<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

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North Korea

Palau

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

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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

Police personnel arrive outside the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay, Metro Manila, on May 13, 2026.

Military & Security

Politics

Intensifying Marcos-Duterte tensions, fueled by the vice president's impeachment and the ICC's attempted arrest of a Duterte-aligned senator, are testing Philippine institutions and threatening policy gridlock before the 2028 presidential race.

The Escalating Marcos-Duterte Feud Threatens Philippine Institutions

Assessments

United States

Iran

Israel

Lebanon

Armenia

Kazakhstan

Russia

India

A cargo ship anchored May 16 in the Strait of Hormuz near Larak Island, Iran. Major gaps in negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program persist, and the U.S.-Iran ceasefire will remain fragile over the next week.

Economics

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

The Weekly Rundown: Rubio Visits India, a Fragile U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

U.S.-Iran Relations

The Japanese flag flies outside the Bank of Japan (BoJ) headquarters in central Tokyo on March 19, 2024. 

Monetary tightening will increase government interest payments and fiscal deficits, but the impact on debt dynamics and defense spending will remain manageable, provided the central bank avoids large-scale government bond sales.

How Will Rising Interest Rates Impact Japan's Debt Outlook?

Mexico

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sept. 3, 2025, in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

The Weekly Rundown: Elevated Tensions in the Middle East, Putin Heads to Beijing

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026.

Despite a mutual desire to stabilize relations, Xi and Trump's meetings produced few tangible results, sustaining the risk of future tariff escalations, export restrictions and other coercive measures.

Xi-Trump Talks Fail To Move the Needle on Major Issues

U.S.-China Relations

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a bilateral meeting in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025.

Environment, Science & Technology

The May 14-15 meetings will likely yield a limited extension of the current U.S.-China economic detente while leaving core strategic disputes over technology controls, Taiwan and Iran largely unresolved.

Trump-Xi Summit Likely To Preserve Trade Truce, Test Strategic Fault Lines

Kenya

France

United Kingdom

Boats on April 28, 2026 on Qeshm Island, Iran, in the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions between the United States and Iran will remain elevated, especially around the strait, following the May 7 U.S.-Iran exchange of attacks and Iranian attacks against the United Arab Emirates.

The Weekly Rundown: Elevated Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, France Convenes an Africa Summit

An oil products tanker at Muscat Anchorage on March 21, 2026 at Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman. 

The Weekly Rundown: U.K. Elections, Iran War Resumption Risk

A Chinese vessel participates in oil exploration.

Energy

While China has so far fared well, persistent Strait of Hormuz disruptions would test its oil reserves and drive more defensive policies to secure growth, energy and export competitiveness.

Time Will Test China's Economic Resilience Against Iran War Shocks

Europe

Employees walk at the construction site of a gas metering station, part of the pipeline link between Bulgaria and Greece near the village of Malko Kadievo, on March 18, 2022. 

The Weekly Rundown: No U.S.-Iran Breakthrough, EU Ban on Spot Market Russian LNG

The Philippine Senate failed to open its June 1 session after recent events reduced the 13-member majority bloc to 11 senators, prompting the bloc -- which also includes the Senate president -- to skip the session rather than risk losing control of the floor, Bloomberg reported the next day. 

Philippines: Senate Dysfunction Leads to Paralysis

During the second India-Australia Defense Ministers' Dialogue, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles reviewed advancements in bilateral maritime defense cooperation since launching the dialogue in October 2025, The Economic Times reported on June 1.

India, Australia: Governments Agree To Finalize Defense and Maritime Agreements

The U.S. Trade Representative launched a Section 301 investigation into Vietnam's intellectual property protection and enforcement practices, Reuters reported on May 29.

Vietnam, U.S.: IP Probe Adds New Pressure to Trade Talks

Cyber

The Philippines and Vietnam upgraded ties to an enhanced strategic partnership during Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary and President To Lam's May 31-June 1 state visit to Manila, Reuters reported on June 1.

Philippines, Vietnam: Manila, Hanoi Upgrade Ties Amid South China Sea Pressure

The United States, the United Kingdom and Australia announced that they will jointly develop uncrewed undersea vehicles, or UUVs, marking the first project under Pillar II of their 2021 AUKUS pact, with deliveries set to begin in 2027, Politico reported on June 1.

Australia, U.S., U.K.: AUKUS Partners Announce Undersea Drone Project

European commissioners met to discuss measures aimed at shielding EU industries from a surge in subsidized Chinese imports and securing alternative supplies of critical minerals and key inputs to reduce reliance on Beijing, the European Commission said in a May 29 statement.

EU, China: European Commissioners Weigh Tougher Trade Defenses Against China

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is facing growing pressure from both high-profile and rank-and-file defections within his People's Justice Party (PKR), with roughly 6,000 former PKR members in recent weeks applying to join a newly revamped Bersama party led by former economy minister Rafizi Ramli, Reuters reported May 29.

Malaysia: Prime Minister Weighing Snap Elections as Pressures Mount

Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to Astana on May 27-28 produced a joint declaration on the "seven foundations" of friendship and good-neighborliness between Kazakhstan and Russia and a package of bilateral agreements, including accords on a $16.5 billion nuclear power plant and Russian export-credit financing for 85% of the project, Qazinform reported on May 28.

Kazakhstan, Russia: Putin Visit Highlights Kazakh Export Risks Despite Bilateral Pageantry

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Philippines: Senate Dysfunction Leads to Paralysis

India, Australia: Governments Agree To Finalize Defense and Maritime Agreements

Vietnam, U.S.: IP Probe Adds New Pressure to Trade Talks

Philippines, Vietnam: Manila, Hanoi Upgrade Ties Amid South China Sea Pressure

Australia, U.S., U.K.: AUKUS Partners Announce Undersea Drone Project

EU, China: European Commissioners Weigh Tougher Trade Defenses Against China

Malaysia: Prime Minister Weighing Snap Elections as Pressures Mount

Kazakhstan, Russia: Putin Visit Highlights Kazakh Export Risks Despite Bilateral Pageantry

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