<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

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 Trade

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Mercosur is increasingly opening its markets in pursuit of free trade agreements with partners around the world, particularly as U.S. protectionism shifts global trade dynamics.

The Geopolitics of Trade: What Changing Trade Dynamics Mean for Mercosur

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Russia

India

An aerial view shows a campaign poster of Bolivian presidential candidate Samuel Doria Medina and his supporters marching during a rally in La Paz, Bolivia, on Aug. 12, 2025.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Bolivian Elections, a Controversial Israeli Settlement Plan 

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (left) speaks next to leaders of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) during a press conference at the LDP's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 28, 2024. 

Following recent setbacks, the powerful party will evolve to ensure it stays relevant on key policy issues and resists dissolution, but it may emerge as a first among equals rather than as Japan's undisputed leader.

The LDP, Japan's Political Leviathan, Faces Another Reckoning

Snapshots

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the "Winning the AI Race" summit hosted by All‑In Podcast and Hill & Valley Forum at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on July 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C. 

Environment, Science & Technology

Relaxed U.S. export controls on key semiconductors will enable Chinese companies to accelerate their advancement of AI-focused chips.

How U.S. Export Concessions Could Boost China's AI Ambitions

U.S.-China Relations

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) looks at Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Nov. 30, 2018, during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet in the coming days.

Energy

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Military & Security

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: A Trump-Putin Summit, the Deadline for a U.S.-China Tariff Pause

A 3D modeled town in the shape of the Chinese flag.

Trade tensions will exacerbate China's excess savings problems, but the economic situation will remain manageable

Beijing Grapples With Deflation, Overinvestment as Tariff Pressures Mount

Poland

Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Oval Office of the White House on July 22, 2025. 

The Weekly Rundown: Last-Minute U.S. Trade Talks, a New Polish President

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (center) speaks during a press conference next to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (left) and Thailand's acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai (right) in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on July 28, 2025. 

While the truce may hold in the short to medium term, unresolved disputes and political pressures sustain the risk of future clashes, with the next round likely to be even deadlier.

Gauging the Stability of the Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire

A voter leaves a booth during voting for the recall election at a polling station in Taipei, Taiwan, on July 26, 2025. 

Its victory in the recall votes will embolden the opposition KMT to press on with controversial reforms and defense spending cuts, but it will also help prevent a near-term escalation of cross-strait tensions.

A Failed Recall Emboldens Taiwan's Opposition

Mexico

A Cambodian soldier stands on a truck with a rocket launcher in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, which borders Thailand, on July 25, 2025. 

The Weekly Rundown: U.S. Tariff Deadline Passes, Thai-Cambodian Border Tensions Persist

Nvidia ordered several suppliers and contractors for its H20 AI chip, including Amkor, Foxconn and Samsung, to suspend production, The Information reported on Aug. 21. 

U.S., China: Nvidia Tells Suppliers and Contractors To Halt Production of H20 AI Chip

Australia and the Philippines announced plans to sign a new defense cooperation agreement by 2026 to expand joint exercises and develop military infrastructure at five Philippine sites, Reuters reported Aug. 22. 


Australia, Philippines: Canberra, Manila Plan New Defense Pact

Cyber

Microsoft began restricting Chinese companies' access to early notifications about cybersecurity vulnerabilities in response to the U.S. government's mandated vulnerability reporting requirement, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 20. 

U.S., China: Microsoft Curtails Chinese Companies' Access To Advance Vulnerability Notifications

Sub-Saharan Africa

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba unveiled plans to launch an Indian Ocean-Africa economic zone initiative during the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, The Asahi Shimbun reported on Aug. 20.

Africa: Japan's Ishiba Unveils Plans for Indian Ocean-Africa Economic Initiative, Fresh Investments and Loans

Taiwan's Cabinet revealed its proposal for the 2026 defense budget of 949.5 billion New Taiwan dollars ($31.1 billion), equivalent to 3.32% of gross domestic product and representing a 23% increase from 2025, Focus Taiwan reported on Aug. 21.

Taiwan, U.S.: Lai Proposes Defense Spending Surge Amid U.S. Pressure

Indonesia will create 500 new infantry battalions over five years in an initiative by President Prabowo Subianto and endorsed by his cabinet to embed the military deeper into social welfare programs, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 21.

Indonesia: 500 New Battalions To Be Created, Carry Out Social Programs

Marking the conclusion of the Chinese foreign minister's two-day visit to New Delhi, India and China agreed to resume bilateral direct flights, maintain communications on transboundary rivers and water issues, and establish a group to formally explore demarcating sections of their disputed border, Reuters reported on Aug. 19.

India, China: Governments Continue To Ease Tensions With New Agreements 

Demonstrators clashed with authorities over a property tax hike in Bone regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, rumored among residents to be 300%, though the local government says the actual rate was 65%, The Jakarta Post reported Aug. 20.

Indonesia: Tax Hikes Trigger Rash of Violent Protests

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., China: Nvidia Tells Suppliers and Contractors To Halt Production of H20 AI Chip

Australia, Philippines: Canberra, Manila Plan New Defense Pact

U.S., China: Microsoft Curtails Chinese Companies' Access To Advance Vulnerability Notifications

Africa: Japan's Ishiba Unveils Plans for Indian Ocean-Africa Economic Initiative, Fresh Investments and Loans

Taiwan, U.S.: Lai Proposes Defense Spending Surge Amid U.S. Pressure

Indonesia: 500 New Battalions To Be Created, Carry Out Social Programs

India, China: Governments Continue To Ease Tensions With New Agreements

Indonesia: Tax Hikes Trigger Rash of Violent Protests

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