<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

Snapshots

India

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

Economics

Military & Security

Politics

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

Assessments

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

United States

Iran

Germany

France

United Kingdom

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

Energy

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

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

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Canada

Paraguay

Uruguay

Venezuela

Lebanon

United Arab Emirates

Europe

The Geopolitics of Trade

Global Trade

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

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Russia

An aerial view shows a campaign poster of Bolivian presidential candidate Samuel Doria Medina and his supporters marching during a rally in La Paz, Bolivia, on Aug. 12, 2025.

The Weekly Rundown: Bolivian Elections, a Controversial Israeli Settlement Plan 

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (left) speaks next to leaders of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) during a press conference at the LDP's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 28, 2024. 

Following recent setbacks, the powerful party will evolve to ensure it stays relevant on key policy issues and resists dissolution, but it may emerge as a first among equals rather than as Japan's undisputed leader.

The LDP, Japan's Political Leviathan, Faces Another Reckoning

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the "Winning the AI Race" summit hosted by All‑In Podcast and Hill & Valley Forum at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on July 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C. 

Environment, Science & Technology

Relaxed U.S. export controls on key semiconductors will enable Chinese companies to accelerate their advancement of AI-focused chips.

How U.S. Export Concessions Could Boost China's AI Ambitions

U.S.-China Relations

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) looks at Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Nov. 30, 2018, during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet in the coming days.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: A Trump-Putin Summit, the Deadline for a U.S.-China Tariff Pause

A 3D modeled town in the shape of the Chinese flag.

Trade tensions will exacerbate China's excess savings problems, but the economic situation will remain manageable

Beijing Grapples With Deflation, Overinvestment as Tariff Pressures Mount

Poland

Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Oval Office of the White House on July 22, 2025. 

The Weekly Rundown: Last-Minute U.S. Trade Talks, a New Polish President

Tens of thousands of workers and students staged mass protests in Indonesia's capital Jakarta and 38 other cities, demanding higher wages, tax relief, stronger anti-corruption measures and parliament's resignation, among other things, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 28.

Indonesia: Protests Occur in 39 Cities

Chinese coast guard vessels intercepted Philippine ships attempting to resupply a small contingent of marines stationed aboard the grounded BRP Sierra Madre at the Second Thomas Shoal, while also deploying a heavy tugboat likely intended to signal an ability to remove the vessel, the South China Morning Post reported on Aug. 28.

Philippines, China, Taiwan: Tensions Converge in South China Sea and Cross-Strait Arenas

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters that trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa cancelled a planned trip to Washington, "because it became apparent that certain points [of the trade deal] required further technical discussion," adding that discussions would continue "at the administrative level," CNBC reported Aug. 28.

Japan, U.S.: Japan Envoy Cancels U.S. Trip as Trade Deal Details Remain Unclear

Mexico

Mexico is set to raise tariffs on cars, textiles and plastics from China and other Asian countries to shield its businesses from cheap imports and appease the United States, Bloomberg reported Aug. 27.

Mexico, China, U.S.: Mexico To Impose Tariffs on Chinese Imports in Bid To Curry Favor With Washington

On Sept. 2, Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, or LDP, will begin procedures for a vote on whether to hold an early election for the party's president, a post currently held by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Jiji Press reported on Aug. 27.

Japan: Vote on Prime Minister's Fate Could Supercharge Nationalism, Spending

Chinese trade envoy Li Chenggang will travel to the United States the week of Aug. 25 for deputy-level talks with U.S. officials at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Treasury Department, according to Reuters on Aug. 26.

China, U.S.: Chinese Trade Envoy To Hold Deputy-Level Talks in Washington

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Aug. 25 on Fox News that the United States and Japan would release further details of their trade deal later that week, The New York Times reported on Aug. 26.

U.S., Japan: Lutnick Says Trade Deal Details Imminent, But Problems Remain

Australia expelled Iran's ambassador and three other senior diplomats and designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization after the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) determined that Tehran orchestrated at least two arson attacks targeting the Jewish community in Sydney and Melbourne in late 2024, The Australian Financial Review reported Aug. 26.

Australia, Iran: Canberra Expels Iranian Ambassador Over Alleged Links to Antisemitic Attacks

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Indonesia: Protests Occur in 39 Cities

Philippines, China, Taiwan: Tensions Converge in South China Sea and Cross-Strait Arenas

Japan, U.S.: Japan Envoy Cancels U.S. Trip as Trade Deal Details Remain Unclear

Mexico, China, U.S.: Mexico To Impose Tariffs on Chinese Imports in Bid To Curry Favor With Washington

Japan: Vote on Prime Minister's Fate Could Supercharge Nationalism, Spending

China, U.S.: Chinese Trade Envoy To Hold Deputy-Level Talks in Washington

U.S., Japan: Lutnick Says Trade Deal Details Imminent, But Problems Remain

Australia, Iran: Canberra Expels Iranian Ambassador Over Alleged Links to Antisemitic Attacks

Forecasts

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