<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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Economics

Global Trade

Politics

The court ruling nullifies most -- though not all -- of the Trump administration's tariffs, giving U.S. trading partners temporary breathing room in negotiations while the White House searches for alternative trade measures.

The White House's Tariff Ambitions Bend -- But Do Not Break -- Under the Weight of a Court Ruling

Assessments

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto speaks during an economic event in Jakarta on April 8, 2025.

Military & Security

The president's efforts to consolidate power via welfare populism and security-minded governance could face challenges if economic headwinds strengthen, especially amid looming U.S. tariff threats.

How Subianto Is Making His Mark on Indonesian Politics

The ASEAN logo May 15 in front of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia will host the first of the two annual summits of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on May 26.

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

The Weekly Rundown: Trans-Atlantic Trade Talks Intensify, Malaysia Hosts Two Summits

Columns

On Geopolitics

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The apparent ineffectiveness of consumer subsidies in raising retail sales, paired with the government's continued resistance to stimulus, suggests that China's post-COVID consumer activity will remain depressed for the foreseeable future.

Gauging the Success of China's Consumer Subsidies Program, One Year Later

U.S.-China Relations

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton concedes defeat during a Liberal Party election night event on May 3, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. 

The collapse of the center-right Liberal-National Coalition (LNC) will grant the ruling Labor Party freer rein to implement energy transition, industrial investment and fiscal reform policies.

Collapse of Australia's Conservative Coalition Reshapes Political Landscape, Further Empowers Labor

Supporters of Kim Moon Soo, the opposition candidate running in South Korea's June 3 presidential election, react during a campaign event in Seoul on May 19, 2025.

Energy

A ruling party victory would portend a continuation of Yoon's pro-business, pro-U.S. policies, while an opposition victory would see Seoul focus more on improving domestic economic equity and increasing engagement with North Korea and China.

South Korea's Presidential Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

Visitors walk down the inclined shaft at Steenkampskraal rare-earth mine on July 29, 2019, about 80 kilometers (about 50 miles) from Vanrhynsdorp, a town in Western Cape province, South Africa.

Environment, Science & Technology

U.S.-China trade tensions are increasing the risk of supply chain disruptions for critical raw materials, but companies can take steps to mitigate this danger.

Corporate America Comes to Grips With Supply Chain Risks to Critical Raw Materials

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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.

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

Azerbaijan

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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. 

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

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

France

French President Emmanuel Macron and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto signed 27 cooperation agreements during the former's state visit to Indonesia, deepening collaboration in defense and energy, among other areas, the Indonesia Business Post reported on May 29.

France, Indonesia: Paris, Jakarta Deepen Defense, Energy Ties

A senior U.S. defense official, part of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's delegation to Singapore, gave a press briefing in which he cited a desire to recalibrate U.S. Forces Korea to "reflect the realities of the regional security environment" in deterring China, Yonhap News Agency reported on May 29.

U.S., South Korea: Pentagon Confirms Aim To Reorient USFK Toward China

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio late on May 28 announced a campaign to "aggressively" revoke visas for Chinese university students with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or working in "critical fields," a category he did not define, The New York Times reported on May 29.

U.S., China: Rubio Pledges To 'Aggressively' Revoke Chinese Student Visas

Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged gunfire for roughly 10 minutes in the disputed Chong Bok area, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier, Nation Thailand reported on May 28.

Thailand, Cambodia: Border Dispute Leads to Clash, One Soldier Killed

Australia is pursuing a cautious approach to reclaiming the China-leased Port of Darwin, seeking to avoid a diplomatic backlash akin to the U.S.-Panama Canal handover dispute, Bloomberg reported on May 28.

Australia, China: Canberra Remains Intent on Port of Darwin Buyback From Beijing

Australia's conservative Liberal and National parties formally reunited, ending a brief but politically disruptive split, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported on May 28.

Australia: Conservative Coalition Reunites, Though Tensions Persist

France and Vietnam signed 14 cooperation agreements during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit in Hanoi, covering defense, satellite technology, transportation, vaccine production and a $10.25 billion Airbus aircraft deal, Bao Chinh Phu reported on May 26. 

France, Vietnam: Countries Deepen Partnership With Defense and Investment Deals

China and Indonesia signed 12 cooperation agreements during Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Jakarta, including a central bank memorandum of understanding to promote the use of yuan and rupiah in bilateral trade, the Jakarta Globe reported on May 26. 

China, Indonesia: Countries Deepen Trade Ties, Boost Yuan-Rupiah Mechanisms

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

France, Indonesia: Paris, Jakarta Deepen Defense, Energy Ties

U.S., South Korea: Pentagon Confirms Aim To Reorient USFK Toward China

U.S., China: Rubio Pledges To 'Aggressively' Revoke Chinese Student Visas

Thailand, Cambodia: Border Dispute Leads to Clash, One Soldier Killed

Australia, China: Canberra Remains Intent on Port of Darwin Buyback From Beijing

Australia: Conservative Coalition Reunites, Though Tensions Persist

France, Vietnam: Countries Deepen Partnership With Defense and Investment Deals

China, Indonesia: Countries Deepen Trade Ties, Boost Yuan-Rupiah Mechanisms

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