<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

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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 U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II on Dec. 15 taxis at Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico.

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Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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

The Weekly Rundown: French Budget Deadlock, U.S.-Russia Talks in Miami

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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

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Israel-Hamas Conflict

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

2026 Annual Forecast: A Global Overview

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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

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

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

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

U.S.-China Relations

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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

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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

Military officials from Thailand and Cambodia began secretariat-level talks in Thailand's Chantaburi province, with a possible defense minister-level meeting scheduled for Dec. 27 if technical frameworks are agreed upon, Channel News Asia reported Dec. 24.

Thailand, Cambodia: Ceasefire Talks Resume Under Thai Preconditions

China said it will take "corresponding measures" in response to U.S. plans to raise tariffs on Chinese semiconductor imports from June 23, 2027, following the conclusion of a yearlong Section 301 probe into Beijing's chip policies, the South China Morning Post reported Dec. 24.

China: Beijing Threatens Retaliation Over Delayed U.S. Semiconductor Tariffs

The Office of the United States Trade Representative concluded a yearlong Section 301 investigation, finding China's semiconductor industrial policies "unreasonable," but said any new tariffs on Chinese legacy chips will be delayed until June 2027 with rates announced at least 30 days in advance, the Financial Times reported Dec. 23. 

China: Washington Delays New Chip Tariffs to 2027 Amid Fragile Trade Truce

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) blacklisted all new foreign-made drones and components on Dec. 22, deeming that they pose "an unacceptable risk" to U.S. national security, Reuters reported Dec. 23.

U.S.: FCC Prohibits Approval of All New Foreign-Made Drones 

Indonesian officials said Jakarta and Washington had resolved all substantive issues in bilateral tariff talks and planned to formally sign a trade agreement in late January during a visit by President Prabowo Subianto to meet U.S. President Donald Trump, the South China Morning Post reported Dec. 23. 

Indonesia, U.S.: Jakarta Claims Trade Deal Issues Resolved, Paving Way for January Signing

A draft Pentagon report assesses that China has likely loaded over 100 solid-fueled DF-31 intercontinental ballistic missiles into three recently identified silo fields near the Mongolian border, Reuters reported Dec. 23. 

China, U.S.: Beijing Continues To Build Up Nuclear Arsenal, Reject Arms Control Talks

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to talks between their defense officials under the bilateral General Border Committee on Dec. 24 to resume the U.S.-brokered July 28 ceasefire; the decision followed a special meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers Dec. 22 in Kuala Lumpur.

Thailand, Cambodia: Ceasefire Talks To Resume Despite Ongoing Fighting

Several opposition Kuomintang lawmakers on Dec. 22 submitted criminal complaints against the five Constitutional Court justices who on Dec. 19 found unconstitutional December 2024 judicial reforms passed by the KMT and fellow opposition Taiwan People's Party that made the island's top court defunct.

Taiwan: KMT Responds to Court Ruling Ending Judicial Impasse

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Thailand, Cambodia: Ceasefire Talks Resume Under Thai Preconditions

China: Beijing Threatens Retaliation Over Delayed U.S. Semiconductor Tariffs

China: Washington Delays New Chip Tariffs to 2027 Amid Fragile Trade Truce

U.S.: FCC Prohibits Approval of All New Foreign-Made Drones

Indonesia, U.S.: Jakarta Claims Trade Deal Issues Resolved, Paving Way for January Signing

China, U.S.: Beijing Continues To Build Up Nuclear Arsenal, Reject Arms Control Talks

Thailand, Cambodia: Ceasefire Talks To Resume Despite Ongoing Fighting

Taiwan: KMT Responds to Court Ruling Ending Judicial Impasse

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