<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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Timor-Leste

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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

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On Geopolitics

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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.

Military & Security

Politics

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

Assessments

Cameroon

Cote d'Ivoire

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Argentina

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

Economics

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

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

U.S.-China Relations

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

Snapshots

Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Oct. 21, 2025.

Sanae Takaichi's appointment as prime minister will reduce short-term political instability in Japan and strengthen U.S. ties, but her conservative government will struggle to recover domestic support and could alienate neighboring countries.

New Premier Takaichi a Quick Fix for Japan's Long-Term Political Problems

Israel

Palestinian Territories

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. Delegations from the United States and Russia, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov, respectively, will meet this week to resume conversations about their countries' bilateral relationship and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: U.S. and Russian Delegations Meet, a Still-Fragile Hamas-Israel Ceasefire 

Media

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On Oct. 4, conservative candidate and former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi won the leadership election of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, clearing the way for her to become Japan's next prime minister after a Diet vote tentatively scheduled for mid-October.

Essential Geopolitics: Who Will Be Japan's Next Prime Minister?

Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, and other senior government members and deputies attend the second plenary session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People on March 8, 2025, in Beijing, China.

Environment, Science & Technology

Global Trade

The key political meeting will fill vacant Party seats and update economic and security goals, offering insights into China's policy priorities and the trajectory of Xi's political purges for the next five years. 

What To Watch for During China's Fourth Plenum

Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam (left) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un participate in a ceremony at the Pyongyang Sports Palace on Oct. 9, 2025, during Lam's three-day official visit to North Korea.

To Lam's visit injects fresh diplomatic energy into the long-stalled relationship with North Korea and fits into Pyongyang's gradual reemergence as an active player in regional diplomacy.

Vietnam's Lam Extends Diplomatic Balancing Act With Rare North Korea Visit

France

Palestinians on Oct. 10 on Al-Rashid road headed toward Gaza City. U.S. President Donald Trump said he might visit the Middle East just as 20 hostages are meant to be released by Hamas after surviving two years in captivity as the White House pushes for the solidification of a frail ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The Weekly Rundown: Trump Tries To Solidify the Gaza Ceasefire, a Presidential Vote in Cameroon

Tetsuo Saito, the leader of Japan's Komeito party, attends a meeting at the Diet in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025.

The collapse of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's longstanding coalition with Komeito increases the likelihood of a fragile opposition government taking power, which could strain U.S.-Japan trade ties while improving Tokyo's regional diplomatic prospects.

End of an Era: Japan's 26-Year Coalition Government Falls Apart

Chinese President Xi Jinping published an explanation of China's 15th five-year plan for economic development from 2026-30, noting that amid foreign uncertainty, consumption and stable growth were key, Xinhua reported on Oct. 28.

China: President Xi Explains Five-Year Plan for 2026-30

Energy

U.S. President Donald Trump and new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met in Tokyo on Oct. 28, where Trump pledged to support Takaichi, adding, "We are an ally at the strongest level," Bloomberg reported.

Japan, U.S.: Trump and Takaichi Meet, Sign Critical Minerals, Tech, Trade Agreements

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations signed the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (CAFTA) 3.0 upgrade at the ASEAN leaders' summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Channel News Asia reported on Oct. 28. 

China, ASEAN: Trade Pact Upgrade To Expand Bloc's Market Access

Westinghouse and the U.S. government reached a deal to build at least $80 billion worth of new U.S. nuclear reactors, according to an Oct. 28 press release from Brookfield Asset Management, the owner of Westinghouse. 

U.S.: A Flurry of U.S. Nuclear Power Deals Announced, Including Some With Japan

Timor‑Leste officially became the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations during the bloc's annual leaders' summit, Reuters reported on Oct. 25.

Timor-Leste: Country Becomes ASEAN's 11th Member

Thailand and Cambodia signed a joint declaration, overseen by U.S. President Donald Trump, broadening their July 28 ceasefire, with each agreeing to pull heavy weapons from their shared border, deploy additional neutral observer teams and release prisoners, Reuters reported on Oct. 26.

U.S., Thailand, Cambodia: Peace Declaration, Trade Agreements at ASEAN Summit

The United States and Malaysia signed a reciprocal trade pact that leaves in place Washington's 19% tariff rate on Malaysian goods but grants zero-tariff carveouts for more than 1,700 Malaysian export categories and "favorable consideration on semiconductors," while securing Malaysian commitments not to restrict exports of critical minerals (including rare earths) and magnets, The Straits Times reported on Oct. 26. 

U.S., Malaysia, Vietnam: Washington Secures Critical Minerals, Market Access

The U.S. and Chinese trade teams met Oct. 25-27 in Malaysia, with both sides suggesting they had agreed on a number of terms that could be turned into a formal deal when U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet Oct. 30 in South Korea, The New York Times reported.

U.S., China: Envoys Agree on Trade Terms Ahead of Xi-Trump Meeting

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

China: President Xi Explains Five-Year Plan for 2026-30

Japan, U.S.: Trump and Takaichi Meet, Sign Critical Minerals, Tech, Trade Agreements

China, ASEAN: Trade Pact Upgrade To Expand Bloc's Market Access

U.S.: A Flurry of U.S. Nuclear Power Deals Announced, Including Some With Japan

Timor-Leste: Country Becomes ASEAN's 11th Member

U.S., Thailand, Cambodia: Peace Declaration, Trade Agreements at ASEAN Summit

U.S., Malaysia, Vietnam: Washington Secures Critical Minerals, Market Access

U.S., China: Envoys Agree on Trade Terms Ahead of Xi-Trump Meeting

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