<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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Campaign posters Nov. 6 ahead of Nov. 11 Iraqi parliamentary elections in central Baghdad.

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Politics

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

The Weekly Rundown: Iraqi Elections, a U.S.-China Deal Enters Effect

U.S.-China Relations

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The Geopolitics of Trade

Global Trade

Over the next decade, Kenya and Tanzania will compete for the title of East Africa's leading trade gateway, particularly as global demand for Central Africa's critical minerals grows. 

The Geopolitics of Trade: The Race to Unlock East Africa, Part 1 

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a photo session for participants of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 on Sept. 1, 2025, in Tianjin, China.

Military & Security

The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) outlines Beijing's intent to continue current economic policies, pursue new industrial priorities, further securitize Chinese society, escalate Xi's anti-corruption campaign, and use lawfare to fend off foreign trade disputes.

President Xi Lays Out China's Plans for the Next Five Years

Snapshots

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and China's President Xi Jinping leave after their talks at the Gimhae Air Base, in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025. 

The framework deal favors China by boosting its export competitiveness, but future escalations with the U.S. are likely over the coming year due to differing interpretations of the new measures and ongoing trade tensions.

China Secures Favorable U.S. Trade Deal, New Escalations Still Likely

U.S. President Donald Trump (center) poses for a group photo with the leaders of (L-R) Singapore, East Timor, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia and Laos during the ASEAN leaders summit on Oct. 26, 2025. 

The summit highlighted the Southeast Asian bloc's attempts to boost internal unity and economic integration amid the U.S.-China rivalry, but it also exposed structural divides and external pressures that hinder unified action and leave ASEAN states vulnerable to coercion.

The Takeaways From the 2025 ASEAN Summit

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Madagascar

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Fire rages through the Singha Durbar, the main administrative building for the Nepal government, in Kathmandu on Sept. 9, 2025, after youth protesters set fire to the building. 

Recent events in Nepal, Madagascar and elsewhere show how digitally coordinated, leaderless protests can succeed, but eventually face even larger challenges in sustaining the momentum for change.

Worldwide Gen Z Protesters May Be Disappointed With Their Success

On Geopolitics

Germany

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European Council President Antonio Costa and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrive for a meeting of the European Council on Oct. 23. The EU pursuit of geopolitical independence is being severely tested by Russia's direct security aggression, China's control over critical raw materials and competing economic pressures from the United States.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The EU pursuit of geopolitical independence is being severely tested by Russia's direct security aggression, China's control over critical raw materials and competing economic pressures from the United States.

Europe's Dual Challenge From China and Russia

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Supporters of Argentine President Javier Milei's Liberty Advances (LLA) party wave flags during a campaign rally in Rosario, Argentina, on Oct. 23, 2025.

The Weekly Rundown: Argentina Holds Midterm Elections, Trump Travels to Asia

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) and U.S. President Donald Trump speak to reporters during a bilateral meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Oct. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. 

Trump and Albanese agreed to tighten defense and supply chain integration as a way to reduce their countries' reliance on China, but industrial bottlenecks mean implementation will be slow.

U.S.-Australia Leadership Summit Yields Critical Minerals Pact, AUKUS Reaffirmation

Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Oct. 21, 2025.

Sanae Takaichi's appointment as prime minister will reduce short-term political instability in Japan and strengthen U.S. ties, but her conservative government will struggle to recover domestic support and could alienate neighboring countries.

New Premier Takaichi a Quick Fix for Japan's Long-Term Political Problems

An official from South Korea's Office of the President said the country plans to build its first nuclear-powered submarine domestically with enriched uranium from the United States, Reuters reported on Nov. 7. 

South Korea, U.S.: Seoul Claims Nuclear Submarine Will Be Built Domestically

China accepted a shipment of Japanese scallops, marking the first instance of China importing Japanese seafood since Beijing banned these goods in August 2023, Jiemian reported on Nov. 7.

China, Japan: China Resumes Japanese Seafood Imports in Sign of Temporary Truce

The CEO of German car parts supplier AUMOVIO said shipments of chips from Dutch-headquartered semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia's China unit have resumed and that the company received an exemption from Chinese export controls, the Financial Times reported on Nov. 7.

EU, China: Nexperia Chip Exports Pave Way for Netherlands To Relinquish Control of Dutch Chipmaker

In reference to the recent U.S.-South Korea plan to build a nuclear submarine, new Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on a TBS television program on Nov. 6, "all of the surrounding countries have nuclear submarines."

Japan, U.S.: Defense Minister Says Japan Wants Nuclear Submarines

Energy

The Indonesian government announced that new industrial permits would not be granted to projects that plan to produce only intermediate nickel products such as nickel pig iron, matte and mixed hydroxide precipitate unless they also include plans for further in-country processing, Bloomberg reported Nov. 6.

Indonesia: New Nickel Permits Halted To Enforce Downstream Processing

U.S. Republican Rep. for West Virginia Riley Moore pushed back against China's stated opposition to recent threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to use force in Nigeria, stressing on X that China "would not dictate [U.S.] foreign policy," Sahara Reporters reported on Nov. 4.

Nigeria, U.S.: Trump Ally Doubles Down on Threats Amid Fresh Claims of Boko Haram Genocide of Christians

When asked whether U.S. Forces Korea could be used in a Taiwan or South China Sea contingency, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on Nov. 4 that "There's no doubt flexibility for regional contingencies is something we would take a look at," Bloomberg reported on Nov. 4.

South Korea, U.S.: Security Meeting Addresses Shifting Mission of USFK, Construction of Nuclear Sub

South Korea's National Intelligence Service said during a closed-door parliamentary briefing on Nov. 4 that it had detected signs that North Korea was preparing for a summit between leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Yonhap News Agency reported the same day.

North Korea, U.S.: Trump-Kim Summit a Near-Miss, Meeting Expected After March

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

South Korea, U.S.: Seoul Claims Nuclear Submarine Will Be Built Domestically

China, Japan: China Resumes Japanese Seafood Imports in Sign of Temporary Truce

EU, China: Nexperia Chip Exports Pave Way for Netherlands To Relinquish Control of Dutch Chipmaker

Japan, U.S.: Defense Minister Says Japan Wants Nuclear Submarines

Indonesia: New Nickel Permits Halted To Enforce Downstream Processing

Nigeria, U.S.: Trump Ally Doubles Down on Threats Amid Fresh Claims of Boko Haram Genocide of Christians

South Korea, U.S.: Security Meeting Addresses Shifting Mission of USFK, Construction of Nuclear Sub

North Korea, U.S.: Trump-Kim Summit a Near-Miss, Meeting Expected After March

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