<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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Nauru

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North Korea

Palau

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Philippines

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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

Iran

United Kingdom

India

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

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.K. Elections, Iran War Resumption Risk

U.S.-Iran Relations

A Chinese vessel participates in oil exploration.

Economics

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

Russia

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

A Chinese navy ship (background left) is seen while an Australian navy ship (right) takes part in a maritime cooperative activity with the Philippines and Canada in the disputed waters of the South China Sea on Sept. 3, 2025.

China, the Philippines and Vietnam's efforts to rebalance coercive activity with diplomatic engagement have temporarily lowered escalation risks, but persistent rivalries ensure long-term volatility.

In the South China Sea, Managed Tension Masks Long-Term Volatility

Canada

Peru

Israel

Lebanon

Hungary

A digital screen displaying news of U.S.-Iran peace talks April 10 in Islamabad. The United States and Iran are set to begin contentious talks April 11 in Islamabad, Pakistan, with disputes over the 10-point proposal as a framework for discussions and major gaps between U.S. and Iranian demands.

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Iran Talks, Hungarians Vote

Vietnamese Communist Party general secretary To Lam speaks during the opening session of the National Assembly in Hanoi on April 6, 2026.

The leadership consolidation points to a governing model focused on speed, discipline and execution, albeit with increased risks stemming from reduced internal debate and fewer institutional checks.

Vietnam's Lam Makes History by Assuming Dual Role of Party Leader and President

Media

Cuba

Mexico

Venezuela

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Forecast Webcast

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2026 Second-Quarter Geopolitical Forecast.

2026 Second-Quarter Forecast Webcast

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi answers questions at a legislative budget committee session in Tokyo on April 7, 2026, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) looks on. 

Japan's ability to sustain increased spending on defense and other strategic investments in the coming years will be constrained by sluggish economic growth, high government debt and a challenging geopolitical landscape.

Reviewing Japan's New Budget: Balancing Spending Hikes and Fiscal Reality

Columns

On Geopolitics

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Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Eurasia

South Asia

The Geopolitics of Demographics

Demographic decline, driven by falling fertility rates worldwide, is likely irreversible but will also increasingly differentiate countries based on their ability to adapt through sound immigration, labor, technological and fiscal policies.

Adapting to Demographic Decline: Policy Tradeoffs and Global Divergences

Snapshots

Afghanistan

Nepal

Pakistan

A freight train carrying cargo containers rides along a railway track in Ajmer, India, on Aug. 26, 2025.

Global Trade

New Delhi's decisions to permit specific imports and fast-track minority investments highlight its strategy of addressing critical manufacturing shortages, though relations are unlikely to extend beyond low-level confidence-building measures.

India Cautiously Opens up to Chinese Investment

Japan and Australia will prioritize and fast-track six critical minerals projects in Australia spanning rare earths, nickel, gallium and mineral sands-based rare earth extraction, Nikkei Asia reported on May 1. 

Japan, Australia: Critical Minerals Push Targets China Supply Risk

China threatened unspecified countermeasures against the European Union and relevant companies unless Brussels makes major changes to its proposed "buy European" industrial rules and revised cybersecurity rules, Reuters reported on April 29.

China, EU: Beijing Threatens Retaliation Over Brussels' Proposed Industrial, Cybersecurity Rules

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto launched 13 downstream projects worth $6.7 billion aimed at processing more of Indonesia's natural resources at home and reducing raw commodity exports, the Jakarta Globe reported April 29.

Indonesia: Country Deepens Resource Nationalism With New Projects

The Philippines House justice committee found probable cause to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte over allegations she misused public funds, accumulated unexplained wealth and threatened President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his relatives, the Philippine Star reported April 29.

Philippines: Congressional Committee Finds Probable Cause to Impeach Vice President

India and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement under which New Zealand will eliminate duties on all Indian goods, while India will reduce tariffs on 95% of imports from New Zealand, AP reported on April 27.

New Zealand, India: Governments Sign Free Trade Agreement

Hundreds of students and other civilians protested in Jayapura, Papua province, demanding that Indonesia withdraw military personnel from all six Papuan provinces after a recent military operation allegedly killed 15 people, including women and children, Reuters reported on April 27.

Indonesia: Papua Protest Highlights Grievances Against Military-First Approach

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned China's Hengli Petrochemical's Dalian refinery, accusing it of buying billions of dollars' worth of Iranian oil and thereby helping fund Iran's military, and roughly 40 shipping companies and vessels, according to an April 24 Treasury press release.

China, U.S.: Washington Hits Major Chinese Refiner Over Iranian Oil

U.S.-China Relations

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is considering dissolving parliament for a general election, well ahead of the early-2028 deadline, to seek a fresh mandate before potential fuel subsidy reductions force higher prices on consumers, Bloomberg reported on April 24.

Malaysia: Anwar Weighs Early Polls Before Fuel Subsidy Pain Hits

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Japan, Australia: Critical Minerals Push Targets China Supply Risk

China, EU: Beijing Threatens Retaliation Over Brussels' Proposed Industrial, Cybersecurity Rules

Indonesia: Country Deepens Resource Nationalism With New Projects

Philippines: Congressional Committee Finds Probable Cause to Impeach Vice President

New Zealand, India: Governments Sign Free Trade Agreement

Indonesia: Papua Protest Highlights Grievances Against Military-First Approach

China, U.S.: Washington Hits Major Chinese Refiner Over Iranian Oil

Malaysia: Anwar Weighs Early Polls Before Fuel Subsidy Pain Hits

Forecasts

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