<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

Kiribati

Laos

Malaysia

Marshall Islands

Mongolia

Myanmar

Nauru

New Zealand

North Korea

Palau

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Singapore

Solomon Islands

South Korea

Taiwan

Thailand

Tonga

Tuvalu

Vanuatu

Vietnam

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

Snapshots

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama looks on as offerings presented by Buddhist followers are laid on a table during a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near the Indian city of Dharamshala, on June 30, 2025. 

Military & Security

Politics

New clarity over the 90-year-old spiritual leader's succession plans threatens to reignite Western criticism of China's treatment of Tibetans and revive reputational risks for Western businesses active in China.

Dalai Lama's Succession Plan Revives Tibet Issue for China and the West

U.S.-China Relations

Assessments

Vietnamese lawmakers vote on a merger of provinces and cities at the National Assembly in Hanoi on June 12, 2025.

Economics

The reduction in provincial- and commune-level units will initially create bureaucratic headaches, but if implemented effectively, the changes set the stage for leaner administration, fiscal efficiency, reduced corruption and improved investment conditions.

Vietnam's Administrative Overhaul: A New Era of Governance and Investment Conditions

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Europe

Eurasia

South Asia

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The third quarter of 2025 will be defined by disruptive trade policies fueling supply chain volatility and the persistent risk of escalation in major conflicts.

2025 Third-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

United States

Iran

Israel

India

A photo taken in Tehran, Iran, on June 26, 2025, shows an Iranian political banner hanging near the remains of a residential building struck by an Israeli attack. 

Global Trade

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

The Weekly Rundown: Fragile Iran-Israel Ceasefire Holds, U.S. Tariff Deadline Approaches

U.S.-Iran Relations

Media

Forecast Webcast

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2025 Third-Quarter Forecast.

2025 Third-Quarter Forecast Webcast

People are seen behind a New Zealand flag during a ceremony celebrating the anniversary of Anzac Day. 

Prime Minister Luxon's recent trip to China marked a high-stakes diplomatic mission aimed at both deepening economic ties with Beijing and signaling New Zealand's more assertive regional posture.

New Zealand's Pivot: Assertive Defense Meets Economic Dependence on China

Canada

United Kingdom

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and British Defense Secretary John Healey sit together for the AUKUS Defense Ministers Meeting at Old Royal Naval College on Sept. 26, 2024, in London, England.

Environment, Science & Technology

Despite growing U.S. skepticism, strong imperatives to counter China's maritime presence will likely lead Washington to see a revised version of the AUKUS defense pact through.

U.S. Review of AUKUS Pillar I Puts Pact on Shaky Ground

The Geopolitics of Trade

The impending full implementation of sweeping U.S. tariffs threatens to significantly disrupt export-driven ASEAN economies, which is driving countries to seek alternative trade partners.

The Geopolitics of Trade: U.S. Tariffs Give Impetus to ASEAN Trade Diversification

Germany

France

Italy

Rescue teams work at damaged buildings in Nobonyad Square following Israeli airstrikes on June 13, 2025, in Tehran, Iran. 

The Weekly Rundown: G7 Leaders' Summit, More Israeli Attacks on Iran

Argentina

Belize

Bolivia

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Cuba

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

El Salvador

Guatemala

Guyana

Haiti

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela

(L-R) Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina attend a plenary session of the China-CELAC ministerial meeting at the Great Hall of the People on May 13, 2025, in Beijing, China. 

Latin America and the Caribbean will welcome China's increased engagement, but strong ties to the West and China's economic slowdown will limit Beijing's influence in the region.

Despite Stronger Trade Ties, China's Influence in Latin America Will Remain Limited

The United States reached a trade deal with Vietnam that will see Washington lower its proposed 46% tariff rate on Vietnamese goods to 20% in exchange for Vietnam cutting tariffs on U.S. goods to zero, U.S. President Donald Trump announced in a July 2 post on Truth Social.

Vietnam, U.S.: Hanoi Avoids 46% Tariffs With Trade Deal, but Lower Rate Still Spells Risk

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said a Chinese military base in the Pacific islands region would not be welcome and that he would introduce a proposed multilateral pact dubbed the Ocean of Peace treaty at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum, or PIF, summit in September, The Australian Financial Review reported July 2.

Fiji: Pacific Island Nation Seeks Treaty To Box Out Chinese Military From Region

Cyber

The U.S. Department of Justice announced on June 30 two indictments, an arrest and the seizure of hundreds of financial accounts, fraudulent websites and laptops linked to North Korea’s fraudulent IT worker schemes at U.S. companies.

U.S., North Korea: DOJ Announces Crackdown on North Korean IT Workers

Thailand's Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office while it reviews a petition alleging she violated the constitution by consulting with foreign leaders, The Nation Thailand reported on July 1.

Thailand: Prime Minister's Suspension Could Lead to Government Gridlock

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on July 1 said that liquidity being pumped into the housing sector was fueling speculation and causing instability in the sector, Yonhap reported the same day. 

South Korea: President Lee Seeks To Rein In Investment in Housing

Indonesia announced it will ease import restrictions on over 300 goods categories -- including plastics, chemicals, fertilizers and forestry products -- rolled out under 2023 trade protection rules in a partial reversal of its protectionist measures, Reuters reported on June 30.

Indonesia, U.S.: Jakarta Cuts Import Restrictions, Proposes Minerals Collaboration

Philippine military leaders, in tandem with the United States and Japan, are operationalizing a "one-theater" concept to unify defense planning across the East and South China seas, which Japan and the Philippines, respectively, dispute with China, Reuters reported on June 30. 

Philippines, U.S., Japan: Countries Deepen Unified Security Front and Infrastructure Collaboration

Australia's Defense Department slashed maintenance and training budgets by 10% to help pay for AUKUS submarines and missile purchases, sparking warnings that Australian Defense Force personnel, warships and aircraft were no longer fully operational, The Australian Financial Review reported on June 27. 

Australia: Naval Deficiencies Spell More Risk for AUKUS

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Vietnam, U.S.: Hanoi Avoids 46% Tariffs With Trade Deal, but Lower Rate Still Spells Risk

Fiji: Pacific Island Nation Seeks Treaty To Box Out Chinese Military From Region

U.S., North Korea: DOJ Announces Crackdown on North Korean IT Workers

Thailand: Prime Minister's Suspension Could Lead to Government Gridlock

South Korea: President Lee Seeks To Rein In Investment in Housing

Indonesia, U.S.: Jakarta Cuts Import Restrictions, Proposes Minerals Collaboration

Philippines, U.S., Japan: Countries Deepen Unified Security Front and Infrastructure Collaboration

Australia: Naval Deficiencies Spell More Risk for AUKUS

Forecasts

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