Power Shifts in the Region: Australia Now Outranks Russia

Australia has risen to rank among the five most influential powers in Asia—behind the United States, China, India and Japan. Despite newly signed defence agreements with countries in the region, increased military engagement, and a commitment of $368 billion to AUKUS, the country’s move upward has only occurred because others are faltering. The Lowy Institute’s annual Asia Power Index ranks 27 countries and territories in terms of “what they have and what they do with what they have.” It encompasses as far west as Pakistan, as far north as Russia, and as far into the Pacific as Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The 2024 edition covers six years of data....