<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

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Thailand

Tonga

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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

Assessments

United States

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) answers questions during a plenary session of the House of Representatives at Parliament on March 26 in Tokyo. Poor ties with China under Japan's new premier portend industrial disruptions in Japan, and supply chain and defense cooperation with regional partners like South Korea and the United States.

Military & Security

Politics

Poor ties with China under Japan's new premier portend industrial disruptions in Japan, and supply chain and defense cooperation with regional partners like South Korea and the United States.

A New Leader in Japan and an Old Feud With China

Newly elected opposition Kuomintang (KMT) leader Cheng Li-wun delivers a speech in Taipei on Nov. 1, 2025. 

The KMT's diplomatic outreach to Beijing may yield modest economic gains, but it will also hurt the party's electoral prospects, which could paradoxically raise the risk of military conflict in the coming years.

The Taiwanese Opposition's Plan To Revive Talks With China Will Likely Backfire

Americas

This photo, taken in Lima in November 2024, shows Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte attending the inauguration ceremony for the Chinese-built and operated "megaport" in the small Peruvian town of Chancay.

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

As Washington formalizes a new hemispheric doctrine centered on security and supply chain dominance, regional governments face mounting pressure to align their defense and economic policies with U.S. geopolitical interests.

How the U.S.'s Anti-China Strategy for Latin America Could Unfold

U.S.-China Relations

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Middle East and North Africa

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The Geopolitics of Natural Resources

Energy

As competition for natural resources and critical raw materials intensifies, companies -- not just countries -- must be more mindful of risks in their physical supply chains.

The Geopolitics of Natural Resources: An Introduction

Cyber

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The second quarter will test global resilience as lingering conflicts and energy shocks converge to heighten economic uncertainty and geopolitical volatility.

2026 Second-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Cuba

Iran

Israel

Russia

People on March 15 in Tehran, Iran, clean up rubble from a missile attack. The Iran war will almost certainly continue through the next week amid Israeli threats to escalate and expand strikes due to Iranian attacks targeting Israeli civilians and the U.S. deployment of additional military assets to the region.

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

The Weekly Rundown: The Iran War Continues, a European Parliament Delegation Visits China

U.S.-Iran Relations

Media

Podcasts

How will the trajectory of China-U.S. trade conversations change in light of conflict in the Middle East?

The Decision Advantage: The Impact of the Iran War on the Asia-Pacific Region

The Geopolitics of Demographics

Geopolitics of Demographics

While far from deterministic, demographics plays a key role in influencing a country's domestic and international politics, as well as its economic and financial development.

The Geopolitics of Demographics: Politics and Economics

A man fills up his truck at a Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) station in Kuching, Malaysia, on June 20, 2025.

While fuel subsidies have so far cushioned the impact, if the Iran-related energy disruptions persist, the government may have to sacrifice economic reforms to preserve political support before the next election.

Malaysia's Ballooning Fuel Subsidy Costs Will Test the Government's Reform Agenda

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addresses a news conference at the Prime Minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 18.

Global Trade

The Japanese prime minister may offer economic and security concessions during her upcoming summit with the U.S. president to avoid direct entanglement in the Iran conflict while preserving the relationship with Washington.

Iran War Heightens Stakes of Key Takaichi-Trump Summit

United Kingdom

In two separate presidential proclamations signed April 2, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered changes to U.S. steel, copper and aluminum tariffs that would simplify the regime for low metal content goods and authorized new tariffs of up to 100% on certain imported pharmaceuticals.

U.S.: Trump Orders Changes to Steel, Copper and Aluminum Tariff Regime, Authorizes New Pharmaceutical Tariffs

New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a defense and security declaration, reaffirming New Zealand as the Cook Islands' primary security partner, Bloomberg reported April 2.

New Zealand, Cook Islands: Countries Sign Defense and Security Declaration

The new Thai government under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said it will unilaterally cancel its 2001 maritime boundary memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cambodia, the Bangkok Post reported April 2.

Thailand, Cambodia: Bangkok To Unilaterally Scrap Maritime Boundary Deal

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had decided to dispatch Japan's navy to the Strait of Hormuz to join a U.S.-led escort mission, until close advisor Imai Takaya dissuaded her from doing so prior to her March 18-20 trip to Washington, according to Japanese tabloid Sentaku's April issue.

Japan: Takaichi Nearly Dispatched Navy to Strait of Hormuz, Sentaku Claims

Democratic Republic of the Congo

U.S. mining company Virtus Minerals acquired copper and cobalt mining company Chemaf, which operates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, after securing approval from Congolese authorities, The Wall Street Journal reported on March 31.

Congo: U.S. Company Takes Over Cobalt and Copper Producer

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto upgraded ties to a special comprehensive strategic partnership and entered into new agreements to deepen cooperation across critical minerals, clean energy, technology and defense, Yonhap News Agency reported on April 1.

South Korea, Indonesia: Seoul, Jakarta Upgrade Ties and Deepen Defense Industrial and Supply Chain Integration

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asserted in a Cabinet meeting on March 31 that the country requires "detailed emergency measures" to deal with difficulties arising from heavy reliance on Middle Eastern oil, adding that the constitution allowed him to issue an emergency decree, if necessary.

South Korea: Lee Considers Rare Emergency Decree To Address Energy Crisis

Canberra is in discussions with key buyers of its liquefied natural gas exports, namely Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia, to ensure that these partners prioritize Australia when shipping refined fuel products -- including petrol, diesel and jet fuel -- as regional shortages emerge, Bloomberg reported on March 31.

Australia: Canberra Seeks To Leverage LNG for Refined Fuel

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S.: Trump Orders Changes to Steel, Copper and Aluminum Tariff Regime, Authorizes New Pharmaceutical Tariffs

New Zealand, Cook Islands: Countries Sign Defense and Security Declaration

Thailand, Cambodia: Bangkok To Unilaterally Scrap Maritime Boundary Deal

Japan: Takaichi Nearly Dispatched Navy to Strait of Hormuz, Sentaku Claims

Congo: U.S. Company Takes Over Cobalt and Copper Producer

South Korea, Indonesia: Seoul, Jakarta Upgrade Ties and Deepen Defense Industrial and Supply Chain Integration

South Korea: Lee Considers Rare Emergency Decree To Address Energy Crisis

Australia: Canberra Seeks To Leverage LNG for Refined Fuel

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