<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

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Indonesia

Japan

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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

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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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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

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

Cyber

Environment, Science & Technology

U.S. and Chinese officials are considering launching talks on artificial intelligence, potentially at the May 14-15 summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, to implement guardrails on its use, The Wall Street Journal reported on May 7.

U.S., China: Countries Weigh Renewing AI Dialogue

U.S.-China Relations

North Korea revised its constitution to remove references to Korean reunification and define North Korean territory as bordering China, Russia and the Republic of Korea, AFP reported on May 6.

North Korea: Pyongyang Codifies Abandonment of Reunification

India and Vietnam elevated ties to an enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership during Vietnamese leader To Lam's May 5-7 state visit, during which he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi set a target to raise bilateral trade from $16 billion currently to $25 billion by 2030, according to a joint statement released on May 6.

Vietnam, India: Strategic Upgrade Expands Rare Earth, Defense Ties

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, where Wang called for a ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel and warned that the Iran war was entering a critical phase, AP reported on May 6.

China, Iran: Beijing Presses Tehran on De-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz

South Korea is launching a likely days-long investigation into the cause of an explosion and fire aboard a South Korean-operated commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which all 24 crew members survived unscathed, Yonhap News Agency reported on May 5.

South Korea, U.S.: Seoul Reviews Hormuz Mission After Vessel Fire

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed agreements with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung to deepen cooperation on energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and space during the former's visit to Hanoi, Reuters reported on May 2.

Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam: Tokyo Deepens Strategic Foothold in Southeast Asia

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

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

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

U.S., China: Countries Weigh Renewing AI Dialogue

North Korea: Pyongyang Codifies Abandonment of Reunification

Vietnam, India: Strategic Upgrade Expands Rare Earth, Defense Ties

China, Iran: Beijing Presses Tehran on De-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz

South Korea, U.S.: Seoul Reviews Hormuz Mission After Vessel Fire

Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam: Tokyo Deepens Strategic Foothold in Southeast Asia

Forecasts

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