<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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France

Palestinians on Oct. 10 on Al-Rashid road headed toward Gaza City. U.S. President Donald Trump said he might visit the Middle East just as 20 hostages are meant to be released by Hamas after surviving two years in captivity as the White House pushes for the solidification of a frail ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Military & Security

Politics

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

The Weekly Rundown: Trump Tries To Solidify the Gaza Ceasefire, a Presidential Vote in Cameroon

Tetsuo Saito, the leader of Japan's Komeito party, attends a meeting at the Diet in Tokyo on Oct. 10, 2025.

The collapse of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's longstanding coalition with Komeito increases the likelihood of a fragile opposition government taking power, which could strain U.S.-Japan trade ties while improving Tokyo's regional diplomatic prospects.

End of an Era: Japan's 26-Year Coalition Government Falls Apart

Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected LDP leader, on Oct. 4 in Tokyo.

Economics

Takaichi will lean into populism, spurring near-term growth but exacerbating long-term economic challenges, while her nationalism will bolster Japan's military and boost U.S. ties even as it strains those with Japan's neighbors.

Japan's Conservative Takaichi Set To Become Next Prime Minister

Syria

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The assembly hall of the Syrian parliament Oct. 1 in Damascus. An Oct. 5 indirect election for parliament will mark the first time Syrians have had an electoral say in their government since the 1960s.

The Weekly Rundown: Japan's Election, Syria's Political Transition

The candidates running in the leadership election of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party -- (from left to right) Takayuki Kobayashi, Toshimitsu Motegi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Sanae Takaichi and Shinjiro Koizumi -- pose after delivering speeches at the kick-off of the campaign in Tokyo on Sept. 22, 2025. 

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Oct. 4 vote for party president and therefore prime minister will influence the trajectory of Japan's fiscal policy and foreign relations.

Japan's LDP Leadership Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

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Forecast Webcast

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2025 Fourth-Quarter Forecast.

2025 Fourth-Quarter Forecast Webcast

U.S.-China Relations

Iran

The U.N. Security Council holds a meeting on Iran at the U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, on Sept. 19, 2025. 

Energy

The increased isolation will make Iran more reliant on China and Russia, while the added economic strain could fuel domestic protests and empower Iranian hard-liners calling for more aggressive action against the West.

U.N. Sanctions Snapback: What's Next for Iran?

U.S.-Iran Relations

The fourth quarter will bring shifting trade tactics, evolving wars, and pivotal elections and flashpoints worldwide that will test governments’ stability and market confidence.

2025 Fourth-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

United Kingdom

Dignitaries attend a U.N. Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestinian statehood, during the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 23, 2025, in New York City. 

Western countries' growing recognition of Palestinian statehood is largely symbolic and will likely galvanize Israel's push for West Bank annexation, risking further Israeli diplomatic isolation abroad and sporadic violence at home.

The West's Growing Support for Palestinian Statehood Will Have Limited Concrete Impacts

Guyana

Ukraine

The President of the 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly and former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks during a General Assembly meeting to vote on a two-state solution to the Palestinian question on Sept. 12 at the United Nations in New York. Countries including Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom will likely formally recognize Palestinian statehood over the next several days at the assembly.

The Weekly Rundown: Western Countries Recognize Palestine, the EU Discusses a 'Drone Wall'

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the United States will impose a 100% tariff on Chinese goods on top of existing tariffs, effective Nov. 1 or sooner, in response to new Chinese export licensing requirements announced the previous day, the president said in an Oct. 10 Truth Social post.

U.S., China: Trump Announces New 100% Tariff on China, Export Controls on Critical Software

Taiwanese President William Lai gave a speech on Oct. 10, Taiwan's National Day, during which he significantly toned down anti-China and pro-sovereignty rhetoric compared with his 2024 speech, though he still urged China to renounce the use of force against Taiwan. 

Taiwan, China: Lai Tones Down China Rhetoric, Focuses on Economy

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened in an Oct. 10 Truth Social post to levy high tariffs or export curbs on China in response to Beijing's recent expansion of rare earth export curbs. 

U.S., China: Trump Threatens Retaliation for China's Expanded Rare Earth Curbs

Mexico

Mexican lawmakers will pause until late November discussions around President Claudia Sheinbaum's proposal to impose up to 50% tariffs on 1,400 imported goods from China and other Asian countries with which Mexico does not have a free trade agreement, Bloomberg reported Oct. 9.  

Mexico: Congress Pauses Discussions on Tariffs Targeting Chinese Goods

Cyber

Environment, Science & Technology

The United States is considering issuing an "initial determination" that TP-Link Systems poses a national security threat, which could pave the way for a ban or restriction of the Shenzhen-based company's U.S. operations, Bloomberg reported on Oct. 9.

U.S., China: U.S. Considering Initial Determination That China's TP-Link Poses National Security Threat

China's Ministry of Commerce on Oct. 9 released licensing requirements for exports by Chinese domestic entities of rare earth processing technologies and for overseas exports (including by foreign companies) for which Chinese rare earths comprise at least 0.1% of the value.

China: New Rare Earth Export Controls Seek To Regulate Foreign Production

India

Australia and India signed a submarine agreement, pledged deeper information sharing and outlined defense industrial collaboration, AP reported on Oct. 9.

Australia, India: Canberra, New Delhi Sign Submarine Pact

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan visited Myanmar's capital, Naypyidaw, to meet junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and discuss Myanmar's preparations for its upcoming Dec. 28 election, Reuters reported on Oct. 9.

Malaysia, Myanmar: ASEAN Reengages as Junta Preps for December Election

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., China: Trump Announces New 100% Tariff on China, Export Controls on Critical Software

Taiwan, China: Lai Tones Down China Rhetoric, Focuses on Economy

U.S., China: Trump Threatens Retaliation for China's Expanded Rare Earth Curbs

Mexico: Congress Pauses Discussions on Tariffs Targeting Chinese Goods

U.S., China: U.S. Considering Initial Determination That China's TP-Link Poses National Security Threat

China: New Rare Earth Export Controls Seek To Regulate Foreign Production

Australia, India: Canberra, New Delhi Sign Submarine Pact

Malaysia, Myanmar: ASEAN Reengages as Junta Preps for December Election

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