<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

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Myanmar

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North Korea

Palau

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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

Assessments

United States

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

Economics

Politics

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

U.S.-China Relations

Poland

Ukraine

Russia

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. 

Global Trade

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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

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

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (center) speaks during a press conference next to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (left) and Thailand's acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai (right) in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on July 28, 2025. 

Military & Security

While the truce may hold in the short to medium term, unresolved disputes and political pressures sustain the risk of future clashes, with the next round likely to be even deadlier.

Gauging the Stability of the Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire

Snapshots

A voter leaves a booth during voting for the recall election at a polling station in Taipei, Taiwan, on July 26, 2025. 

Its victory in the recall votes will embolden the opposition KMT to press on with controversial reforms and defense spending cuts, but it will also help prevent a near-term escalation of cross-strait tensions.

A Failed Recall Emboldens Taiwan's Opposition

Canada

Mexico

Europe

A Cambodian soldier stands on a truck with a rocket launcher in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, which borders Thailand, on July 25, 2025. 

The Weekly Rundown: U.S. Tariff Deadline Passes, Thai-Cambodian Border Tensions Persist

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a luncheon at Parliament House in Canberra on June 17, 2024. 

The Australian prime minister's efforts to stabilize relations with Beijing will yield short-term economic benefits, but rising regional security concerns will ultimately limit long-term engagement.

The Challenges Facing Albanese's Bid to Reset China-Australia Relations

A ''Danger'' sign warns visitors about a fragile structure within the grounds of the Preah Vihear temple in Cambodia.

Border clashes will likely persist and could escalate if Cambodia later tries to seize disputed territory, but a full-scale war remains unlikely in the short term.

Deadly Clashes Sharply Escalate Thai-Cambodian Border Dispute

A photo taken on Feb. 21, 2025, shows Subaru vehicles bound for shipment at a port in Yokohama, Japan. 

The deal is a win for Japan's economy and its ruling party, but it may hasten Prime Minister Ishiba's exit. It will also help South Korea and Taiwan secure their own U.S. trade deals.

U.S. Trade Deal Is a Mixed Victory for Japan, a Template for Regional Partners

Egypt

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly (center right) meets with Chinese Premier Li Qiang (center left) in Cairo on July 10, 2025.

In the coming years, Egypt will deepen its economic ties with China via increased trade and investment, while simultaneously maintaining its military alliance with the U.S. to address regional security concerns.

Egypt Navigates Its Needs for Chinese Investment and U.S. Military Support

A worker positions a robotic underwater vehicle that can be remotely operated to harvest mineral deposits in the deep ocean, after conducting tests in a lake in Collingwood, Ontario, on May 1, 2025.

Environment, Science & Technology

Recent U.S. actions will likely accelerate commercial seabed mining operations in certain resource-rich waters around the world, despite international regulatory hurdles and ongoing environmental concerns.

Deep-Sea Mining: Opportunities, Risks and the Path to Commercial Extraction

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is expected to travel to the United States around Aug. 25 to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump over three to four days, the  Korean Broadcasting System reported on Aug. 7.

South Korea, U.S.: Summit Security Talks May Expose Rift in Alliance

Cambodia and Thailand agreed to deploy observers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to inspect their shared border and monitor the terms of their July 29 ceasefire, Reuters reported on Aug. 7.

Thailand, Cambodia: ASEAN Observers To Monitor Border Ceasefire

The contents of the joint South Korea-U.S. Ulchi Freedom Shield military drills, their largest annual joint drills scheduled for Aug. 18-28, will be curtailed, with around 40 field training exercises delayed until September, according to a spokesperson for the South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff on Aug. 7.

South Korea, U.S.: Adjusted Drills Risk Accelerating Thorny Defense Talks

The U.S. federal register released on Aug. 6 noted that the new 15% tariff on Japanese goods would come on top of existing tariffs for all Japanese imports, contrasting with Tokyo's understanding that Japanese exports to the United States with a preexisting tariff of 15% or higher would be exempted. 

Japan, U.S.: Trade Deal Uncertainty Endangers Ishiba and South Korea Deal

India

Pakistan

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China on Aug. 31 for the annual meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's Heads of Government Council, which will mark Modi's first visit to China since June 2018, Reuters reported on Aug. 6, citing an unidentified Indian government source.

India, China: India's Modi To Visit China for First Time in Over Seven Years

United Kingdom

Australia's Defense Ministry announced on Aug. 5 that Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries had won a contract worth upward of $6.5 billion to supply the Royal Australian Navy with 11 advanced frigates, marking Japan's first major export deal for warships.

Japan, Australia: Frigate Deal To Expedite Naval Buildouts, Integrate Japan Into Western Security Networks

The leader of Japan's main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, Yoshihiko Noda, noted on the last day of the post-election extraordinary Diet session on Aug. 1-5 that he would delay a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba until autumn, Jiji Press reported on Aug. 5.

Japan: No-Confidence Vote Delayed, But Conservatives Still Aim To Oust Ishiba

China's state-owned CCTV aired the latest episode in a five-part series on the People's Liberation Army, the South China Morning Post reported on Aug. 5.

China, Taiwan: State TV Shows 'Cold Start' Drill-to-Invasion Simulation

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

South Korea, U.S.: Summit Security Talks May Expose Rift in Alliance

Thailand, Cambodia: ASEAN Observers To Monitor Border Ceasefire

South Korea, U.S.: Adjusted Drills Risk Accelerating Thorny Defense Talks

Japan, U.S.: Trade Deal Uncertainty Endangers Ishiba and South Korea Deal

India, China: India's Modi To Visit China for First Time in Over Seven Years

Japan, Australia: Frigate Deal To Expedite Naval Buildouts, Integrate Japan Into Western Security Networks

Japan: No-Confidence Vote Delayed, But Conservatives Still Aim To Oust Ishiba

China, Taiwan: State TV Shows 'Cold Start' Drill-to-Invasion Simulation

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