Australia urged to make tough call on Russian oil as Putin’s influence surges

“The closer collaboration between these countries – on full display during China’s 2025 Victory Day Parade – will continue to challenge the United States and its allies.” The Asia Power Index, launched in 2018, evaluates power through 131 indicators in fields such as military capability, economic relationships and diplomatic influence. China was ranked the second-most powerful nation in Asia, followed by India and Japan in third and fourth place. Explaining Russia’s rise despite its being bogged down in the war in Ukraine, the authors say: “Russia’s economy continues to grow, albeit at a slow rate, a phenomenon described by analysts as ‘Fortress Russia’, referring to Moscow’s ability to weather costs of war and sanctions.