The year 2021 is ending much the same way it began -- with COVID-19 wreaking havoc. Along the way, Asia saw a host of big stories that could shape the region for years to come.
The military takeover in Myanmar, the Taliban's rapid return to power in Afghanistan and the rise of the AUKUS alliance altered the landscape of security and diplomacy. Meanwhile, Asian stars shined on the global stage, from South Korean pop group BTS to Japanese baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani.
