<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

Marshall Islands

Mongolia

Myanmar

Nauru

New Zealand

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

Bahrain

Kuwait

Oman

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

Economics

Energy

Global Trade

Military & Security

Over the next decade, Gulf Arab states will increase oil and gas exports to emerging Asian markets, seeking alternatives to the U.S. amid tariff uncertainty. But the region's military and tech ties with the U.S. will remain strong.

Geopolitics of Trade: Gulf Arab States Balance Diversification With Enduring U.S. Ties

Vietnam's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang answers reporters' questions about the new Vietnam-U.S. trade deal during a press conference in Hanoi on July 3, 2025. 

The deal reduces planned U.S. tariffs on Vietnamese goods from 46% to 20%, but the lack of key details also introduces significant compliance uncertainty and investment risks that could ripple across Asian supply chains. 

The Vietnam-U.S. Trade Deal Reduces Tariffs, but the Devil Is in the Details

Snapshots

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (center) speaks next to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (2nd from left) during a press conference in Bangkok following her suspension by the country's Constitutional Court on July 1, 2025. 

Politics

Paetongtarn's suspension from office over a leaked phone call with Cambodia's former leader risks collapsing her fragile government and inviting more economic disruption amid U.S. trade tensions.

A Fresh Political Crisis Erupts in Thailand Following Prime Minister's Suspension

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama looks on as offerings presented by Buddhist followers are laid on a table during a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near the Indian city of Dharamshala, on June 30, 2025. 

New clarity over the 90-year-old spiritual leader's succession plans threatens to reignite Western criticism of China's treatment of Tibetans and revive reputational risks for Western businesses active in China.

Dalai Lama's Succession Plan Revives Tibet Issue for China and the West

U.S.-China Relations

Vietnamese lawmakers vote on a merger of provinces and cities at the National Assembly in Hanoi on June 12, 2025.

The reduction in provincial- and commune-level units will initially create bureaucratic headaches, but if implemented effectively, the changes set the stage for leaner administration, fiscal efficiency, reduced corruption and improved investment conditions.

Vietnam's Administrative Overhaul: A New Era of Governance and Investment Conditions

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Middle East and North Africa

Europe

Eurasia

South Asia

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The third quarter of 2025 will be defined by disruptive trade policies fueling supply chain volatility and the persistent risk of escalation in major conflicts.

2025 Third-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Iran

Israel

India

A photo taken in Tehran, Iran, on June 26, 2025, shows an Iranian political banner hanging near the remains of a residential building struck by an Israeli attack. 

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

The Weekly Rundown: Fragile Iran-Israel Ceasefire Holds, U.S. Tariff Deadline Approaches

U.S.-Iran Relations

Media

Forecast Webcast

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

2025 Third-Quarter Forecast Webcast

People are seen behind a New Zealand flag during a ceremony celebrating the anniversary of Anzac Day. 

Prime Minister Luxon's recent trip to China marked a high-stakes diplomatic mission aimed at both deepening economic ties with Beijing and signaling New Zealand's more assertive regional posture.

New Zealand's Pivot: Assertive Defense Meets Economic Dependence on China

Canada

United Kingdom

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and British Defense Secretary John Healey sit together for the AUKUS Defense Ministers Meeting at Old Royal Naval College on Sept. 26, 2024, in London, England.

Environment, Science & Technology

Despite growing U.S. skepticism, strong imperatives to counter China's maritime presence will likely lead Washington to see a revised version of the AUKUS defense pact through.

U.S. Review of AUKUS Pillar I Puts Pact on Shaky Ground

Russia

Afghanistan

Russia's presidential envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, announced that Russia had officially recognized the Taliban-run Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, making it the first country in the world to do so, RIA Novosti reported on July 3.

Afghanistan, Russia: Russia Becomes First Country To Officially Recognize the Taliban Government 

Ukraine

Ukrainian intelligence suggested North Korea would deploy 25,000-30,000 additional troops to fight alongside Russian forces in the Ukraine war, according to CNN on July 3.

North Korea, Russia: More North Korean Troops To Join Russians in Ukraine War

Indonesia will sign a $34 billion deal with U.S. companies on July 7 to increase U.S. imports and investment in a bid to avoid the threatened 32% U.S. tariff rate on its exports before the July 9 deadline, Reuters reported on July 3.

Indonesia, U.S., Saudi Arabia: Jakarta Pursues Bilateral Deals To Mitigate, Hedge Against Tariff Risks

The United States reached a trade deal with Vietnam that will see Washington lower its proposed 46% tariff rate on Vietnamese goods to 20% in exchange for Vietnam cutting tariffs on U.S. goods to zero, U.S. President Donald Trump announced in a July 2 post on Truth Social.

Vietnam, U.S.: Hanoi Avoids 46% Tariffs With Trade Deal, but Lower Rate Still Spells Risk

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said a Chinese military base in the Pacific islands region would not be welcome and that he would introduce a proposed multilateral pact dubbed the Ocean of Peace treaty at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum, or PIF, summit in September, The Australian Financial Review reported July 2.

Fiji: Pacific Island Nation Seeks Treaty To Box Out Chinese Military From Region

Cyber

The U.S. Department of Justice announced on June 30 two indictments, an arrest and the seizure of hundreds of financial accounts, fraudulent websites and laptops linked to North Korea’s fraudulent IT worker schemes at U.S. companies.

U.S., North Korea: DOJ Announces Crackdown on North Korean IT Workers

Thailand's Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office while it reviews a petition alleging she violated the constitution by consulting with foreign leaders, The Nation Thailand reported on July 1.

Thailand: Prime Minister's Suspension Could Lead to Government Gridlock

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on July 1 said that liquidity being pumped into the housing sector was fueling speculation and causing instability in the sector, Yonhap reported the same day. 

South Korea: President Lee Seeks To Rein In Investment in Housing

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Afghanistan, Russia: Russia Becomes First Country To Officially Recognize the Taliban Government

North Korea, Russia: More North Korean Troops To Join Russians in Ukraine War

Indonesia, U.S., Saudi Arabia: Jakarta Pursues Bilateral Deals To Mitigate, Hedge Against Tariff Risks

Vietnam, U.S.: Hanoi Avoids 46% Tariffs With Trade Deal, but Lower Rate Still Spells Risk

Fiji: Pacific Island Nation Seeks Treaty To Box Out Chinese Military From Region

U.S., North Korea: DOJ Announces Crackdown on North Korean IT Workers

Thailand: Prime Minister's Suspension Could Lead to Government Gridlock

South Korea: President Lee Seeks To Rein In Investment in Housing

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support