<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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The Reichstag on Jan. 22 in Berlin. The center-right alliance between the Christian Democratic Union and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union, is widely expected to emerge as the largest bloc in the Bundestag after the Feb. 23 general election and lead the next coalition government.

Economics

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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: German Elections, Macron and Starmer Meet Trump

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (second from right) attends the fifth hearing of his impeachment trial over his short-lived imposition of martial law at the Constitutional Court in Seoul on Feb. 4, 2025.

South Korea’s top court will likely uphold Yoon’s impeachment, clearing the way for a more progressive government. But the alternate scenario in which Yoon remains in office and fuels more protests and political instability cannot be ruled out. 

In South Korea, Yoon's Ouster Will Resolve Political Instability -- For Now

Europe

The U.K. flag is flown near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to honor the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, on Sept. 9, 2022.

While the U.K. will likely avoid major U.S. tariffs, concessions to Trump could undermine London's push to ''reset'' ties with the EU and expand economic engagement with China.

Trump's Tariff Threats Will Complicate the U.K.'s Trade Balancing Act

Members of Myanmar's military patrol on a street next to Shwedagon Pagoda during the fourth anniversary of the military coup in Yangon on Feb. 1, 2025. 

The junta will struggle to retain control over large parts of the country in 2025, but it will still seek to hold elections to legitimize continued rule by civilian proxy and appease China.

Facing Territorial Losses and External Pressure, Myanmar's Junta Plans Elections

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India

The lobby of the headquarters for the U.S. Agency for International Development is seen on Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington, D.C. 

Cuts to U.S.-funded humanitarian and development programs could worsen global health outcomes, destabilize security environments, accelerate democratic backsliding, and create opportunities for rival powers to expand their influence.

The Global Implications of Trump's Foreign Aid Cuts

Pakistan

Bangladeshi soldiers stand guard in Dhaka on July 27, 2024.

Since assuming power in August, Bangladesh's interim government has pursued closer ties with Pakistan and China, deepening India's concerns about regional stability and its declining influence over Dhaka.

Bangladesh's More Assertive Foreign Policy Puts India on Edge

Snapshots

Stacked shipping containers are seen at Yantian Port in Shenzhen, China, on Dec. 1, 2024. 

While a resolution on stemming flows of Chinese fentanyl to the U.S. market is possible, a comprehensive trade deal is still unlikely due to the wide scope of U.S. grievances and China's reluctance to concede on sensitive issues.

New U.S. Tariffs on China May Be Negotiable, but a Broader Trade Deal Remains Unlikely

U.S.-China Relations

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Essential Geopolitics: Key Events in South Korean Politics, Part II

Essential Geopolitics: Key Events in South Korean Politics, Part I

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hold a joint press conference on Jan. 10, 2025.

Japan is intensifying its diplomatic and security engagement in Southeast Asia through defense, trade and infrastructure agreements to counterbalance China and enhance regional stability.

Ishiba Strengthens Japan's Role in Southeast Asia With Defense and Trade Deals

Vietnam released a new baseline map delineating its maritime claims in the Gulf of Tonkin, state-run Bao Chinh Phu reported on Feb. 21. 

Vietnam, China: Hanoi Releases New Gulf of Tonkin Map Disputing China's Demarcation Line

China's navy conducted live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea between Australia's east coast and New Zealand, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported on Feb. 21.

China, Australia, New Zealand: Chinese Navy Escalates to Live Fire Drills in Tasman Sea

Australia and New Zealand are actively monitoring a Chinese naval task force transiting south off Australia's east coast 150 nautical miles east of Sydney, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported on Feb. 20.

China, Australia, New Zealand: Canberra, Wellington Monitoring PLA Naval Presence Near Their Waters

Environment, Science & Technology

Malaysia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' 2025 chair, announced that it is seeking a summit with the United States to address the bloc's concerns about U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on automobiles, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, Reuters reported on Feb. 20.

ASEAN, U.S.: Chair Malaysia Seeks Summit With Washington on Tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, "It’s possible," when asked about making a new trade deal with China, adding, "There’s a little bit of competitiveness, but the relationship I have with President Xi [Jinping] is, I would say, a great one," Bloomberg reported on Feb. 19.

U.S., China: Trump Open To Trade Negotiations, but a Deal Remains Distant

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Feb. 17 pledged to raise various limits on school tuition assistance in response to questions from Seiji Maehara, the co-head of the conservative opposition Japan Innovation Party, at a House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Feb. 19.

Japan: Ishiba Closes in on Deal To Pass Budget, but at Long-Term Cost 

Australian mining magnate and billionaire Clive Palmer launched a new U.S. President Donald Trump-inspired right-wing populist party to compete in the 2025 election dubbed the Trumpet of Patriots Party, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported on Feb. 19. 

Australia: Mining Magnate Launches Potential Spoiler, Trump-Inspired Party Before Elections

Around six Afghan Taliban officials (purportedly deputy ministers from Afghanistan's ministries of foreign affairs, education, economy and health) arrived in Japan on Feb. 16 for a weeklong visit, The Asahi Shimbun reported on Feb. 18.

Afghanistan, Japan: Afghan Taliban Make First Visit to Japan Since 2021 Takeover

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Vietnam, China: Hanoi Releases New Gulf of Tonkin Map Disputing China's Demarcation Line

China, Australia, New Zealand: Chinese Navy Escalates to Live Fire Drills in Tasman Sea

China, Australia, New Zealand: Canberra, Wellington Monitoring PLA Naval Presence Near Their Waters

ASEAN, U.S.: Chair Malaysia Seeks Summit With Washington on Tariffs

U.S., China: Trump Open To Trade Negotiations, but a Deal Remains Distant

Japan: Ishiba Closes in on Deal To Pass Budget, but at Long-Term Cost

Australia: Mining Magnate Launches Potential Spoiler, Trump-Inspired Party Before Elections

Afghanistan, Japan: Afghan Taliban Make First Visit to Japan Since 2021 Takeover

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