<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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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

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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: Putin Goes to China, New U.S. Tariffs on China

U.S.-China Relations

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (left), surrounded by their respective delegations, hold a meeting in Beijing, China, on Oct. 18, 2023. 

Economics

Energy

Military & Security

The Russian president will likely push for greater trade, military and energy cooperation, but a breakthrough is unlikely unless it happens on China's terms.

What To Expect During Putin's Trip to China

Natsumi Sakai (C) of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan poses with others after receiving news that she won the by-election for the Tokyo No. 15 district seat for the lower house, in Tokyo, Japan, on April 28, 2024.

Recent by-elections reveal that a slush fund scandal is continuing to take its toll on Japan's ruling party, but Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to remain in power, for now.

By-Election Losses Shake Japan's Ruling Party, but Kishida Stays the Course

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on Dec. 15, 2023, in in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Democratic backsliding will likely complicate government efforts to attract Western investment, but could portend improved relations with neighbors and Russia and China.

Gauging the Implications of Kyrgyzstan's Democratic Backsliding

An aerial photo taken on Sept. 25, 2022, shows solar panels at the Sao Mai solar energy plant in Vietnam’s An Giang province. 

Environment, Science & Technology

Several ASEAN countries are on track to develop substantial renewable power capacities in the short term, but technical, political and financial constraints, coupled with incentives to keep burning fossil fuels, will impede long-term decarbonization goals.

The Challenges Facing Southeast Asia's Decarbonization

Chad

Panama

France

Serbia

Hungary

Panamanian presidential candidate Jose Raul Mulino on May 1, 2024, in Panama City. Panamanians will vote May 5 to select their next president and all 71 members of the National Assembly.

The Weekly Rundown: Panama Holds General Elections, Xi Visits Europe

Snapshots

Europe

Chinese President Xi Jinping is seen between the Chinese and French national flags in Beijing on Jan. 9, 2018. 

During the rare visit, the Chinese president will seek to ease EU trade tensions and secure Beijing's economic presence and influence in Central and Eastern Europe.

What To Expect During Xi's Trip to Europe

Media

Podcasts

What is the future of Japan and the U.S.'s military relationship?

Essential Geopolitics: What Continued U.S.-Japan Cooperation Means for China

Columns

On Geopolitics

United Kingdom

India

A 3D rendering of Southeast Asia from space at night with city lights showing Southeast Asian cities in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

In the Asia-Pacific, countries are increasingly pursuing complex networks of political, economic and defense ties as part of a burgeoning "multi-alignment" strategy that seeks to avoid U.S.-China strategic competition.

Examining 'Multi-Alignment' in the Asia-Pacific

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Argentina

Bolivia

Peru

Palestinian Territories

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his wife, Begona Gomez, arrive Oct. 5, 2023, at the Carlos V Palace at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. Sanchez is expected to make an announcement about his political future on April 29 following his surprise decision April 25 to suspend public appearances after a court in Madrid announced an investigation into his wife for alleged influence-peddling and corruption.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: South American Foreign Ministers Visit China, the Spanish Premier Announces His Political Future

Iran

Malaysia informed a visiting U.S. Treasury Department delegation that it will not abide by unilateral U.S. sanctions against transshipments of Iranian oil, BenarNews reported on May 10.

Malaysia, U.S., Iran: Kuala Lumpur Refuses Washington's Request To Abide by Iran Sanctions

U.S.-Iran Relations

The Philippines' national security advisor called for the expulsion of Chinese diplomatic personnel allegedly responsible for recording and leaking a purported Jan. 3 phone conversation between a Chinese diplomat and a Philippine admiral, Bloomberg reported on May 10.

Philippines, China: Philippine National Security Advisor Calls for Expulsion of Chinese Diplomats

China and Hungary have upgraded their relationship to an "all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era," Chinese President Xi Jinping announced during a joint conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest, Bloomberg reported May 9. 

China, Hungary: Xi and Orban Announce New Investment in Hungary, Enhance Bilateral Relations

The U.S. Biden administration is scheduled to announce changes to Sec. 301 tariffs on China on May 14, including new tariffs on key industries such as electric vehicles, battery technologies and solar cells, Bloomberg reported on May 9.

China, U.S.: Washington To Place New Tariffs on China as Soon as May 14

On May 18, opposition lawmakers from Taiwan's conservative Kuomintang, or KMT, and centrist Taiwan People's Party, or TPP, will visit the Taiwan-administered Taiping Island in the South China Sea to inspect a new pier and observe coast guard drills, Focus Taiwan reported on May 9.

Taiwan, China: Opposition Parties To Visit Taiping Island, Aggravate Fringe National Security Issues

Angola

Angola reached a deal with the China Development Bank to release cash held as collateral in an escrow account to ensure the country can meet its interest repayments, Angolan Finance Minister Vera Daves de Sousa told the Financial Times on May 8. 

Angola: Government Reaches Deal With China Development Bank on Debt Interest Payments

The U.S. Commerce Department will hear testimony on whether to reclassify Vietnam as a "market economy" from its current designation as a "non-market economy with heavy state influence," Reuters reported on May 8.

Vietnam, U.S.: Commerce Department to Review Vietnam’s ‘Non-Market Economy’ Status 

China's industry ministry released new draft guidelines for the electric vehicle battery industry that will "Guide enterprises to reduce manufacturing projects that simply expand production capacity," as well as "strengthen technological innovation, improve product quality, and reduce production costs," Bloomberg reported on May 8. 

China: EV Battery Guidelines To Address Quality, Not Western Overcapacity, Concerns

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Malaysia, U.S., Iran: Kuala Lumpur Refuses Washington's Request To Abide by Iran Sanctions

Philippines, China: Philippine National Security Advisor Calls for Expulsion of Chinese Diplomats

China, Hungary: Xi and Orban Announce New Investment in Hungary, Enhance Bilateral Relations

China, U.S.: Washington To Place New Tariffs on China as Soon as May 14

Taiwan, China: Opposition Parties To Visit Taiping Island, Aggravate Fringe National Security Issues

Angola: Government Reaches Deal With China Development Bank on Debt Interest Payments

Vietnam, U.S.: Commerce Department to Review Vietnam’s ‘Non-Market Economy’ Status

China: EV Battery Guidelines To Address Quality, Not Western Overcapacity, Concerns

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