<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

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Thailand

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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

A Chinese navy ship (background left) is seen while an Australian navy ship (right) takes part in a maritime cooperative activity with the Philippines and Canada in the disputed waters of the South China Sea on Sept. 3, 2025.

Energy

Military & Security

Politics

China, the Philippines and Vietnam's efforts to rebalance coercive activity with diplomatic engagement have temporarily lowered escalation risks, but persistent rivalries ensure long-term volatility.

In the South China Sea, Managed Tension Masks Long-Term Volatility

Canada

Peru

United States

Iran

Israel

Lebanon

Hungary

A digital screen displaying news of U.S.-Iran peace talks April 10 in Islamabad. The United States and Iran are set to begin contentious talks April 11 in Islamabad, Pakistan, with disputes over the 10-point proposal as a framework for discussions and major gaps between U.S. and Iranian demands.

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

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Iran Talks, Hungarians Vote

U.S.-Iran Relations

Vietnamese Communist Party general secretary To Lam speaks during the opening session of the National Assembly in Hanoi on April 6, 2026.

The leadership consolidation points to a governing model focused on speed, discipline and execution, albeit with increased risks stemming from reduced internal debate and fewer institutional checks.

Vietnam's Lam Makes History by Assuming Dual Role of Party Leader and President

Media

Cuba

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Venezuela

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Forecast Webcast

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2026 Second-Quarter Geopolitical Forecast.

2026 Second-Quarter Forecast Webcast

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi answers questions at a legislative budget committee session in Tokyo on April 7, 2026, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) looks on. 

Economics

Japan's ability to sustain increased spending on defense and other strategic investments in the coming years will be constrained by sluggish economic growth, high government debt and a challenging geopolitical landscape.

Reviewing Japan's New Budget: Balancing Spending Hikes and Fiscal Reality

Columns

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The Geopolitics of Demographics

Geopolitics of Demographics

Demographic decline, driven by falling fertility rates worldwide, is likely irreversible but will also increasingly differentiate countries based on their ability to adapt through sound immigration, labor, technological and fiscal policies.

Adapting to Demographic Decline: Policy Tradeoffs and Global Divergences

Snapshots

Afghanistan

India

Nepal

Pakistan

A freight train carrying cargo containers rides along a railway track in Ajmer, India, on Aug. 26, 2025.

Global Trade

New Delhi's decisions to permit specific imports and fast-track minority investments highlight its strategy of addressing critical manufacturing shortages, though relations are unlikely to extend beyond low-level confidence-building measures.

India Cautiously Opens up to Chinese Investment

Djibouti

Damage at the Azadi Sport Complex in the Iranian capital of Tehran on April 3.

The Weekly Rundown: The Iran War Continues, Taiwan's KMT Restarts China Talks

Myanmar's then-military chief Min Aung Hlaing prepares to deliver a speech during a memorial event at the Myanmar International Convention Center in Naypyidaw on March 28, 2026, to mark the first anniversary since a 7.7-magnitude tremor killed more than 3,800 people in Myanmar.

Myanmar's transition from military to civilian governance will not lead to a meaningful transfer of power, nor will it impact the country's civil war.

Myanmar's Government Transitions to Civilian Rule in Name Only

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) answers questions during a plenary session of the House of Representatives at Parliament on March 26 in Tokyo. Poor ties with China under Japan's new premier portend industrial disruptions in Japan, and supply chain and defense cooperation with regional partners like South Korea and the United States.

Poor ties with China under Japan's new premier portend industrial disruptions in Japan, and supply chain and defense cooperation with regional partners like South Korea and the United States.

A New Leader in Japan and an Old Feud With China

Thailand said it will accelerate a long-aspired landbridge project linking new ports on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand across its Isthmus of Kra in the south of the country, arguing that the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has underscored the value of controlling alternative transport routes, Bloomberg reported on April 20.

Thailand: Hormuz Shock Rekindles Bangkok's Landbridge Ambition, but the Project Still Faces Long Odds

Kazakhstan

Environment, Science & Technology

China's technology conglomerate Tencent acquired a 3.2% stake in Kazakhstan's financial technology company Kaspi.kz for about $518 million through the purchase of American depositary receipts, Bloomberg reported on April 20. 

Kazakhstan, China: China's Tencent Acquires Stake in Kaspi.kz

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, where both leaders pledged to boost bilateral trade from the current $27 billion to $50 billion by 2030 by strengthening supply chains, improving market access and increasing investment, Reuters reported on April 20.

India, South Korea: Bilateral Talks Prioritize Trade

France

The Philippines and the United States began the largest iteration of annual Balikatan military drills yet, running through May 8 with more than 17,000 troops, including around 10,000 U.S. personnel, and expanded participation from allies including Japan -- which is participating in live-fire drills for the first time -- Australia, Canada, France and New Zealand, AP reported on April 20.

Asia-Pacific: Balikatan Military Drills Largest Ever as China Launches Parallel Exercises

The Philippines joined the semiconductor-focused, U.S.-led Pax Silica coalition and agreed to host a 4,000-acre Economic Security Zone on the island of Luzon, a U.S.-administered industrial hub on Philippine soil intended to anchor allied supply chains outside China, The Wall Street Journal reported on April 16. 

Philippines, U.S.: Washington and Manila To Launch Strategic Manufacturing Push in Luzon

On April 16, Australia released its 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program, saying defense spending will rise to 3% of gross domestic product by 2033 "under the NATO approach" from its current approximate 2%.

Australia: Canberra To Increase Defense Spending to 3% of GDP by 2033

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Brunei and Malaysia to secure refined fuel support and received assurances from both governments that they will prioritize excess fuel exports to Australia and keep essential energy trade flowing, Nikkei Asia reported on April 16. 

Australia, Malaysia, Brunei: Canberra Turns to Southeast Asia as Refinery Fire Deepens Fuel Risks

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, where the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in defense procurement, defense industrial cooperation and energy transition work, AFP reported on April 15.

Indonesia, France: Paris Visit Advances Defense Buildout as Jakarta Broadens Strategic Options

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Thailand: Hormuz Shock Rekindles Bangkok's Landbridge Ambition, but the Project Still Faces Long Odds

Kazakhstan, China: China's Tencent Acquires Stake in Kaspi.kz

India, South Korea: Bilateral Talks Prioritize Trade

Asia-Pacific: Balikatan Military Drills Largest Ever as China Launches Parallel Exercises

Philippines, U.S.: Washington and Manila To Launch Strategic Manufacturing Push in Luzon

Australia: Canberra To Increase Defense Spending to 3% of GDP by 2033

Australia, Malaysia, Brunei: Canberra Turns to Southeast Asia as Refinery Fire Deepens Fuel Risks

Indonesia, France: Paris Visit Advances Defense Buildout as Jakarta Broadens Strategic Options

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