<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

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Indonesia

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Thailand

Tonga

Tuvalu

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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

Assessments

United States

Iran

Israel

India

Pakistan

Economics

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: A Shanghai Cooperation Organization Meeting, Chinese Financial Support Measures

U.S.-Iran Relations

Snapshots

The headquarters of China's central bank is seen on May 4, 2021.

The new measures reflect growing concerns about China's economic outlook, but their scale falls short of what is needed to maintain 5% growth and stop deflation.

Faced With Slowed Growth and Deflation Risks, China Unveils a New Stimulus Package

Taiwanese President William Lai gives his inauguration speech on May 20, 2024, in Taipei, Taiwan.

The president's recent remarks indicate he will continue to remove rhetorical ambiguity about Taiwan's de facto sovereignty, portending more Chinese military drills and deeper Western engagement with Taiwan.

For Taiwan, Lai's Pro-Sovereignty Rhetoric May Invite Western Support -- and Chinese Drills

Indonesian Defense Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto (center) is seen next to outgoing President Joko Widodo (right) in the parliament building in Jakarta on Aug. 16, 2024. 

The defense minister-turned-president will maintain his predecessor's efforts to bolster Indonesia's economy while adopting a more hawkish stance abroad, particularly on the country's territorial dispute with China.

In Indonesia, Previewing the Prabowo Presidency

Mozambique

Rwanda

Europe

Russia

Frelimo electoral posters are plastered on a wall in Maputo, Mozambique, on Aug. 24, 2024, the first day of the presidential campaign season ahead of the general election on Oct. 9, 2024.

Energy

Mozambique's upcoming general election will likely bring another five years of Frelimo rule, though an independent candidate is drawing LNG contracts to the forefront of the campaign season.

Mozambique's General Election Brings LNG Contracts Centerstage

Global Elections

Maldives

An aerial view of the island of Male, which is the capital of the Maldives.

If it defaults on its Islamic bonds, the island nation will be forced to seek more financial aid from India and China, which would heighten macroeconomic instability and erode investor confidence.

Trouble in Paradise: The Maldives' Looming Debt Default

Newly-elected leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Shigeru Ishiba, speaks during a press conference on Sept. 27, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. 

As prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba will focus on strengthening the Japanese military and regional defense ties. But the opposition would seek to roll back such efforts if it wins the Oct. 27 snap general election.

Japan's New PM Will Seek To Revive His Party -- if He Survives a Snap Election

Mexico

Austria

Supporters of the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) wave flags during an election rally in Vienna, Austria, on Sept. 27, 2024. 

The Weekly Rundown: Austrian Elections and a U.S. Port Workers Strike

Media

Podcasts

What key factors are informing the outcome of the elections?

Essential Geopolitics: What to Expect from Japan's Leadership Elections

Brazil

France

Ukraine

Forecast Webcast

Environment, Science & Technology

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2024 Fourth-Quarter Geopolitical Forecast.

2024 Fourth-Quarter Geopolitical Forecast Webcast

Pakistan's Punjab state banned public gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, demonstrations and similar activities in Rawalpindi district, which is adjacent to the federal capital, Islamabad, for eight days, and the federal government deployed 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel to the capital, Geo News reported on Oct. 11.

Pakistan: Islamabad Prepares To Host Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party revealed its manifesto for the upcoming Oct. 27 snap general election, the Sankei Shimbun reported on Oct. 10.

Japan: LDP Manifesto Drops Controversial Foreign Policies Ahead of Polls

China will lift trade restrictions on Australian lobster by the end of 2024, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said while meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Laos, Reuters reported on Oct. 10. 

China, Australia: Beijing Promises To Lift Final Trade Restrictions on Canberra by Year's End

Taiwanese President William Lai gave a speech on the country's National Day in which he asserted Taiwan's de facto sovereignty, claiming "[Beijing] has no right to represent Taiwan," The Washington Post reported on Oct. 10.

Taiwan, China: Lai's National Day Speech Appeals for Western Support, Irks China

The newly inaugurated administration of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum will seek to strengthen the domestic manufacturing sector by asking U.S. vehicle and semiconductor producers and companies in the electronics and aerospace sectors to replace components made in China and Southeast Asia with parts from Mexico, The Wall Street Journal reported on Oct. 8.

Mexico: Government Hints at Import Substitution To Boost Investment Amid Supply Chain Derisking Efforts

New Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced the formal dissolution of the lower house of the Diet ahead of the Oct. 27 snap election, with campaigning due to begin on Oct. 15, The Asahi Shimbun reported on Oct. 9.

Japan: Ishiba Dissolves Lower House Ahead of Snap Election

Vietnam and France upgraded bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, or CSP, Nikkei Asia reported on Oct. 8.

Vietnam, France: Hanoi Elevates Ties With Another Former Adversary

Outgoing Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo told an investment forum that Indonesia's resource nationalism policies will extend beyond mining to the agricultural sector, including products like coffee, cocoa and seaweed, the Jakarta Globe reported on Oct. 8.

Indonesia: Resource Nationalism Likely To Expand to Agricultural Sector

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Pakistan: Islamabad Prepares To Host Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit

Japan: LDP Manifesto Drops Controversial Foreign Policies Ahead of Polls

China, Australia: Beijing Promises To Lift Final Trade Restrictions on Canberra by Year's End

Taiwan, China: Lai's National Day Speech Appeals for Western Support, Irks China

Mexico: Government Hints at Import Substitution To Boost Investment Amid Supply Chain Derisking Efforts

Japan: Ishiba Dissolves Lower House Ahead of Snap Election

Vietnam, France: Hanoi Elevates Ties With Another Former Adversary

Indonesia: Resource Nationalism Likely To Expand to Agricultural Sector

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