<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

Assessments

Taiwanese lawmakers prepare to vote on reconsidering controversial bills in Taipei, Taiwan, on June 21, 2024. 

Economics

Military & Security

Politics

Political infighting since the president's inauguration has impeded Taiwan's efforts to bolster military spending and has prompted Chinese military and economic retaliation, which could eventually imperil U.S. trade and arms deals.

After One Year Under Lai, Taiwan's Political Dysfunction Shows Little Sign of Easing

France

French President Emmanuel Macron holds a press briefing during his trip to Singapore on May 30, 2025. 

Energy

Global Trade

The deals reached with Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam expand France's role in Southeast Asia amid shifting global trade and defense dynamics, a welcome development for a region increasingly pinned between the U.S. and China.

Macron's Southeast Asia Tour Deepens French Footprint in the Region

U.S.-China Relations

United States

Turkey

Europe

Russia

India

Pakistan

The Geopolitics of Trade

Turkey's export strategy necessitates trade partnerships with countries in many different spheres of influence, portending both risks and opportunities as Ankara attempts to maintain its neutral middle-power status.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Turkey's Export Strategy Hinges on Neutrality

Lee Jae-myung and his wife celebrate his projected victory in South Korea's presidential election on June 4, 2025, in Seoul, South Korea.

Lee Jae-myung and his progressive party will pursue pro-labor domestic policies, along with U.S. tariff relief and improved ties with China and North Korea.

After Months of Political Tumult, South Korea Elects a New President

Global Elections

Mexico

Poland

Ukraine

Ukrainian, U.S. and Russian delegates meet for peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 16, 2025. 

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: Ukraine-Russia Talks, Mexico's First-Ever Judicial Elections

Snapshots

Canada

A U.S. courthouse facade with columns in lower Manhattan, New York.

The court ruling nullifies most -- though not all -- of the Trump administration's tariffs, giving U.S. trading partners temporary breathing room in negotiations while the White House searches for alternative trade measures.

The White House's Tariff Ambitions Bend -- But Do Not Break -- Under the Weight of a Court Ruling

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto speaks during an economic event in Jakarta on April 8, 2025.

The president's efforts to consolidate power via welfare populism and security-minded governance could face challenges if economic headwinds strengthen, especially amid looming U.S. tariff threats.

How Subianto Is Making His Mark on Indonesian Politics

The ASEAN logo May 15 in front of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia will host the first of the two annual summits of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on May 26.

The Weekly Rundown: Trans-Atlantic Trade Talks Intensify, Malaysia Hosts Two Summits

Columns

On Geopolitics

A digital illustration of a Chinese flag.

The apparent ineffectiveness of consumer subsidies in raising retail sales, paired with the government's continued resistance to stimulus, suggests that China's post-COVID consumer activity will remain depressed for the foreseeable future.

Gauging the Success of China's Consumer Subsidies Program, One Year Later

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton concedes defeat during a Liberal Party election night event on May 3, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. 

The collapse of the center-right Liberal-National Coalition (LNC) will grant the ruling Labor Party freer rein to implement energy transition, industrial investment and fiscal reform policies.

Collapse of Australia's Conservative Coalition Reshapes Political Landscape, Further Empowers Labor

Burundi

Chad

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Republic of the Congo

Sierra Leone

Somalia

Sudan

Togo

Cuba

Haiti

Venezuela

Iran

Libya

Yemen

Turkmenistan

Afghanistan

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a ban barring citizens from 12 countries from traveling to the United States, with the order set to take effect on June 9, The New York Times reported on June 4.

U.S.: Trump Administration Issues New Travel Ban

Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call on June 5 at Trump's request, Chinese state media Xinhua reported the same day. 

U.S., China: Xi, Trump Phone Call Suggests Rare Earths Talks Inbound

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra vowed that Thailand was ready to defend its border positions if Cambodia attacked, a day after Bangkok rejected International Court of Justice jurisdiction over the dispute, the Bangkok Post reported on June 4. 

Thailand, Cambodia: Bangkok Rejects ICJ Jurisdiction Over Border Dispute as Phnom Penh Warns of Escalation

Lee Jae-myung, the head of South Korea's Democratic Party of Korea, or DPK, was inaugurated as president, Reuters reported on June 4.

South Korea: New President's Party Pursues Day-One Court Packing

The European Union and Australia resumed negotiations over a long-stalled free trade agreement, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tentatively planning a visit to Australia in July or August to finalize the deal, the Australian Financial Review reported on June 4.

EU, Australia: Brussels, Canberra Negotiating FTA as U.S. Tariff 'Insurance' 

Several major Western automakers are considering shifting more of their auto-parts manufacturing to China to avoid factory shutdowns due to an inability to source Chinese rare earth magnets, The Wall Street Journal reported on June 3.

China: Limits on Rare Earth Exports Force Western Automakers To Consider Relocating Production

Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, Mongolia's prime minister and head of the long-dominant Mongolian People's Party, was ousted when he failed to win a vote of confidence, only receiving 44 of the 64 votes required despite the MPP's control over 76 out of 126 legislative seats, Bloomberg reported on June 2.

Mongolia: Prime Minister Ousted Amid Protests, Ruling Party To Remain

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is considering calling a snap lower house election in order to preempt a no-confidence vote motion by the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party and to take advantage of a perceived lack of readiness by the CDP for such an election, according to several senior officials cited by The Asahi Shimbun on June 3.

Japan: Prime Minister Ishiba Considering a Snap Election

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S.: Trump Administration Issues New Travel Ban

U.S., China: Xi, Trump Phone Call Suggests Rare Earths Talks Inbound

Thailand, Cambodia: Bangkok Rejects ICJ Jurisdiction Over Border Dispute as Phnom Penh Warns of Escalation

South Korea: New President's Party Pursues Day-One Court Packing

EU, Australia: Brussels, Canberra Negotiating FTA as U.S. Tariff 'Insurance'

China: Limits on Rare Earth Exports Force Western Automakers To Consider Relocating Production

Mongolia: Prime Minister Ousted Amid Protests, Ruling Party To Remain

Japan: Prime Minister Ishiba Considering a Snap Election

Forecasts

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