<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

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Indonesia

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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

United States

Uzbekistan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Kazakhstan

Russia

Kyrgyzstan

U.S. President Donald Trump (C), joined by lawmakers and members of his administration, delivers remarks during a dinner with leaders of Central Asian countries in the East Room of the White House on Nov. 6, 2025.

Economics

Energy

Politics

The recent C5+1 summit highlighted the U.S.'s desire to boost cooperation with Central Asian countries on trade and critical minerals, but the region's geography, governance and reliance on China and Russia will ultimately limit the impact of such efforts. 

The Promise and Limits of Increased U.S. Engagement in Central Asia

Brazil

Iraq

Syria

Campaign posters Nov. 6 ahead of Nov. 11 Iraqi parliamentary elections in central Baghdad.

Environment, Science & Technology

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

The Weekly Rundown: Iraqi Elections, a U.S.-China Deal Enters Effect

U.S.-China Relations

South Sudan

Burundi

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ethiopia

Kenya

Malawi

Mozambique

Rwanda

Tanzania

Uganda

Zambia

Europe

The Geopolitics of Trade

Global Trade

Over the next decade, Kenya and Tanzania will compete for the title of East Africa's leading trade gateway, particularly as global demand for Central Africa's critical minerals grows. 

The Geopolitics of Trade: The Race to Unlock East Africa, Part 1 

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a photo session for participants of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 on Sept. 1, 2025, in Tianjin, China.

Military & Security

The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) outlines Beijing's intent to continue current economic policies, pursue new industrial priorities, further securitize Chinese society, escalate Xi's anti-corruption campaign, and use lawfare to fend off foreign trade disputes.

President Xi Lays Out China's Plans for the Next Five Years

Snapshots

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and China's President Xi Jinping leave after their talks at the Gimhae Air Base, in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025. 

The framework deal favors China by boosting its export competitiveness, but future escalations with the U.S. are likely over the coming year due to differing interpretations of the new measures and ongoing trade tensions.

China Secures Favorable U.S. Trade Deal, New Escalations Still Likely

U.S. President Donald Trump (center) poses for a group photo with the leaders of (L-R) Singapore, East Timor, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia and Laos during the ASEAN leaders summit on Oct. 26, 2025. 

The summit highlighted the Southeast Asian bloc's attempts to boost internal unity and economic integration amid the U.S.-China rivalry, but it also exposed structural divides and external pressures that hinder unified action and leave ASEAN states vulnerable to coercion.

The Takeaways From the 2025 ASEAN Summit

Columns

On Security

Madagascar

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Jordan

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Bangladesh

Nepal

Fire rages through the Singha Durbar, the main administrative building for the Nepal government, in Kathmandu on Sept. 9, 2025, after youth protesters set fire to the building. 

Recent events in Nepal, Madagascar and elsewhere show how digitally coordinated, leaderless protests can succeed, but eventually face even larger challenges in sustaining the momentum for change.

Worldwide Gen Z Protesters May Be Disappointed With Their Success

On Geopolitics

Germany

Slovakia

Hungary

Ukraine

European Council President Antonio Costa and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrive for a meeting of the European Council on Oct. 23. The EU pursuit of geopolitical independence is being severely tested by Russia's direct security aggression, China's control over critical raw materials and competing economic pressures from the United States.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The EU pursuit of geopolitical independence is being severely tested by Russia's direct security aggression, China's control over critical raw materials and competing economic pressures from the United States.

Europe's Dual Challenge From China and Russia

Cameroon

Cote d'Ivoire

Argentina

Netherlands

Supporters of Argentine President Javier Milei's Liberty Advances (LLA) party wave flags during a campaign rally in Rosario, Argentina, on Oct. 23, 2025.

The Weekly Rundown: Argentina Holds Midterm Elections, Trump Travels to Asia

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) and U.S. President Donald Trump speak to reporters during a bilateral meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Oct. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. 

Trump and Albanese agreed to tighten defense and supply chain integration as a way to reduce their countries' reliance on China, but industrial bottlenecks mean implementation will be slow.

U.S.-Australia Leadership Summit Yields Critical Minerals Pact, AUKUS Reaffirmation

Guinea

Guinean junta leader Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya inaugurated the start of iron ore exports from the country's $23 billion Simandou mine at the port of Morebaya, Radio France Internationale reported on Nov. 11.

Guinea: Authorities Inaugurate the Start of Iron Ore Exports From $23B Simandou Mine 

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament on Nov. 7 that a Chinese blockade of Taiwan would "threaten Japan's survival," a term allowing the deployment of Japan's military, and Chinese consul general in Osaka Xue Jian responded by sharing an article about her comment on X on Nov. 8 and stating, "the dirty neck that sticks itself in must be cut off."

Japan, China: Dueling Comments About Taiwan Show Straining Ties

China's commerce ministry announced on Nov. 9 that it had suspended for one year its December 2024 decision to ban exports of germanium, gallium, graphite, tungsten and antimony to the United States, though these exports are still subject to an export licensing regime.

China: U.S. Minerals Export Ban Paused, Fentanyl Precursor Exports Curbed

Thailand announced it is suspending the implementation of its Oct. 26 peace accord with Cambodia following a landmine explosion that injured four Thai soldiers along the Sisaket border, the Bangkok Post reported on Nov. 10.

Thailand, Cambodia: Bangkok Suspends Peace Plan Implementation

Indonesia awarded the "national hero" title posthumously to former President Suharto in a palace ceremony presided over by President Prabowo Subianto, the Jakarta Globe reported on Nov. 10.

Indonesia: Ex-Dictator Suharto Named National Hero

An official from South Korea's Office of the President said the country plans to build its first nuclear-powered submarine domestically with enriched uranium from the United States, Reuters reported on Nov. 7. 

South Korea, U.S.: Seoul Claims Nuclear Submarine Will Be Built Domestically

China accepted a shipment of Japanese scallops, marking the first instance of China importing Japanese seafood since Beijing banned these goods in August 2023, Jiemian reported on Nov. 7.

China, Japan: China Resumes Japanese Seafood Imports in Sign of Temporary Truce

The CEO of German car parts supplier AUMOVIO said shipments of chips from Dutch-headquartered semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia's China unit have resumed and that the company received an exemption from Chinese export controls, the Financial Times reported on Nov. 7.

EU, China: Nexperia Chip Exports Pave Way for Netherlands To Relinquish Control of Dutch Chipmaker

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Guinea: Authorities Inaugurate the Start of Iron Ore Exports From $23B Simandou Mine

Japan, China: Dueling Comments About Taiwan Show Straining Ties

China: U.S. Minerals Export Ban Paused, Fentanyl Precursor Exports Curbed

Thailand, Cambodia: Bangkok Suspends Peace Plan Implementation

Indonesia: Ex-Dictator Suharto Named National Hero

South Korea, U.S.: Seoul Claims Nuclear Submarine Will Be Built Domestically

China, Japan: China Resumes Japanese Seafood Imports in Sign of Temporary Truce

EU, China: Nexperia Chip Exports Pave Way for Netherlands To Relinquish Control of Dutch Chipmaker

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