<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

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South Korea

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Thailand

Tonga

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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

Assessments

South Africa

United Kingdom

Portugal

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Romania

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on May 21 during an official trip to the United States.

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

The Weekly Rundown: South Africa's U.S. Reset, Three European Elections

Azerbaijan

Belarus

Kazakhstan

Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam (L) address journalists following their talks in Moscow, Russia, on May 10, 2025, during celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. 

Economics

Energy

Military & Security

Politics

Vietnam is strengthening its relationships with Eurasian countries, especially Russia, as it looks to further diversify economic and energy ties away from great powers amid an unstable geopolitical landscape.

Russia-Vietnam Ties Are Set To Grow Following Lam's Eurasia Tour

Snapshots

United States

Supporters of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attend a campaign rally in Mandaluyong, the Philippines, on May 9, 2025, ahead of the midterm elections. 

President Marcos' diminished Senate majority could slow defense deals in the short term and tilt foreign policy back toward neutrality or a China-friendly stance in the long term.

Midterm Elections Deal a Blow to the Philippines' U.S.-Friendly President

Containers are seen at China's Lianyungang port in eastern Jiangsu province on May 1, 2025. 

Global Trade

Although the U.S.-China trade deal will bring short-term economic relief, negotiations over a broader agreement will remain fraught, particularly since the rapid reduction of U.S. tariffs will embolden China to implement strong retaliation when talks falter.

Despite Tariff Reprieve, a Broader U.S.-China Deal Will Remain Elusive

U.S.-China Relations

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

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. 

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

Europe

A digital illustration of the Chinese and EU flags.

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

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

During a televised presidential debate on May 18, frontrunner candidate Lee Jae-myung from South Korea's Democratic Party recognized the importance of the U.S. alliance, but added "relationships with China and Russia [were] also important and must be managed wisely," and that "diplomacy must always prioritize national interest and be approached pragmatically," the South China Mornign Post reported May 19.

South Korea: Presidential Frontrunner Touts Rebalancing Ties With China

Cyber

Japan's ruling party and most major opposition parties in the Diet passed the Active Cyber Defense Law, which will enable the government to take offensive cyber action during peacetime against overseas targets believed to be facilitating cyberattacks against Japan, The Asahi Shimbun reported on May 16. 

Japan: New Cyber Offensive Law Highlights Broad Support for Curbing Pacifism

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced their countries have officially elevated bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, marking the highest level of diplomatic ties short of a military alliance, Vietnamese state-run Bao Chinh Phu reported on May 16.

Vietnam, Thailand: Governments Upgrade Ties to Top Tier

The Indonesian military conducted an operation on May 14 in Papua island's Intan Jaya administrative zone that resulted in the deaths of 18 suspected separatist militants and three civilians, as well as the evacuation of around 1,000 residents and the seizure of a sizable cache of weapons and ammunition, The Jakarta Post reported the next day.

Indonesia: Military Operation in West Papua Kills More Than 20

Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said Canberra would resist U.S. pressure to reduce trade with China, emphasizing that China remains Australia’s largest export market by a wide margin, The Australian Financial Review reported on May 15.

Australia, U.S., China: Canberra Rejects U.S. Trade Pressure on Beijing

Colombia

Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed an agreement for Colombia to join China's Belt and Road Initiative, El Colombiano reported on May 14.

Colombia: Bogota's BRI Membership To Spur Chinese Investments, Risk Deteriorating Ties With U.S.

Taiwan's legislative opposition passed a bill on May 13 to extend nuclear reactor lifespans from 40 to 60 years, the Taipei Times reported the next day.

Taiwan: Effort To Revive Nuclear Power Likely To Fail, Perpetuate China Risks

China and Cambodia initiated the 2025 iteration of their annual Golden Dragon military drills, the largest ever between the two countries and the largest ever in Cambodian history, which will run through May 28, AFP reported May 14.

China, Cambodia: Beijing, Phnom Penh Kick Off Largest Ever Joint Drills

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

South Korea: Presidential Frontrunner Touts Rebalancing Ties With China

Japan: New Cyber Offensive Law Highlights Broad Support for Curbing Pacifism

Vietnam, Thailand: Governments Upgrade Ties to Top Tier

Indonesia: Military Operation in West Papua Kills More Than 20

Australia, U.S., China: Canberra Rejects U.S. Trade Pressure on Beijing

Colombia: Bogota's BRI Membership To Spur Chinese Investments, Risk Deteriorating Ties With U.S.

Taiwan: Effort To Revive Nuclear Power Likely To Fail, Perpetuate China Risks

China, Cambodia: Beijing, Phnom Penh Kick Off Largest Ever Joint Drills

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