<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

Canada

United States

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.

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Military & Security

Politics

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

Global 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

Sub-Saharan Africa

Iran

Israel

Europe

Germany

France

Italy

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

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: 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

Snapshots

Cargo shipping containers are seen stacked at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California, on April 15, 2025. 

Regardless of any short-term concessions, the U.S. will likely eventually expand the scope of its technology restrictions against China, likely prompting Beijing to retaliate by once again restricting exports of rare earths or other critical raw materials.

U.S.-China Framework To Implement Trade Deal Will Only Temporarily Ease Tensions

U.S.-China Relations

Ukraine

An image shows a row of flags from the G7 members.

The June 15-17 summit will provide an opportunity for the bloc to discuss trade tensions and the war in Ukraine, but the meeting is more likely to expose transatlantic divisions over Trump's tariffs and reluctance to pressure Russia.

What To Expect From the First G7 Summit Following Trump's Return to the White House

Media

Podcasts

How will Australian foreign policy change in the coming years?

Essential Geopolitics: The Future of Australia's Political Landscape

A stock image showing industrial magnet parts.

China will likely continue to wield export restrictions on rare earth elements and related magnets in response to future U.S. restrictions, sustaining a high risk of supply chain disruptions, particularly for automakers.

In Trade War With U.S., China Finds a Pressure Point With Magnet Restrictions

Kenya

South Africa

Palestinian Territories

Poland

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: A U.S. Tariff Ruling, Israel's Opposition Seeks To Dissolve the Knesset

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

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

Niger

Turkey

Russia

Energy

Nigerien authorities announced that they would nationalize uranium mining company SOMAIR, a subsidiary of France's state-owned Orano that owns the country's only operating uranium mine, Reuters reported on June 20. 

Niger: Junta To Nationalize Subsidiary of France's Orano 

The Thai coalition government's second-largest party, the United Thai Nation Party, is threatening to exit the government if Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra does not resign, the Bangkok Post reported on June 20. 

Thailand: Ruling Coalition Teeters on Collapse, Economy Suffers

During Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's state visit to Russia, Russia and Indonesia signed a strategic partnership and expanded trade, and Indonesia also concluded a free trade pact with the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, DW and the Jakarta Globe reported separately on June 20.

Russia, Indonesia, Myanmar: Moscow's Footprint Deepens in Southeast Asia

Taiwan's Central Election Commission announced on June 20 that it will hold recall votes for 24 lawmakers from the opposition Kuomintang, or KMT, on July 26.

Taiwan: Recall Votes Risk Institutional Power Grabs, Street Protests

The European Union will restrict Chinese access to public procurement contracts for medical devices valued above 5 million euros ($5.7 million) starting June 30, the European Commission said in a June 20 press release.

EU, China: Brussels Limits Chinese Access to Public Medical Device Contracts

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had pledged to supply 1,000 troops for mine sweeping and 5,000 military workers for infrastructure reconstruction efforts in Russia's Kursk region, AP reported on June 18, citing Russia's TASS state media outlet.

North Korea, Russia: North Koreans To Provide Mine Sweepers, Military Construction Labor to Kursk

Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen leaked a June 15 phone call between himself and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in which the latter blamed the Thai military for recent border tensions and appeared deferential to Hun, The Bangkok Post reported on June 18.

Thailand, Cambodia: Leaked Call Drives Mass Demonstrations, Political and Escalation Risks

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrived in China for a four-day visit, his first to the country since assuming office in late 2023, The New Zealand Herald reported on June 17.

New Zealand, China: Luxon Walks Tightrope on Trade and Security in First China Visit

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Niger: Junta To Nationalize Subsidiary of France's Orano

Thailand: Ruling Coalition Teeters on Collapse, Economy Suffers

Russia, Indonesia, Myanmar: Moscow's Footprint Deepens in Southeast Asia

Taiwan: Recall Votes Risk Institutional Power Grabs, Street Protests

EU, China: Brussels Limits Chinese Access to Public Medical Device Contracts

North Korea, Russia: North Koreans To Provide Mine Sweepers, Military Construction Labor to Kursk

Thailand, Cambodia: Leaked Call Drives Mass Demonstrations, Political and Escalation Risks

New Zealand, China: Luxon Walks Tightrope on Trade and Security in First China Visit

Forecasts

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