Asia: The Essentials

Welcome to Regions of the World, a CFR Education resource that explores many of the major trends and stories taking place in the world today.

The resource is divided into Learning Journeys, each centered around a different geographical region and the crucial events, relationships, and trends that shape it. They will help you gain a better understanding of some of the defining features of each region, and how they influence events across the globe.

Asia

This Learning Journey will cover Asia, a region that encompasses more than thirty countries spanning from Kazakhstan to Japan.

Asia is a vast region home to roughly 60 percent of the world’s population. Its cultural and political history dates back to some of the world’s oldest civilizations. Asia’s modern history has been equally influential. While the region was subject to centuries of colonial conquest and expansion, Asian countries have emerged as some of the world’s fastest developing powers—led by the world’s youngest superpower, China.

Today, Asia’s subregions face unique challenges. Central Asia  contends with authoritarian regimes, weak regional alliances, and a precarious geopolitical position between China and Russia. Meanwhile, South and Southeast Asia face issues related to border conflict, migration, and political unrest. And in East Asia and the Pacific, maritime disputes and nuclear weapons make for high stakes geopolitics.

Despite these challenges, the region continues to grow in economic importance. Asia remains at the center of international supply chains. And its advantage in technologies like microchips gives the region even more global influence.

Continue through this learning journey to further explore this large and dynamic region.