<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

A Chinese frigate participates in a naval parade in the sea near Qingdao, in eastern China's Shandong province, on April 23, 2019. 

Military & Security

A shift from coastguard to naval confrontations raises the likelihood of sharp, short direct conflict that would significantly worsen already high maritime tensions.

Chinese-Philippine Naval Confrontations Raise the Stakes in South China Sea Tensions

After winning the general election, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese waves as he arrives onstage at the Labor Party election night event in Sydney on May 3, 2025. 

Economics

Energy

Politics

The Labor Party's sweeping victory in Australia will strengthen Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's ability to increase public spending and bolster ties with foreign partners.

Albanese Returns Stronger Than Ever Following Australia's General Election

Supporters of Singapore's ruling People's Action Party attend an election rally on May 1, 2025. 

While the ruling party is set to extend its 60-year rule, a weaker mandate could impede its ability to navigate economic headwinds and rising public demands for policy reform.

Previewing Singapore's Election

Global Elections

United States

Europe

A digital illustration of the Chinese and EU flags.

Global Trade

Transatlantic trade tensions have created a window for tactical EU-China engagement, but structural constraints and unresolved disputes limit prospects for meaningful realignment.

Budding EU-China Rapprochement Amid U.S. Tariffs Will Have Its Limits

U.S.-China Relations

Mexico

Trucks travel by the U.S.-Mexico border after crossing the border into the United States at Otay Mesa, California, on April 2, 2025. 

Although U.S. tariffs will hurt Mexico's economy in the short term, they may eventually grant Mexico a competitive advantage over countries that face even higher duties.

The Buffers That Will Help Mexico Navigate Tariff Turbulence

The Geopolitics of Trade

U.S. reciprocal tariffs will have major economic and political impacts on Japan and South Korea, particularly as both East Asian countries prepare for summer elections.

The Geopolitics of Trade: The Impact of U.S. Tariffs on South Korea and Japan

Australian Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) debates Liberal opposition leader Peter Dutton on April 8, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. 

While another Labor government would portend domestic and foreign policy continuity, a victory by the Liberal-National coalition would signal a shift toward fiscal austerity, loosened energy regulations, expanded defense spending and stricter immigration regulations.

Australia's Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Ecuador

Iran

Italy

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the closing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, China, on March 11, 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: Xi Tours Southeast Asia, Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Begin

U.S.-Iran Relations

Taiwan's President Lai inspects troops taking part in the Rapid Response Exercise at the Songshan military airbase in Taipei on March 21, 2025.

Lai's policies to defend sovereignty and curb Chinese influence are prompting greater coercive pressure from Beijing.

In Taiwan, President Lai's Actions Toward China Will Speak Louder Than His Words

Vietnamese garment workers stitch apparel at a factory in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on April 3, 2025, after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping new tariffs on trading partners.

If the 46% U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods remains in place, it will quickly destabilize the country's export-reliant economy, creating substantial risks that could compel Hanoi to deepen its reliance on China.

Trump's Tariffs Pose a Structural Threat to Vietnam's Economy

Indonesia and Thailand are reshaping energy import strategies to boost economic ties with the United States ahead of looming tariff deadlines, Reuters and the Bangkok Post reported respectively on May 9.

Indonesia, Thailand, U.S.: Jakarta and Bangkok Seek Energy Realignment To Avert Tariffs 

Environment, Science & Technology

Vietnam will launch a $20 billion credit package -- worth about 4.7% of gross domestic product and 3.8% of total domestic credit, according to the State Bank of Vietnam -- backed by 21 banks to finance infrastructure and technology investments to maintain high growth amid pending U.S. tariffs, Nikkei Asia reported on May 9.

Vietnam: Hanoi Issuing Rare $20B Credit Package Amid Tariff Pressures

Russia

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Moscow, Russia, on May 7-9 and released a series of joint statements, the South China Morning Post reported on May 9.

China, Russia: Xi and Putin Meet To Celebrate World War II Anniversary

Two Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, or PLAN, frigates and one coast guard vessel confronted a Philippine Navy vessel near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, with one PLAN vessel crossing the bow of the Philippine Navy vessel and blocking its path in a high-risk naval maneuver just 11.8 nautical miles from the reef, The South China Morning Post reported May 8. 

China, Philippines: PLAN Frigates Block Philippine Warship in Rare Naval Confrontation

Switzerland

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will meet in Switzerland on May 10-11 for trade talks, Bloomberg reported on May 6.

China, U.S.: Trade Talks To Commence in Switzerland

Vietnam lodged formal diplomatic protests on May 4 against China and the Philippines over their recent actions at Sandy Cay in the South China Sea, demanding they respect Hanoi’s sovereignty over the Spratly archipelago, the South China Morning Post reported on May 6.

Vietnam: Hanoi Joins Sandy Cay Fray as Feature Risks Becoming New South China Sea Hot Spot

Myanmar's military junta announced a new ceasefire that will last through the end of May to facilitate relief efforts after the country's devastating March 28 earthquake, Nikkei Asia reported on May 6. 

Myanmar: Junta Announces New Ceasefire Amid Sanctions and Scrutiny

Singapore held its general election on May 3, with the long-ruling People's Action Party, or PAP, securing a decisive victory by winning 87 of 97 parliamentary seats as well as 65.6% of the popular vote under Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, AP reported the same day.

Singapore: Election Yields Larger Majority for Ruling People's Action Party

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Indonesia, Thailand, U.S.: Jakarta and Bangkok Seek Energy Realignment To Avert Tariffs

Vietnam: Hanoi Issuing Rare $20B Credit Package Amid Tariff Pressures

China, Russia: Xi and Putin Meet To Celebrate World War II Anniversary

China, Philippines: PLAN Frigates Block Philippine Warship in Rare Naval Confrontation

China, U.S.: Trade Talks To Commence in Switzerland

Vietnam: Hanoi Joins Sandy Cay Fray as Feature Risks Becoming New South China Sea Hot Spot

Myanmar: Junta Announces New Ceasefire Amid Sanctions and Scrutiny

Singapore: Election Yields Larger Majority for Ruling People's Action Party

Forecasts

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