12 Trends to Watch for in Asia in 2012

U.S. relations with China and other Asian states will play a major rule in the continent's coming year.

Composite Image / Reuters

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It's been a fascinating year for Asia. The region has continued to consolidate its role as the essential player driving global recovery. Developing Asia, including China, India, and the major ASEAN economies, maintained robust growth, in contrast to the advanced economies' collective anemic growth over the same period.

But 2012 promises to be more fraught as domestic politics take command amid new challenges to growth.

Here are twelve trends I see coming for Asia in 2012--risks, opportunities, and emerging patterns that will shape Asia during the next twelve months, and beyond.

This article originally appeared at CFR.org, an Atlantic partner site.