<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

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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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A thermometer reading a high temperature is shown over an image of Earth.

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Military & Security

The compounding effects of the weather event and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz are set to drive global inflation and strain agricultural output well into next year.


How the 2026 El Nino Climate Event Will Affect the Global Economy and Security

United States

Europe

The NATO headquarters is seen in Brussels, Belgium.

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: Turkey Hosts NATO Summit, Iran Buries Slain Supreme Leader

U.S.-Iran Relations

Columns

On Geopolitics

Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) and Premier Li Qiang attend a plenary session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People on March 9, 2026, in Beijing, China.

Beijing will prioritize employment and social stability over rapid economic growth in the coming years, pressuring businesses to boost hiring and expand benefits amid demographic pressures, rising youth unemployment and AI-related job disruptions.

China Plans To Stabilize Employment in an Age of Change

Computer chips are seen on top of the U.S. and Chinese flags.

The Trump administration's recent shift to a more restrictive, ad-hoc licensing regime for frontier AI models risks slowing U.S. innovation and giving Chinese rivals a competitive advantage.

From Laissez-Faire to Licensing: Understanding Trump's Evolving AI Strategy

U.S.-China Relations

Middle East and North Africa

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Russia-Ukraine Conflict

A fragile truce in the Middle East, persistent energy-driven inflation, shifting U.S. trade policy and escalating regional pressures from Europe to Africa will collectively shape geopolitical risk in the third quarter.

2026 Third-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Canada

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Cargo ships June 19 off the coast of the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal in Sharjah emirate, along the Gulf of Oman.

The Weekly Rundown: Japan's Takaichi Goes to India, an Unsteady U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

Colombia

Venezuela

Abelardo de la Espriella, who has since been declared president-elect, waves to supporters after casting his vote during the runoff election on June 21, 2026, in Barranquilla, Colombia. 

De la Espriella's administration will reverse many of the outgoing government's security, economic and social policies, restoring a hard-line anti-crime approach and deepening ties with the United States.

What de la Espriella's Victory Means for Colombia

Snapshots

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (left) and his wife disembark from the plane at Geneva Airport as they arrive to attend the G7 summit on June 16, 2026.

Lee's handling of the scandal and the resulting backlash could strengthen the conservative opposition and strain relations with the U.S. and Japan, but it could also facilitate closer ties with China.

Ballot Scandal Tests South Korean President Lee's Political, Foreign Policy Goals

The logo of Danantara Indonesia, the country's second sovereign wealth fund, is seen at its headquarters in Jakarta on March 31, 2026. 

Indonesia's new commodity oversight regime marks a major expansion of state control over strategic exports, but fiscal pressure, investor unease and street protests will likely push a softer monitoring model short of a full state takeover.

Managing Uncertainty Under Indonesia's Evolving Export Control Regime

A digital illustration of Europe.

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

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, for the first stop on his tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, The Times of India reported on July 6.

India: Modi Begins Tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand

Philippine Sen. Rodante Marcoleta was arrested on a nonbailable plunder charge over allegations that he accepted $1.2 million in undeclared donations, Reuters reported on July 6.

Philippines: Another Duterte Ally Arrested as Impeachment Trial Begins

Australia and Fiji signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance, committing each country to aid the other if attacked and making Fiji Australia's fourth formal ally, the Australian Financial Review reported on July 6.

Australia, Fiji, China: Canberra Forms Alliance With Fiji as Beijing Tests Missile in the Pacific

Japan and India agreed to expand cooperation in energy, technology and defense during Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's first visit to New Delhi, where she held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Reuters reported July 2.

India, Japan: Modi and Takaichi Agree to Expand Bilateral Cooperation

Peru

A Peruvian court ruled that the government oversees the Chinese-owned port of Chancay, Bloomberg reported July 1.

Peru, U.S., China: Peruvian Court Demands Government Oversight Over Chinese Port

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) referred two controversial bills to committee in the lower house, despite abstention by opposition parties, Jiji reported July 2.

Japan: Diet Reduction Bill Endangers Military Modernization Plans

The deputy director-general of Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA), Hsieh Ching-chin, told lawmakers on July 1 that Taiwanese ships should ignore boarding and inspection requests from Chinese vessels.

Taiwan: Coast Guard Official Pledges Intervention With Chinese Vessels, Raising Escalation Risks 

Singaporean authorities filed new fraud and money laundering charges as part of a broader probe into alleged false claims about the final users of servers that may contain Nvidia chips subject to U.S. export controls aimed at limiting Chinese access to advanced artificial intelligence technology, Channel News Asia reported July 1.

Singapore: Enforcement Action Highlights AI Chip Transshipment Risk

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

India: Modi Begins Tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand

Philippines: Another Duterte Ally Arrested as Impeachment Trial Begins

Australia, Fiji, China: Canberra Forms Alliance With Fiji as Beijing Tests Missile in the Pacific

India, Japan: Modi and Takaichi Agree to Expand Bilateral Cooperation

Peru, U.S., China: Peruvian Court Demands Government Oversight Over Chinese Port

Japan: Diet Reduction Bill Endangers Military Modernization Plans

Taiwan: Coast Guard Official Pledges Intervention With Chinese Vessels, Raising Escalation Risks

Singapore: Enforcement Action Highlights AI Chip Transshipment Risk

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