<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. 

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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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Europe

A digital illustration of Europe.

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Environment, Science & Technology

Politics

The EU's push to reduce its reliance on foreign technology suppliers risks angering both China and the U.S., while execution will be hindered by domestic industrial constraints and internal political divisions.

Key Takeaways From the EU's Tech Sovereignty Package

Peru

Iran

Israel

Lebanon

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Russia

A banner depicting the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on June 3 in Tehran. There will be an elevated risk of sporadic U.S.-Iran clashes over the next week, as no signs of a diplomatic breakthrough in U.S.-Iran negotiations on a memorandum of understanding have emerged.

Military & Security

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

The Weekly Rundown: Armenian Elections, Xi Goes to North Korea

U.S.-Iran Relations

Media

Podcasts

How has U.S. grand strategy in the Pacific changed over time?

The Decision Advantage: Taiwan Arms Sales and the U.S.-China Trade War

U.S.-China Relations

Snapshots

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) gestures to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un before a military parade in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Sept. 3, 2025. 

North Korea's growing relations with Russia and potential reengagement with the U.S. appear to be driving China to pursue a rapprochement after years of diplomatic inaction.

Xi-Kim Summit Signals a Thaw in Long-Frozen Ties Between China and North Korea

India

(From left to right) Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hold a joint press conference after their Quad meeting in New Delhi on May 26, 2026.

The meeting proved the grouping is still functional, but it faces strong constraints in turning ambitious coordination frameworks into functional maritime, infrastructure, critical minerals and energy initiatives that blunt Chinese regional influence.

Takeaways From Quad Summit: New Initiatives, Enduring Constraints and Future Uncertainty

Police personnel arrive outside the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay, Metro Manila, on May 13, 2026.

Intensifying Marcos-Duterte tensions, fueled by the vice president's impeachment and the ICC's attempted arrest of a Duterte-aligned senator, are testing Philippine institutions and threatening policy gridlock before the 2028 presidential race.

The Escalating Marcos-Duterte Feud Threatens Philippine Institutions

Kazakhstan

A cargo ship anchored May 16 in the Strait of Hormuz near Larak Island, Iran. Major gaps in negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program persist, and the U.S.-Iran ceasefire will remain fragile over the next week.

The Weekly Rundown: Rubio Visits India, a Fragile U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

The Japanese flag flies outside the Bank of Japan (BoJ) headquarters in central Tokyo on March 19, 2024. 

Monetary tightening will increase government interest payments and fiscal deficits, but the impact on debt dynamics and defense spending will remain manageable, provided the central bank avoids large-scale government bond sales.

How Will Rising Interest Rates Impact Japan's Debt Outlook?

Mexico

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sept. 3, 2025, in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

The Weekly Rundown: Elevated Tensions in the Middle East, Putin Heads to Beijing

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026.

Despite a mutual desire to stabilize relations, Xi and Trump's meetings produced few tangible results, sustaining the risk of future tariff escalations, export restrictions and other coercive measures.

Xi-Trump Talks Fail To Move the Needle on Major Issues

Nepal

Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, who is currently on a four-day trip to China, said he discussed boosting cooperation in trade, agriculture, health, tourism, and science and technology research with Chinese officials, Reuters reported June 16.

Nepal: Foreign Minister Visits China Days After Visiting India

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing during the latter's state visit to China, where the two leaders signed 18 cooperation agreements, Xinhua reported June 16.

China, Myanmar: Beijing Gives Myanmar's New Government a Legitimacy Boost

Taiwan's National Security Bureau announced online on June 15 that it had established a reporting hotline to encourage Chinese citizens, including public officials, to provide intelligence to Taipei about China's ruling regime.

Taiwan: Intelligence Hotline Raises Risk of Chinese Retaliation

Hong Kong SAR, China

Hong Kong Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Janice Tse announced on June 15 that the Hong Kong government plans to issue its first five-year plan (FYP) for economic development in the third quarter of 2026, in line with Beijing's national 15th Five-Year Plan for 2026-30.

Hong Kong: Five-Year Economic Plan To Mimic China-Style Mixed Economy

Cheng Li-wun, the chair of Taiwan's main opposition party, Kuomintang, met with six U.S. members of Congress on June 12 in Washington, D.C., including Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, who urged Cheng to fund more U.S. arms purchases, and Montana Sen. Steve Daines, a close ally of President Donald Trump.

Taiwan, U.S.: U.S. Snubs Taiwanese Opposition Head, Boding Ill for Cross-Strait Talks

A top official with Danantara Sumber Daya Indonesia, Indonesia's new state-owned entity created to oversee commodity exports, said the agency will review export prices and trade data but will not directly sell commodities, replace private exporters or take over existing contracts, Bloomberg reported on June 12.

Indonesia: Policy Backlash Compels Export Rule Clarification as Thousands Protest

Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told parliament that the European Union must strengthen its trade tool kit to counter competitive distortions and shore up European security, signaling support for tougher trade measures ahead of the June 18-19 EU summit, though he stopped short of naming China explicitly, Bloomberg reported on June 11.

EU, China: Merz Backs Tougher China Trade Measures Ahead of Brussels Summit

South Korea's foreign ministry on June 10 denied reports that Japan had asked to resume exports of Japanese seafood to South Korea, restricted since 2013, adding that "consumers' confidence in the safety of Japanese seafood must first be restored."

South Korea, Japan: Seoul Outlines Limits to Cooperation With Tokyo

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Nepal: Foreign Minister Visits China Days After Visiting India

China, Myanmar: Beijing Gives Myanmar's New Government a Legitimacy Boost

Taiwan: Intelligence Hotline Raises Risk of Chinese Retaliation

Hong Kong: Five-Year Economic Plan To Mimic China-Style Mixed Economy

Taiwan, U.S.: U.S. Snubs Taiwanese Opposition Head, Boding Ill for Cross-Strait Talks

Indonesia: Policy Backlash Compels Export Rule Clarification as Thousands Protest

EU, China: Merz Backs Tougher China Trade Measures Ahead of Brussels Summit

South Korea, Japan: Seoul Outlines Limits to Cooperation With Tokyo

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