<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. 

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Beyond Quantitative Easing

The New Silk Road

Modernizing China’s Military

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

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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

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A container ship arrives Oct. 10 at the Port of Oakland, California. In 2026, political calculations among major global players will significantly shape international affairs.

Cyber

Economics

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Environment, Science & Technology

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Military & Security

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In 2026, political calculations among major global players will significantly shape international affairs.

2026 Annual Forecast: A Global Overview

Uzbekistan

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Kazakhstan

Russia

Kyrgyzstan

Global Trade

Despite growing interest from Russia, China and Western powers, Central Asia will struggle to emerge as a true continental trade hub due to competing agendas, weak financing and coordination, and security and governance issues.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Central Asia's Struggle for Logistics Sovereignty

United States

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address before lawmakers at the House of Representatives on July 22, 2024 in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. 

A widespread corruption scandal is threatening to cause political instability in the Philippines, which could lead to policy paralysis and weaken the Philippines' posture against China.

A Corruption Scandal Threatens Political Crisis in the Philippines

A Thai soldier points out an area on a map near the Cambodian border during a press visit on Aug. 16, 2025, in Sisaket, Thailand. 

Renewed fighting along the border could surpass the July clashes in scale, and while U.S. pressure will likely compel both countries to return to the ceasefire, the risk of future flare-ups will remain high.

Latest Thailand-Cambodia Clashes Will Test U.S. Appetite for Intervention

Tanzania

Hong Kong SAR, China

Ukraine

Protesters help an injured demonstrator near burning barricades amid clashes in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Oct. 29, 2025. 

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

The Weekly Rundown: Unrest in Tanzania, an EU Summit in Ukraine

U.S.-China Relations

Columns

On Geopolitics

Taiwanese President William Lai (center), flanked by other top officials in his government, discusses plans to propose a $40 billion supplemental defense budget during a news conference in Taipei on Nov. 26, 2025.

The 2025 Taiwan National Defense Report reflects Taipei's growing intent and tactical capabilities for deterrence by denial against a Chinese invasion, but it also highlights persistent challenges that contribute to a continually rising risk of conflict through 2028.

Taiwan Report Highlights Evolving Security Orientation

Honduras

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Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their bilateral meeting during the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit.

The Weekly Rundown: Putin-Modi Meeting, Honduras General Election

While efforts by China and others to de-dollarize their international trade will fragment the international trade financing regime to some extent, they will do little to undermine the dollar's dominance.

The Geopolitics of Trade: De-dollarization and International Trade

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Banners bearing portraits of leaders of the G20 on Nov. 20 in Johannesburg. The South African government has focused the G20 summit's agenda on issues key to African countries.

The Weekly Rundown: A High-Stakes British Budget, South Africa Hosts the G20

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What is the outlook for Indonesia-Israel normalization, and what would that process look like?

Essential Geopolitics: Indonesia's Interest in Israel-Gaza

The U.S.-led U.N. Command objected to a bill proposed by South Korea's ruling Democratic Party earlier in 2025 that would give Seoul, rather that the U.N. Command, control of nonmilitary access to the inter-Korean demilitarized zone, Yonhap News Agency reported on Dec. 17.

South Korea, U.S.: Unification Ministry Risks U.S.-ROK Rift on DPRK Policy

Burkina Faso

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The Trump administration expanded its travel ban to include full restrictions on several sub-Saharan African countries, including Mali and Burkina Faso, Laos, Syria and individuals with Palestinian Authority-issued passports, as well as partial restrictions on several Caribbean and other African countries, the White House announced on Dec. 16.

U.S.: Trump Expands Travel Ban, Effective Jan. 1

The European Commission proposed changes on Dec. 16 to ease EU vehicle emissions rules, allowing some combustion engine vehicles to remain on the market beyond the planned 2035 phaseout, according to a press release.

EU: Brussels Weakens 2035 Combustion Engine Ban With Emissions Rule Overhaul

A Hong Kong national security court found Jimmy Lai, the 78-year-old founder of shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, guilty on two counts of conspiring to collude with foreign forces under the 2020 National Security Law and one count of sedition under a colonial-era law, Hong Kong Free Press reported on Dec. 15.

Hong Kong, U.S., U.K.: Jimmy Lai Convicted, Raises Dilemma for Trump, Starmer

Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai announced that he had refused to counter-sign a recent bill passed by the opposition-led legislature that would have reallocated significant funding from the central government to opposition-dominated local governments, Reuters reported on Dec. 15. 

Taiwan: Premier Blocks Funding Bill, Risking Snap Elections, Judicial Changes

The Thailand-Cambodia border conflict continued to widen on Dec. 13-15, with Thailand signaling it would sustain military operations and Cambodia formalizing and expanding cross-border movement restrictions, Channel News Asia reported on Dec. 15.

Thailand, Cambodia: Ceasefire Claims Fail as Clashes Spread

Two armed men, a father and son, opened fire on crowds attending a Hanukkah event near Bondi Beach in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 14 in what authorities deemed an antisemitic terrorist attack, according to multiple sources.

Australia: Antisemitic Violence Turns Fatal With Mass Shooting at Hanukkah Event

U.S. President Donald Trump said via Truth Social that Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet had both agreed to "cease all shooting" effective the evening of Dec. 12 (which has already passed in-region) and revert to the earlier U.S.- and Malaysia-brokered peace accord, Reuters reported the same day. 

Thailand, Cambodia, U.S.: Trump Claims Ceasefire Reset, Bangkok Signals Conditions as Fighting Continues

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

South Korea, U.S.: Unification Ministry Risks U.S.-ROK Rift on DPRK Policy

U.S.: Trump Expands Travel Ban, Effective Jan. 1

EU: Brussels Weakens 2035 Combustion Engine Ban With Emissions Rule Overhaul

Hong Kong, U.S., U.K.: Jimmy Lai Convicted, Raises Dilemma for Trump, Starmer

Taiwan: Premier Blocks Funding Bill, Risking Snap Elections, Judicial Changes

Thailand, Cambodia: Ceasefire Claims Fail as Clashes Spread

Australia: Antisemitic Violence Turns Fatal With Mass Shooting at Hanukkah Event

Thailand, Cambodia, U.S.: Trump Claims Ceasefire Reset, Bangkok Signals Conditions as Fighting Continues

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