<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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Philippines

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South Korea

Taiwan

Thailand

Tonga

Tuvalu

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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

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a bilateral meeting in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025.

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Politics

The May 14-15 meetings will likely yield a limited extension of the current U.S.-China economic detente while leaving core strategic disputes over technology controls, Taiwan and Iran largely unresolved.

Trump-Xi Summit Likely To Preserve Trade Truce, Test Strategic Fault Lines

U.S.-China Relations

Kenya

Iran

Israel

Lebanon

France

United Kingdom

Boats on April 28, 2026 on Qeshm Island, Iran, in the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions between the United States and Iran will remain elevated, especially around the strait, following the May 7 U.S.-Iran exchange of attacks and Iranian attacks against the United Arab Emirates.

Military & Security

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

The Weekly Rundown: Elevated Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, France Convenes an Africa Summit

U.S.-Iran Relations

India

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

The Weekly Rundown: U.K. Elections, Iran War Resumption Risk

A Chinese vessel participates in oil exploration.

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

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

Spain

A Russian cargo ship that sank off the coast of Spain in December 2024 may have been carrying submarine nuclear reactor components to North Korea, CNN reported on May 12, citing a Spanish investigation and sources familiar with it.

Russia, North Korea: Sunken Russian Ship Raises Concerns Over Possible Nuclear Technology Transfer

Cambodia's National Assembly approved a revised version of a 2006 conscription law that was never enforced, raising the length of service from 18 to 24 months and lowering the eligible age range to 18-25 years, AFP reported on May 12.

Cambodia: Military Conscription Law Revived and Enhanced Amid Lingering Border Tensions

The Philippine House of Representatives voted 257-25, with nine abstentions, to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte for a second time over alleged fund misuse, unexplained wealth and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., The New York Times reported on May 11. 

Philippines: Vice President Impeached, but Senate Shakeup Makes Conviction Uncertain 

One Nation, a right-wing populist party, won the May 9 by-election in Farrer, a rural New South Wales seat that had been held by the Liberal Party, one of Australia's two main conservative parties, since 1949, the Australian Financial Review reported the same day.

Australia: One Nation Breakthrough Deepens Conservative Split

Association of Southeast Asian Nations members agreed to boost maritime cooperation and create a new center for maritime issues after the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz highlighted the region's exposure to shipping disruptions and energy supply shocks, Bloomberg reported on May 8. 

ASEAN: Strait of Hormuz Shock Spurs Limited Maritime Coordination

Taiwan's opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan approved around $24.9 billion in extra defense spending, roughly two-thirds of the nearly $40 billion requested by the government of President William Lai, after the Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party narrowed the package to only U.S. weapons rather than Lai's proposed broader mix of U.S. arms and domestic arms production, the Financial Times reported on May 8.

Taiwan: Reduced Defense Package Funds U.S. Arms, Exposes Domestic Buildout Gap

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele lost a no-confidence vote 26-22, after more than a dozen ministers defected to the opposition in March and courts forced Parliament to reconvene, the Financial Times reported on May 7.

Solomon Islands: Prime Minister's Ouster Raises Prospect of Renewed China Tilt

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet met on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Cebu, Philippines, and agreed to rebuild trust, normalize relations and pursue peace after deadly border clashes in 2025, Bloomberg reported on May 7.

Thailand, Cambodia: Leaders Pledge To Rebuild Ties After 2025 Border Clashes

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Russia, North Korea: Sunken Russian Ship Raises Concerns Over Possible Nuclear Technology Transfer

Cambodia: Military Conscription Law Revived and Enhanced Amid Lingering Border Tensions

Philippines: Vice President Impeached, but Senate Shakeup Makes Conviction Uncertain

Australia: One Nation Breakthrough Deepens Conservative Split

ASEAN: Strait of Hormuz Shock Spurs Limited Maritime Coordination

Taiwan: Reduced Defense Package Funds U.S. Arms, Exposes Domestic Buildout Gap

Solomon Islands: Prime Minister's Ouster Raises Prospect of Renewed China Tilt

Thailand, Cambodia: Leaders Pledge To Rebuild Ties After 2025 Border Clashes

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