event in Jakarta on April 8, 2025.

The president's efforts to consolidate power via welfare populism and security-minded governance could face challenges if economic headwinds strengthen, especially amid looming U.S. tariff threats.

How Subianto Is Making His Mark on Indonesian Politics

The ASEAN logo May 15 in front of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia will host the first of the two annual summits of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on May 26.

The Weekly Rundown: Trans-Atlantic Trade Talks Intensify, Malaysia Hosts Two Summits

On Geopolitics

A digital illustration of a Chinese flag.

The apparent ineffectiveness of consumer subsidies in raising retail sales, paired with the government's continued resistance to stimulus, suggests that China's post-COVID consumer activity will remain depressed for the foreseeable future.

Gauging the Success of China's Consumer Subsidies Program, One Year Later

U.S.-China Relations

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton concedes defeat during a Liberal Party election night event on May 3, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. 

The collapse of the center-right Liberal-National Coalition (LNC) will grant the ruling Labor Party freer rein to implement energy transition, industrial investment and fiscal reform policies.

Collapse of Australia's Conservative Coalition Reshapes Political Landscape, Further Empowers Labor

Supporters of Kim Moon Soo, the opposition candidate running in South Korea's June 3 presidential election, react during a campaign event in Seoul on May 19, 2025.

A ruling party victory would portend a continuation of Yoon's pro-business, pro-U.S. policies, while an opposition victory would see Seoul focus more on improving domestic economic equity and increasing engagement with North Korea and China.

South Korea's Presidential Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Visitors walk down the inclined shaft at Steenkampskraal rare-earth mine on July 29, 2019, about 80 kilometers (about 50 miles) from Vanrhynsdorp, a town in Western Cape province, South Africa.

U.S.-China trade tensions are increasing the risk of supply chain disruptions for critical raw materials, but companies can take steps to mitigate this danger.

Corporate America Comes to Grips With Supply Chain Risks to Critical Raw Materials

Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, Mongolia's prime minister and head of the long-dominant Mongolian People's Party, was ousted when he failed to win a vote of confidence, only receiving 44 of the 64 votes required despite the MPP's control over 76 out of 126 legislative seats, Bloomberg reported on June 2.

Mongolia: Prime Minister Ousted Amid Protests, Ruling Party To Remain

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is considering calling a snap lower house election in order to preempt a no-confidence vote motion by the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party and to take advantage of a perceived lack of readiness by the CDP for such an election, according to several senior officials cited by The Asahi Shimbun on June 3.

Japan: Prime Minister Ishiba Considering a Snap Election

The United States submitted a lengthy list of "tough" demands to Vietnam in ongoing trade negotiations, including measures that would reduce Hanoi's ability to import industrial inputs from China, Reuters reported on June 3.

Vietnam, U.S.: Hanoi Faces Industrial Realignment Choices Amid Steep U.S. Demands

Jordan

Syria

Turkey

The U.S. envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, said the United States had begun reducing its troop presence in Syria "from eight bases, to five, to three. We'll eventually go to one," the Financial Times reported on June 3. 

Syria, U.S.: U.S. Begins Troop Drawdown in Syria

The president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China said China was approving only a few rare earth export licenses, "far from being sufficient to prevent imminent production halts," The New York Times reported on June 2.

U.S., China: Rare Earth Export Curbs Start To Bite, Beijing Refutes U.S. Accusations

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social on May 30 that China "perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY," in reference to the United States' May 12 deal with China to reduce tariffs.

U.S., China: Trump Cries Foul on Trade as Both Sides Maintain Retaliatory Power

New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins announced an expanded regional military role, committing to more frequent and longer-reaching deployments and closer cooperation with allies so Wellington can "pull its weight," Reuters reported on May 30. 

New Zealand: Wellington To 'Pull Its Weight' in South China Sea, Indian Ocean

France

French President Emmanuel Macron and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto signed 27 cooperation agreements during the former's state visit to Indonesia, deepening collaboration in defense and energy, among other areas, the Indonesia Business Post reported on May 29.

France, Indonesia: Paris, Jakarta Deepen Defense, Energy Ties

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Mongolia: Prime Minister Ousted Amid Protests, Ruling Party To Remain

Japan: Prime Minister Ishiba Considering a Snap Election

Vietnam, U.S.: Hanoi Faces Industrial Realignment Choices Amid Steep U.S. Demands

Syria, U.S.: U.S. Begins Troop Drawdown in Syria

U.S., China: Rare Earth Export Curbs Start To Bite, Beijing Refutes U.S. Accusations

U.S., China: Trump Cries Foul on Trade as Both Sides Maintain Retaliatory Power

New Zealand: Wellington To 'Pull Its Weight' in South China Sea, Indian Ocean

France, Indonesia: Paris, Jakarta Deepen Defense, Energy Ties

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