<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

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Taiwan

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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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The Geopolitics of Demographics

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Military & Security

Politics

Demographics may not be destiny, but it does play a major role in questions of national power.

The Geopolitics of Demographics: An Introduction

United States

Iran

Israel

Ukraine

A large plume of smoke rises March 7 over Tehran after explosions were reported in the Iranian capital during the night.

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: The Iran War Continues, Takaichi Meets With Trump

U.S.-Iran Relations

Canada

India

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney walks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra, Australia, on March 5, 2026. 

Energy

Canada's push to deepen economic and security ties with India, Australia and Japan faces constraints and may inadvertently strengthen the U.S.-led regional structure Ottawa is trying to hedge against.

The Promise and Limitations of Canada's Push to Diversify Strategic Partnerships

Russia

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Feb. 22, 2026. 

Kim Jong Un's latest directives suggest a willingness to pursue high-level negotiations with the United States and China in pursuit of critical economic concessions.

North Korea's Party Congress Points to Diplomatic Window of Opportunity

Media

Podcasts

How will election results impact Vietnam's economic growth in the near term?

The Decision Advantage: What To Expect From Vietnam's Leadership Election Results

Chile

Colombia

Lebanon

Germany

Greece

France

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Cyprus

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Italy

Plumes of smoke rise following reported explosions in Tehran on March 2, 2026, after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28 killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top military leaders, prompting a new wave of Iranian retaliatory missile attacks across the region. 

The Weekly Rundown: War in the Middle East, U.S.-China Trade Talks

The U.S. Supreme Court in October 2024 in Washington.

The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling against the Trump administration's tariffs imposed under the IEEPA still leaves Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Vietnam vulnerable to other trade escalation mechanisms.

Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Vietnam Assess Their U.S. Trade Deals After IEEPA Tariffs

The Tehran skyline on Dec. 30, 2025. On March 2, U.S. and Iranian negotiators will meet in Vienna, Austria, to begin technical talks on a nuclear deal.

The Weekly Rundown: The Conflict in the Middle East, Merz meets Trump 

A video interview of Taiwanese President William Lai plays onstage during The New York Times DealBook Summit 2025 at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Dec. 3, 2025, in New York City.

President Lai's political disputes with the legislature are unlikely to ease anytime soon, which could disrupt U.S. trade and arms deals and/or jeopardize future opportunities for diplomatic engagement with China.

Taiwan's Political Dysfunction Goes Global

Snapshots

European Union and Australian flags together.

Global Trade

European and Australian negotiators aim to strengthen supply chain resilience and hedge against growing global trade volatility.


The Strategic Logic Behind Revived Australia-EU Free Trade Talks 

U.S. President Donald Trump demanded that countries like China, Japan and South Korea participate in a naval escort mission to ensure the safe passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported on March 15.

Northeast Asia: China, South Korea, Japan Demur Over Trump Demand for Strait of Hormuz Escort Mission

U.S.-China Relations

Afghanistan

Pakistan

The Afghan Taliban said Pakistan targeted civilian homes and private airline Kam Air's fuel depots, killing at least six civilians and wounding more than a dozen others, AP reported on March 13.

Afghanistan, Pakistan: Pakistan's Strikes in Afghanistan Renew Challenge to Mediation Efforts

South Korea's National Assembly passed a bill to carry out Seoul's pledge to invest $350 billion in U.S. projects, fulfilling a portion of the U.S.-South Korea trade deal signed in October 2025, Yonhap News Agency reported on March 12.

South Korea: Investment Bill To Prevent U.S. Tariff Hike for Now

Three unnamed Pakistani officials said Chinese mediation in recent weeks has helped ease cross-border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with China's special envoy to Afghanistan shuttling between the warring countries for talks and China's President Xi Jinping recording a message in late February calling for the parties to halt their skirmishes, Reuters reported on March 12.

Afghanistan, Pakistan: China's Mediation Facilitates Ease in Afghanistan-Pakistan Fighting

Australia and Indonesia announced plans to expand bilateral security cooperation to include two new trilateral arrangements with Japan and Papua New Guinea, respectively, Reuters reported on March 12.

Australia, Indonesia: Security Pact To Expand and Include Japan, Papua New Guinea

South Korea's energy ministry announced on March 11 that it would aim to approve two nuclear reactors to begin operations later in March and another four more by mid-May, as well as consider easing operational restrictions on coal-fired power plants in the event that liquefied natural gas deliveries are disrupted due to the Iran war.

South Korea: Nuclear, Coal Power Boosted as Seoul Considers New Budget

On March 10, India eased rules for investments from countries with which it shares a land border, allowing automatic approval for non-controlling stakes of up to 10% with compliance requirements, and establishing a 60-day approval timeline for investments in sectors such as electronic components, rare earth magnets and wafers, Bloomberg reported on March 11.

India, China: India To Partially Ease FDI Scrutiny for China

Panama

China's state-owned shipping company COSCO suspended its services at a Panama Canal port that has been involved in a geopolitical dispute over the past year over its previous operation by a Hong Kong-based company, Bloomberg reported on March 11.

Panama, China, U.S.: COSCO Suspends Activity in Panama Port Amid Geopolitical Dispute

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Northeast Asia: China, South Korea, Japan Demur Over Trump Demand for Strait of Hormuz Escort Mission

Afghanistan, Pakistan: Pakistan's Strikes in Afghanistan Renew Challenge to Mediation Efforts

South Korea: Investment Bill To Prevent U.S. Tariff Hike for Now

Afghanistan, Pakistan: China's Mediation Facilitates Ease in Afghanistan-Pakistan Fighting

Australia, Indonesia: Security Pact To Expand and Include Japan, Papua New Guinea

South Korea: Nuclear, Coal Power Boosted as Seoul Considers New Budget

India, China: India To Partially Ease FDI Scrutiny for China

Panama, China, U.S.: COSCO Suspends Activity in Panama Port Amid Geopolitical Dispute

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