<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

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivers a speech in parliament on the government's newly unveiled 2025-26 budget on March 25, 2025, in Canberra, Australia.

Economics

Military & Security

Unveiled just ahead of May elections, the budget marks a pivot to resource-driven growth, U.S.-aligned defense integration and domestic industrial development, but its durability will be tested.

Reading Between the Lines of Australia's 2025-26 Budget

United States

Europe

United Kingdom

India

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) walks with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (R) before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on March 17, 2025. 

Global Trade

Politics

U.S. tariff threats are pushing India to revamp negotiations over free trade agreements, but protectionist trade policies and other obstacles will challenge the progression of talks.

India Dusts Off Old FTA Negotiations Ahead of U.S. Tariffs

The Ta Moan Thom temple is seen on the border between Thailand and Cambodia.

While full-scale military conflict is unlikely, the dispute risks spurring localized border clashes, as both Cambodia and Thailand maintain entrenched military positions with no clear legal resolution.

Thai-Cambodian Tensions Flare Over Disputed Temple, Raising Fears of Clashes

Assessments

Brazil

Iran

Israel

Lebanon

Ukraine

Russia

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a joint press conference Feb. 16 at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem. Senior Israeli officials from the security and intelligence ministries will visit the United States to discuss Iran's nuclear program and Israeli border demarcation talks with Lebanon.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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

The Weekly Rundown: The U.S. and Israel Coordinate on Iran, the U.K. Chancellor Seeks Fiscal Discipline

U.S.-Iran Relations

Columns

On Geopolitics

Canada

Mexico

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks from the Oval Office on March 7, 2025, after announcing that tariffs could be imposed on Canadian dairy and lumber products within days. 

The expanding scope of Trump's trade wars, coupled with the whiplash of tariffs being enacted and then suspended, begs the question: what is driving this strategy and what, if anything, will constrain it?

Trump's Emerging Trade Doctrine

U.S.-China Relations

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is escorted by security personnel as he enters a campaign rally at Southorn Stadium in Hong Kong, China, on March 9, 2025. 

The ex-president's high-profile arrest risks factionalizing Philippine institutions and altering the landscape around May midterm elections, which will influence the country's foreign policy trajectory.

In the Philippines, Duterte's Arrest Raises the Stakes of Upcoming Elections

Americas

Energy

Trump's trade and tariff policies will create new challenges for manufacturers seeking to move their operations closer to the U.S., but broader global dynamics will likely prevent a reversal in nearshoring trends. 

The Geopolitics of Trade: Rising Threats to Nearshoring in the Americas

Saudi Arabia

Canadian flags are seen outside a building in Ottawa. 

The Weekly Rundown: Canada's Ruling Liberals Pick a New Leader, India and the EU Hold Trade Talks 

Media

Sub-Saharan Africa

Middle East and North Africa

Eurasia

South Asia

Podcasts

How might U.S. President Donald Trump's economic policy affect emerging and developing markets?

Essential Geopolitics: The Outlook for Emerging Markets

A digital map illustration of Russia.

The White House believes that restoring ties with Moscow will help it negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine and, more importantly, undermine Russia-China relations in the long run. But numerous potential pitfalls mean this approach is unlikely to pay off.

The Rationale and Risks of Trump's Push to Reengage With Russia

Bangladesh

Environment, Science & Technology

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, leading to widespread destruction and killing at least 25 people, including at least three across the border in Thailand, with the death count still rising, The New York Times reported on March 28.

Myanmar: Largest Earthquake in Over a Century Kills Dozens, Imperils BRI Projects

On March 28, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his first state visit, which began on March 26 and lasted four days, the Daily Star reported March 28.

Bangladesh, China: Yunus meets with Xi, Signing 8 MoUs and Deal on Economic and Technical Cooperation

South Korea's Acting President Han Duck-soo said in a meeting with business lobbyists that the government would "draw up response strategies" and "focus on providing tailored support" in light of the "current trade war" with the United States, the Financial Times reported March 27. 

South Korea, Japan, Taiwan: U.S. Partners Scramble to Respond to Auto Tariffs

Panama

Hong Kong SAR, China

Chinese senior officials last week told state-owned enterprises to stop all business dealings with Li Ka-shing -- senior advisor to and former chairman of private, Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings -- and his family, according to Bloomberg sources on March 27.

China: Beijing Cuts State Sector Business with Li Ka-shing to Stop Port Deal

South Korea's Oceans Minister Kang Do-hyung announced that the country had installed a floating platform in waters disputed with China in the Yellow Sea (which Seoul calls the West Sea), in response to China's recent installation of a steel structure in the same area, Reuters reported on March 26. 

China, South Korea, Japan: Maritime Spats Threaten Beijing's Diplomatic Window To Capitalize on Trump Tariffs

The Seoul High Court acquitted Lee Jae-myung, head of the main opposition Democratic Party, of charges of violating the election law by lying on the campaign trail in 2022, Yonhap News Agency reported on March 26. 

South Korea: Opposition Leader Acquitted, Clearing Way for Presidential Bid

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will visit the Philippines from March 28 to 29, where he will meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro to discuss expanded defense cooperation, Radio Free Asia reported March 25. 

Philippines, U.S.: Hegseth Visiting Manila to Reaffirm Defense Partnership

Cyber

Vietnam has approved a license for SpaceX's Starlink to operate internet services in a pilot program allowing up to 600,000 subscribers that will last through 2030, with no restrictions on foreign ownership, Reuters reported March 26. 

Vietnam: Hanoi Grants Starlink Five-Year License, Tariff Reductions on U.S. Imports

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Myanmar: Largest Earthquake in Over a Century Kills Dozens, Imperils BRI Projects

Bangladesh, China: Yunus meets with Xi, Signing 8 MoUs and Deal on Economic and Technical Cooperation

South Korea, Japan, Taiwan: U.S. Partners Scramble to Respond to Auto Tariffs

China: Beijing Cuts State Sector Business with Li Ka-shing to Stop Port Deal

China, South Korea, Japan: Maritime Spats Threaten Beijing's Diplomatic Window To Capitalize on Trump Tariffs

South Korea: Opposition Leader Acquitted, Clearing Way for Presidential Bid

Philippines, U.S.: Hegseth Visiting Manila to Reaffirm Defense Partnership

Vietnam: Hanoi Grants Starlink Five-Year License, Tariff Reductions on U.S. Imports

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