<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. 

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Beyond Quantitative Easing

The New Silk Road

Modernizing China’s Military

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

Globalization

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Coping With a Nuclear North Korea

Moscow Looks to the East

China in Transition

A Japanese Awakening

Asia-Pacific: Among Great Powers

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Politics

What forces are at play in shaping South Korea's strategic geopolitical relationships?

Applied Geopolitics: South Korea's Response to Shifting Geopolitical Balances 

Economics

Why is Beijing cracking down on foreign businesses?

Essential Geopolitics: Beijing's Campaign Against U.S. Firms 

U.S.-China Relations

Assessments

Europe

The offices of U.S. semiconductor manufacturer Micron in Shanghai, China, are seen on May 22, 2023.

Environment, Science & Technology

Military & Security

The partial ban on the U.S. firm's memory chips signals Beijing's willingness to use disruptive legal tools in the name of national security against Western companies amid the growing tech standoff.

By Banning U.S. Chipmaker Micron, China Hits Back at Western Tech Restrictions

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Greece

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C), Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (R) and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev hold talks Oct. 31, 2022, in Sochi, Russia.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Armenia's and Azerbaijan's Leaders Meet in Moscow, an APEC Summit in Detroit

Then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (center left) walks alongside Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen after arriving at the president's office in Taipei on Aug. 3, 2022. 

The U.S., Japan and Europe's growing political support for Taiwan has the potential to accelerate China's military and economic coercive efforts and further decouple global supply chains.

The Evolving Taiwan-China Relationship, Part 4: Diplomatic Relations

What's driving the reinvigorated U.S.-Philippines alliance?

Essential Geopolitics: The Impact of Deepened U.S.-Philippines Relations on U.S.-China Tensions

How will China respond to U.S. tech restrictions?

Essential Geopolitics: China's Response to Tech Restrictions by the U.S. and Allies

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On Geopolitics

Norway

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (3rd from right), Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store (4th from left) and members of their delegations meet in Oslo, Norway, on May 12, 2023. 

As the Arctic Council leadership transfers from Russia to Norway, China is positioning itself to play a greater role in Arctic matters.

In the Arctic, Russia's Geopolitical Isolation Opens New Doors for China

Snapshots

A car with members of Thailand's opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), including leader Pita Limjaroenrat, drives through a large crowd of supporters during a rally in Bangkok on May 15, 2023, following the MFP's victory in the general election. 

As expected, Thailand's two main opposition parties dominated the May 14 general election. But the military establishment will seek to leverage its institutional controls to retain power.

Despite Their Electoral Victory, Thai Opposition Parties Will Struggle To Form a Government

Turkey

Ukraine

Supporters of AKP and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 12, 2023, in Istanbul.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: A G-7 Summit in Japan, Significant Elections in Turkey

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo met with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Washington, where they discussed China's recent treatment of U.S. companies and U.S. economic restrictions on China, Reuters reported on May 25.

U.S., China: Commerce Officials Trade Concerns, Next U.S. Restrictions Will Test Talks

South Korea will reportedly send hundreds of thousands of unitary artillery rounds to the United States, which will then send them to Ukraine, according to The Wall Street Journal on May 25.

South Korea: Seoul Reportedly to Send Munitions to Ukraine via U.S.

Cyber

One of the largest observed cyberespionage campaigns by Chinese threat actors dubbed "Volt Typhoon" targeted a broad array of critical infrastructure in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and the U.S. territory of Guam, according to a May 25 report by Microsoft.

China, U.S.: Widespread Cyberespionage Campaign Targets U.S. Critical Infrastructure

China expanded its use of a government website for registering religious workers to include all state-approved religions, including Catholic, Protestant and Islamic workers, the South China Morning Post reported on May 24.

China: Treatment of Religion Escalates Trade-Off Between Regime Security and Global Image

Indonesian export bans on unprocessed tin, copper and bauxite are set to go into effect on June 10, Nikkei Asia reported on May 23.

Indonesia: Deadline for Critical Minerals Export Bans Nears

The Japanese government formally announced that it would add 23 semiconductor-related products to its export control list in March and require exports of those goods to receive a special license in July, Nikkei Asia reported on May 23.

Japan: Semiconductor Export Restrictions to Come Into Force in July

Angola

The White House is considering a $250 million financing package for the Lobito Atlantic Railway Corridor, according to the Group of Seven's updated Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment plan, the China Global South Project reported on May 22.

Angola: White House Considers Investment in Lobito Rail Corridor

U.S.-Iran Relations

South Korea and the European Union released a joint statement agreeing on the North Korean nuclear threat, condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and agreeing to secure supply chains in key sectors, Yonhap News Agency reported on May 22.

South Korea, EU: Joint Statement Continues Seoul's Westward Lean

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., China: Commerce Officials Trade Concerns, Next U.S. Restrictions Will Test Talks

South Korea: Seoul Reportedly to Send Munitions to Ukraine via U.S.

China, U.S.: Widespread Cyberespionage Campaign Targets U.S. Critical Infrastructure

China: Treatment of Religion Escalates Trade-Off Between Regime Security and Global Image

Indonesia: Deadline for Critical Minerals Export Bans Nears

Japan: Semiconductor Export Restrictions to Come Into Force in July

Angola: White House Considers Investment in Lobito Rail Corridor

South Korea, EU: Joint Statement Continues Seoul's Westward Lean

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