East Asia

For more than seventy years, East Asia has been the nexus of US presence and engagement in Asia. Today, the region is becoming a hotbed for the return of great power competition, with long-term US allies and partners like Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan next door to competitors and challengers including China, Russia, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. While East Asia continues to navigate a number of longstanding traditional security issues, it must also address the rise of online disinformation, competition to pioneer emerging technologies, and more.

Content

Dispatches

Jan 27, 2026

Taiwan has been a strategic blind spot for South Korea

By Bee Yun Jo

South Korea is beginning to acknowledge that cross-Strait stability is increasingly a foundational element of overall regional security.

China Indo-Pacific

Report

Jan 26, 2026

In Iraq, China’s long game unfolds

By Sardar Aziz and Mohammed A. Salih

As China seeks new markets abroad and energy security at home, Iraq has become integral to Beijing’s plans in the Middle East. Baghdad finds itself caught between its security needs, for which it depends on the United States, and the economic needs of its growing population.

China Energy Markets & Governance

MENASource

Jan 22, 2026

Wang Yi’s MENA tour was long on messaging, short on outcomes

By Jonathan Fulton

Wang worked to position China as a defender of free trade and a reliable partner for the Middle East region.

China Geopolitics & Energy Security

Report

Jan 21, 2026

Countering Russian escalation in space

By John Klein, Clementine G. Starling-Daniels

Current US space policy and acquisitions are inadequate to address the growing threats from Russia in space. The United States needs a more resilient space architecture, able to withstand major-power conflict—and Russia’s designs to place a nuclear weapon in orbit. Here are fifteen recommendations to make that happen.

China Missile Defense

Dispatches

Jan 15, 2026

Eight ways AI will shape geopolitics in 2026

By Atlantic Council experts

Experts from the Atlantic Council Technology Programs share their perspectives on what to expect from AI around the globe in the year ahead.

Artificial Intelligence China

Econographics

Jan 15, 2026

What to watch as China prepares its digital yuan for prime time

By Alisha Chhangani

The changes China is implementing around the e-CNY signal a more mature phase for the digital yuan—and an overall shift toward a much broader geopolitical ambition.

China Digital Currencies

Dispatches

Jan 13, 2026

Five trends to watch in the global economy in 2026

By Josh Lipsky, Sophia Busch

In 2025, markets tried to see past the immediate news of economic shocks. That paid off; but 2026 may look very different.

China Economy & Business

Dispatches

Jan 7, 2026

Why Maduro’s removal could ultimately benefit China

By Melanie Hart

Two important factors make the recent US operation in Venezuela less of a loss for China than many analysts realize.

China Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Kroenig in C-SPAN on foreign policy in 2026

By Atlantic Council

On January 2, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on C-SPAN's "Washington Journal" about foreign policy challenges for 2026. He analyzes threats from the People's Republic of China, speaks about protests in Iran, and discusses the Trump administration's National Security Strategy.

China Iran

In the News

Jan 5, 2026

Global China Hub report featured in CNA

By Kitsch Liao, Nik Foster, Santiago Villa

On December 16th, 2025, a report by Global China Hub Associate Director Kitsch Liao and nonresident fellows Nik Foster and Santiago Villa was featured in CNA.

China Economy & Business

Experts

Events