Asia & Oceania.

• Position: 2014 America's Challenges - Statistical data

Afghanistan

After 12 years of fighting, the U.S. is planning to wind down its role in the war in Afghanistan by the end of 2014. But the situation on the ground remains unstable: American officials consider the government of President Hamid Karzai corrupt and ineffective, and the 55,000 U.S. troops there continue to face deadly attacks from Taliban insurgents.

By the Numbers

$642 billion

Cost of war in Afghanistan since 2001

SOURCE: CENTER FOR STRATEGIC & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

Pakistan

With its mix of political instability, corruption, Islamic fundamentalism, and nuclear weapons, Pakistan may be the most dangerous place on earth today. Relations between Pakistan and Washington have soured over U.S. drone strikes on suspected terrorists and Taliban insurgents operating near the lawless border with Afghanistan.

North Korea

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high, with North Korea's young dictator, Kim Jong Un (above), continuing to threaten South Korea and the 28,000 U.S. troops stationed there. The U.S. and the United Nations are hoping to lure North Korea back to negotiations to end its rogue nuclear weapons program.

The Rise of China & India

With a combined population of 2.5 billion people, China and India are the world's most populous countries. Both have booming economies that are lifting millions out of poverty. Americans benefit from buying their inexpensive exports but worry about jobs moving to China, India, and elsewhere in Asia, where labor is much cheaper. China's growth is helping it become a superpower that may soon be capable of challenging the U.S. on the world stage.

By the Numbers

$9,300

China's per capita GDP, more than double what it was a decade ago (U.S.: $50,700)

SOURCE: THE WORLD FACTBOOK 2013 (C.I.A.)

Asia URBAN AREA (SQ. MI) POP. % CAPITAL COUNTRY POPULATION POP. RISE % YEAR Afghanistan 252,072 24 Kabul 30,600,000 2.8 Armenia 11,484 63 Yerevan 3,000,000 0.4 Azerbaijan 33,436 53 Baku 9,400,000 1.3 Bangladesh 56,977 26 Dhaka 156,600,000 1.5 Bhutan 18,824 36 Thimphu 700,000 1.5 Brunei 2,226 72 Bandar Seri 400,000 1.4 Begawan Cambodia 69,898 20 Phnom Penh 14,400,000 1.8 China 3,696,100 53 Beijing 1,357,400,000 0.5 Georgia 26,911 58 Tbilisi 4,500,000 0.2 India 1,222,559 31 New Delhi 1,276,500,000 1.5 Indonesia 737,815 50 Jakarta 248,500,000 1.5 Japan 145,927 91 Tokyo 127,300,000 -0.2 Kazakhstan 1,052,090 55 Astana 17,000,000 1.4 Korea, North 47,399 60 Pyongyang 24,700,000 0.5 Korea, South 38,486 821 Seoul 50,200,000...