<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

Snapshots

United States

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. 

Economics

Global Trade

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.-China Relations

Assessments

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. 

Military & Security

Politics

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

Columns

On Security

Kenya

Madagascar

Nigeria

South Africa

Chile

Ecuador

Peru

Jordan

Lebanon

Morocco

Tunisia

Turkey

Serbia

Bangladesh

Nepal

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

Slovakia

Hungary

Ukraine

Russia

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

Cameroon

Cote d'Ivoire

Tanzania

Argentina

Netherlands

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

Israel

Palestinian Territories

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. Delegations from the United States and Russia, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov, respectively, will meet this week to resume conversations about their countries' bilateral relationship and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: U.S. and Russian Delegations Meet, a Still-Fragile Hamas-Israel Ceasefire 

Media

Podcasts

On Oct. 4, conservative candidate and former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi won the leadership election of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, clearing the way for her to become Japan's next prime minister after a Diet vote tentatively scheduled for mid-October.

Essential Geopolitics: Who Will Be Japan's Next Prime Minister?

Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, and other senior government members and deputies attend the second plenary session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People on March 8, 2025, in Beijing, China.

Environment, Science & Technology

The key political meeting will fill vacant Party seats and update economic and security goals, offering insights into China's policy priorities and the trajectory of Xi's political purges for the next five years. 

What To Watch for During China's Fourth Plenum

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social late on Oct. 29 that "South Korea will be building its Nuclear Powered Submarine in the Philadelphia Shipyards."

South Korea, U.S.: South Korea To Build Nuclear-Powered Submarine at U.S. Port

In an Oct. 29 post on Truth Social, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had directed the Pentagon to "start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis" with Russia and China.

U.S.: Trump Calls for Resumption of Nuclear Weapons Testing

Mali

Foreign missions accredited to Mali, including those representing the United States and Australia, have called on their nationals to immediately leave Mali amid a worsening jihadist insurgency now threatening the capital, Bamako, Radio France Internationale reported on Oct. 29.

Mali: Foreign Missions Order Nationals To Leave Mali as Jihadists Double Down on Attacks Near Bamako

The new leader of Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang, or KMT, Cheng Li-wun, reiterated her objections to the government's plan to raise defense spending to 5% of Taiwan's gross domestic product by 2030, citing financial concerns, Focus Taiwan reported on Oct. 29.

Taiwan, U.S.: New Opposition Head Rejects Defense Hike, Risking U.S. Ire

U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung reached a trade deal to lower U.S. tariffs on South Korean goods, including automobiles, from 25% to 15%, Yonhap News Agency reported on Oct. 29. 

South Korea, U.S.: Trade Deal Reached, To Put Pressure on Japan

Chinese President Xi Jinping published an explanation of China's 15th five-year plan for economic development from 2026-30, noting that amid foreign uncertainty, consumption and stable growth were key, Xinhua reported on Oct. 28.

China: President Xi Explains Five-Year Plan for 2026-30

Energy

U.S. President Donald Trump and new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met in Tokyo on Oct. 28, where Trump pledged to support Takaichi, adding, "We are an ally at the strongest level," Bloomberg reported.

Japan, U.S.: Trump and Takaichi Meet, Sign Critical Minerals, Tech, Trade Agreements

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations signed the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (CAFTA) 3.0 upgrade at the ASEAN leaders' summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Channel News Asia reported on Oct. 28. 

China, ASEAN: Trade Pact Upgrade To Expand Bloc's Market Access

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

South Korea, U.S.: South Korea To Build Nuclear-Powered Submarine at U.S. Port

U.S.: Trump Calls for Resumption of Nuclear Weapons Testing

Mali: Foreign Missions Order Nationals To Leave Mali as Jihadists Double Down on Attacks Near Bamako

Taiwan, U.S.: New Opposition Head Rejects Defense Hike, Risking U.S. Ire

South Korea, U.S.: Trade Deal Reached, To Put Pressure on Japan

China: President Xi Explains Five-Year Plan for 2026-30

Japan, U.S.: Trump and Takaichi Meet, Sign Critical Minerals, Tech, Trade Agreements

China, ASEAN: Trade Pact Upgrade To Expand Bloc's Market Access

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