Asia's new battlefield : the USA, China and the struggle for the Western Pacific

For most of the decades since World War II, the Philippines has rested comfortably on the United States when it comes to military, security, and foreign policy questions. But the rapid rise of China as a regional economic and military power has complicated the situation dramatically, and the Philippines is now forced to confront rising tensions and navigate a landscape that is suddenly more complicated. This compact, insightful book offers an up-to-the-minute guide to understanding the evolution of foreign policy both within and towards the Philippines in recent decades, and it traces the ways the state has sought to defend its territorial integrity amid the jockeying for position by the United States, China, and Japan. A provocative analysis that points to future power shifts that will have global resonance, Asia's New Battlefield will be crucial for both scholars and policy makers. This compact, insightful book offers an up-to-the-minute guide to understanding the evolution of maritime territorial disputes in East Asia, exploring their legal, political-security and economic dimensions against the backdrop of a brewing Sino-American rivalry for hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region. It traces the decades-long evolution of Sino-American relations in Asia, and how this pivotal relationship has been central to prosperity and stability in one of the most dynamics regions of the world. It also looks at how middle powers – from Japan and Australia to India and South Korea – have joined the fray, trying to shape the trajectory of the territorial disputes in the Western Pacific, which can, in turn, alter the future of Asia – and ignite an international war that could re-configure the global order. The book examines how the maritime disputes have become a litmus test of China's rise, whether it has and will be peaceful or not, and how smaller powers such as Vietnam and the Philippines have been resisting Beijing's territorial ambitions. Drawing on extensive discussions and interviews with experts and policy-makers across the Asia-Pacific region, the book highlights the growing geopolitical significance of the East and South China Sea disputes to the future of Asia – providing insights into how the so-called Pacific century will shape up. Offers A Guide To Understanding The Evolution Of Maritime Territorial Disputes In East Asia, Exploring Their Legal, Political-security And Economic Dimensions Against The Backdrop Of A Brewing Sino-american Struggle For Hegemony. Heydarian Shows How The Pivotal Relationship Between The Usa And China Has Been Central To Prosperity And Stability In The Asia-pacific. He Also Examines The Ways That 'small' And 'middle' Powers Have Shaped The Trajectory Of Tensions In The Region--tensions Which Could Ignite An International War And Re-configure The Global Order. --from Publisher Description. The Great Convergence : Sino-american Symbiosis -- The Revenge Of History -- War At Sea : From The Motherland To The Blue Soil -- Between An Eagle And A Dragon : The Tragedy Of Small-power Politics -- The Middle Powers : A Game Of Thrones -- After Hegemony : Towards A Pacific Community. Richard Javad Heydarian ; Foreword By Walden Bello. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 325-346) And Index. Foreword by Walden Bello Introduction -- 1. The great convergence: Sino-American symbiosis -- 2. The revenge of history -- 3. War at sea: from the motherland to the blue soil -- 4. Between an eagle and a dragon: the tragedy of small-power politics -- 5. The middle powers: a game of thrones -- 6. After hegemony: towards a Pacific community A timely and comprehensive guide to understanding territorial disputes in the Western Pacific and how the region's growing tensions could reconfigure the global order.