<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

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Malaysia

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Thailand

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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

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Iran

Israel

Lebanon

Europe

France

United Kingdom

Ukraine

Russia

ASEAN leaders hold hands for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the 48th ASEAN summit in Cebu, central Philippines on May 8, 2026. 

Economics

Military & Security

Politics

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

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Iran Tensions Remain High, ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meet With Myanmar

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) and Fiji Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, Ro Filipe Tuisawau (right) shake hands during the opening of the Vuvale Skills hub in Suva on July 6, 2026.

Australia's new pacts with Fiji and Vanuatu will strengthen barriers to Chinese military access, but persistent regional development needs and China's ability to project power without local basing will still provide space for Beijing to build influence.

Australia's Pacific Pacts Strengthen, but Don't Secure, Its Strategic Position Against China

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

South Asia

A thermometer reading a high temperature is shown over an image of Earth.

Environment, Science & Technology

The compounding effects of the weather event and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz are set to drive global inflation and strain agricultural output well into next year.


How the 2026 El Nino Climate Event Will Affect the Global Economy and Security

The NATO headquarters is seen in Brussels, Belgium.

The Weekly Rundown: Turkey Hosts NATO Summit, Iran Buries Slain Supreme Leader

U.S.-Iran Relations

Columns

On Geopolitics

Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) and Premier Li Qiang attend a plenary session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People on March 9, 2026, in Beijing, China.

Beijing will prioritize employment and social stability over rapid economic growth in the coming years, pressuring businesses to boost hiring and expand benefits amid demographic pressures, rising youth unemployment and AI-related job disruptions.

China Plans To Stabilize Employment in an Age of Change

Computer chips are seen on top of the U.S. and Chinese flags.

The Trump administration's recent shift to a more restrictive, ad-hoc licensing regime for frontier AI models risks slowing U.S. innovation and giving Chinese rivals a competitive advantage.

From Laissez-Faire to Licensing: Understanding Trump's Evolving AI Strategy

U.S.-China Relations

Middle East and North Africa

Eurasia

Cyber

Energy

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

A fragile truce in the Middle East, persistent energy-driven inflation, shifting U.S. trade policy and escalating regional pressures from Europe to Africa will collectively shape geopolitical risk in the third quarter.

2026 Third-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Canada

Mexico

India

Cargo ships June 19 off the coast of the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal in Sharjah emirate, along the Gulf of Oman.

The Weekly Rundown: Japan's Takaichi Goes to India, an Unsteady U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

Colombia

Venezuela

Abelardo de la Espriella, who has since been declared president-elect, waves to supporters after casting his vote during the runoff election on June 21, 2026, in Barranquilla, Colombia. 

De la Espriella's administration will reverse many of the outgoing government's security, economic and social policies, restoring a hard-line anti-crime approach and deepening ties with the United States.

What de la Espriella's Victory Means for Colombia

Snapshots

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (left) and his wife disembark from the plane at Geneva Airport as they arrive to attend the G7 summit on June 16, 2026.

Lee's handling of the scandal and the resulting backlash could strengthen the conservative opposition and strain relations with the U.S. and Japan, but it could also facilitate closer ties with China.

Ballot Scandal Tests South Korean President Lee's Political, Foreign Policy Goals

The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology launched the Long March 10B rocket -- a space launch vehicle comparable to U.S. company SpaceX's Falcon 9 -- and recovered the first stage of the system using a giant net on a sea-based floating platform, Space reported on July 10.

China: China Successfully Recovers Orbital Booster for the First Time

During a visit to Melbourne, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured an agreement under which Australia will sell uranium to India for civilian power generation, Bloomberg reported on July 9. 

India, Australia: Australia Signs Uranium Export Agreement With India

After Typhoon Maysak killed dozens of people in China's Gansu and Hubei provinces the week of July 6, Typhoon Bavi -- expected to be upgraded to a super typhoon -- will make landfall in China on July 11, Reuters reported on July 8.

China: Super Typhoon Bavi Bears Down on Industrialized East Coast

The ruling and opposition parties in Japan's lower house of the Diet agreed to put the issue of amending the Imperial Household Law to a plenary vote on July 10, breaking a two-week impasse in both houses of the Diet, Kyodo News reported on July 8. 

Japan: Takaichi Defuses Diet Impasses, Revives Economic and Defense Plans

India and Indonesia advanced defense ties as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta and signed agreements for Indonesia to acquire BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Bloomberg reported on July 7. 

India, Indonesia: Governments Deepen Defense and Economic Cooperation

Chinese officials have held meetings with domestic artificial intelligence companies to discuss potential export restrictions and/or licensing requirements for frontier and other advanced AI models, potentially including both closed-weight and open-weight models, Reuters reported on July 7.

China: Beijing Explores Potential Export Restrictions on Advanced AI Models

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, for the first stop on his tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, The Times of India reported on July 6.

India: Modi Begins Tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand

Philippine Sen. Rodante Marcoleta was arrested on a nonbailable plunder charge over allegations that he accepted $1.2 million in undeclared donations, Reuters reported on July 6.

Philippines: Another Duterte Ally Arrested as Impeachment Trial Begins

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

China: China Successfully Recovers Orbital Booster for the First Time

India, Australia: Australia Signs Uranium Export Agreement With India

China: Super Typhoon Bavi Bears Down on Industrialized East Coast

Japan: Takaichi Defuses Diet Impasses, Revives Economic and Defense Plans

India, Indonesia: Governments Deepen Defense and Economic Cooperation

China: Beijing Explores Potential Export Restrictions on Advanced AI Models

India: Modi Begins Tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand

Philippines: Another Duterte Ally Arrested as Impeachment Trial Begins

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