<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

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Myanmar

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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

Assessments

United States

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Russia

India

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) looks at Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Nov. 30, 2018, during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet in the coming days.

Economics

Energy

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Military & Security

Politics

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: A Trump-Putin Summit, the Deadline for a U.S.-China Tariff Pause

U.S.-China Relations

A 3D modeled town in the shape of the Chinese flag.

Trade tensions will exacerbate China's excess savings problems, but the economic situation will remain manageable

Beijing Grapples With Deflation, Overinvestment as Tariff Pressures Mount

Poland

Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Oval Office of the White House on July 22, 2025. 

Global Trade

The Weekly Rundown: Last-Minute U.S. Trade Talks, a New Polish President

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (center) speaks during a press conference next to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (left) and Thailand's acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai (right) in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on July 28, 2025. 

While the truce may hold in the short to medium term, unresolved disputes and political pressures sustain the risk of future clashes, with the next round likely to be even deadlier.

Gauging the Stability of the Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire

Snapshots

A voter leaves a booth during voting for the recall election at a polling station in Taipei, Taiwan, on July 26, 2025. 

Its victory in the recall votes will embolden the opposition KMT to press on with controversial reforms and defense spending cuts, but it will also help prevent a near-term escalation of cross-strait tensions.

A Failed Recall Emboldens Taiwan's Opposition

Canada

Mexico

Europe

A Cambodian soldier stands on a truck with a rocket launcher in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, which borders Thailand, on July 25, 2025. 

The Weekly Rundown: U.S. Tariff Deadline Passes, Thai-Cambodian Border Tensions Persist

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a luncheon at Parliament House in Canberra on June 17, 2024. 

The Australian prime minister's efforts to stabilize relations with Beijing will yield short-term economic benefits, but rising regional security concerns will ultimately limit long-term engagement.

The Challenges Facing Albanese's Bid to Reset China-Australia Relations

A ''Danger'' sign warns visitors about a fragile structure within the grounds of the Preah Vihear temple in Cambodia.

Border clashes will likely persist and could escalate if Cambodia later tries to seize disputed territory, but a full-scale war remains unlikely in the short term.

Deadly Clashes Sharply Escalate Thai-Cambodian Border Dispute

A photo taken on Feb. 21, 2025, shows Subaru vehicles bound for shipment at a port in Yokohama, Japan. 

The deal is a win for Japan's economy and its ruling party, but it may hasten Prime Minister Ishiba's exit. It will also help South Korea and Taiwan secure their own U.S. trade deals.

U.S. Trade Deal Is a Mixed Victory for Japan, a Template for Regional Partners

Egypt

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly (center right) meets with Chinese Premier Li Qiang (center left) in Cairo on July 10, 2025.

In the coming years, Egypt will deepen its economic ties with China via increased trade and investment, while simultaneously maintaining its military alliance with the U.S. to address regional security concerns.

Egypt Navigates Its Needs for Chinese Investment and U.S. Military Support

Indonesia launched its most extensive military reorganization since the Suharto era, adding 20 new regional army, navy and air force commands, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 11.

Indonesia: Jakarta Further Bolsters Military With 20 New Commands

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia will formally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly in September, joining the United Kingdom, Canada and France, The Australian Financial Review reported on Aug. 11.

Australia, Palestinian Territories: Canberra Offers Qualified Recognition of Palestine

Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung agreed to expand bilateral trade from $86.8 billion in 2024 to $150 billion by 2030, signing 10 memorandums of understanding covering nuclear and sustainable energy, high-speed rail, finance and technology cooperation, Nikkei Asia reported on Aug. 11.

Vietnam, South Korea: Countries To Boost Trade, Investment and Defense Ties

Environment, Science & Technology

Nvidia and AMD agreed to pay the U.S. government 15% of their revenues from semiconductor sales in China to secure export licenses for their H20 and MI308 chips, the Financial Times reported on Aug. 10.

U.S., China: AMD, Nvidia Offer Revenue To Secure U.S. Chip Export Licenses to China

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the phone on Aug. 8 at Putin's request, according to China's state-owned Xinhua.

China, Russia: Beijing Pressures Moscow for Progress on Ukraine Ceasefire

A spokesperson for South Korea's unification ministry said on Aug. 8 that, ahead of a U.S.-South Korea summit, the ministry is coordinating with Washington to support "peace on the Korean Peninsula and the resumption of inter-Korean ties."

South Korea, U.S.: Governments Consider Joint Pursuit of Peace With North Korea

Japanese trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa said in Washington on Aug. 7 that his U.S. interlocutors had agreed to have President Donald Trump issue a new executive order in a "timely" manner clarifying the reduction in U.S. automobile tariffs on Japan and that new U.S. tariffs on Japan will not compound with old ones, The New York Times reported on Aug. 8. 

Japan, U.S.: Automobile Tariff Pledge a Much-Needed Win for Tokyo and Ishiba

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is expected to travel to the United States around Aug. 25 to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump over three to four days, the  Korean Broadcasting System reported on Aug. 7.

South Korea, U.S.: Summit Security Talks May Expose Rift in Alliance

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Indonesia: Jakarta Further Bolsters Military With 20 New Commands

Australia, Palestinian Territories: Canberra Offers Qualified Recognition of Palestine

Vietnam, South Korea: Countries To Boost Trade, Investment and Defense Ties

U.S., China: AMD, Nvidia Offer Revenue To Secure U.S. Chip Export Licenses to China

China, Russia: Beijing Pressures Moscow for Progress on Ukraine Ceasefire

South Korea, U.S.: Governments Consider Joint Pursuit of Peace With North Korea

Japan, U.S.: Automobile Tariff Pledge a Much-Needed Win for Tokyo and Ishiba

South Korea, U.S.: Summit Security Talks May Expose Rift in Alliance

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