Handbook on the United States in Asia : Managing Hegemonic Decline, Retaining Influence in the Trump Era

"The centre of gravity in today's global economy arguably now resides in Asia. As a result of this, the maintenance of geopolitical and economic security in Asia has become pivotal to global stability. This indispensable Handbook examines the crucial and multifaceted role of the United States as a force in the region that has been, and continues to be, necessary for the continuation of Asian prosperity. The Handbook on the United States in Asia moves the academic discussion away from the fixation on America's influence in terms of the China threat. It provides readers with comprehensive and informed coverage from expert international contributors on the engagement of the United States with a wide array of Asian countries. The Handbook examines America's relationship with key allies as well as its multifaceted role and presence in the region. It also explores ways in which this is changing under Donald Trump's presidency. The policy-orientated focus of this Handbook ensures that academic and governmental policy analysts will greatly benefit from the timely and comprehensive assessment of the book. Undergraduate and postgraduate international relations students, as well as Asian studies scholars, will also find it to be an excellent tool for study"--Provided by publisher 'This very timely volume brings together distinguished scholars and analysts to provide fresh insights into the most important question of our time: Is the United States'Asia-Pacific policy under the Trump Administration characterized by continuity or disruptive change? A collection of thoughtful, well-researched and engagingly written chapters that make an invaluable contribution to our understanding of the complexities of the United States'exercise of power in an age of power-shifts and interdependence. A required reading for policy makers, media persons, academics and students of international affairs.'- Mohan Malik, Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, Hawaii'If you want to understand how the US can maintain its position and influence in Asia's rapidly changing strategic landscape you won't find a better analysis than the chapters in this well written, and accessible, edited book which brings together a range of prominent experts and practitioners.'- Alan Dupont, University of New South Wales, and CEO of the Cognoscenti Group, Australia The centre of gravity in today's global economy arguably now resides in Asia. As a result of this, the maintenance of geopolitical and economic security in Asia has become pivotal to global stability. This indispensable Handbook examines the crucial and multi-faceted role of the United States as a force in the region that has been, and continues to be, necessary for the continuation of Asian prosperity. The Handbook on the United States in Asia moves the academic discussion away from the fixation on America's influence in terms of the China threat. It provides readers with comprehensive and informed coverage from expert international contributors on the engagement of the United States with a wide array of Asian countries. The Handbook examines America's relationship with key allies as well as its multi-faceted role and presence in the region. It also explores ways in which this is changing under Donald Trump's presidency.The policy-orientated focus of this Handbook ensures that academic and governmental policy analysts will greatly benefit from the timely and comprehensive assessment of the book. Undergraduate and postgraduate international relations students, as well as Asian studies scholars, will also find it to be an excellent tool for study.Contributors include: M. Beeson, A. Benvenuti, A. Berkofsky, A. Bloomfield, K. Brown, J. Galliott, Y.-K. Heng, M. Iverson, V. Jackson, S.R.J. Long, D.W. Lovell, A. O'Neil, H. Pant, B. Schreer, P.J. Smith, S.K. Starrs, D. Stuart, R.G. Sutter, A.T.H. Tan, J.D. Wilson, P. Yeophantong, J. Yuan Contents List of contributors PART I: THE US AND ASIA 1 Introduction to the Handbook on the United States in Asia • Andrew T.H. Tan 2 The USA’s strategic challenge in Asia • Andrew T.H. Tan 3 The US and Asia: the evolving strategic context • Andrea Benvenuti 4 Not just ‘ugly America’: understanding Southeast Asian perceptions of the United States • Pichamon Yeophantong PART II: THE US’S ASIA PIVOT 5 The Trump administration’s Asia-Pacific strategy—continuity or a dramatic break with the past? • Paul J. Smith 6 Missing links: strategic change and the problems for US strategy in Asia • Benjamin Schreer 7 U.S. economic engagement in Asia • Sean Kenji Starrs 8 Geoeconomics and U.S. leadership in Asia: the rise and fall of the Trans-Pacific Partnership • Mark Beeson and Jeffrey D. Wilson PART III: THE US POSITION IN ASIA 9 US diplomacy in Asia • Andrea Benvenuti 10 The current state and future of the US–Japan security alliance • Axel Berkofsky 11 America’s alliance with South Korea: the consistency of variability • Andrew O’Neil 12 Prospects for US relations with Australia • David W. Lovell 13 America’s evolving relationships with India and Pakistan • Harsh V. Pant 14 Strategic partners: Singapore and the United States • S.R. Joey Long PART IV THE US MILITARY PRESENCE IN ASIA 15 The US in the Indian Ocean • Alan Bloomfield 16 Trump, the revolution in military affairs and what it means for Australia • Jai Galliott 17 Constraints and opportunities in the US defence posture in Asia • Yee-Kuang Heng PART V: CHALLENGES TO THE US IN ASIA 18 Managing U.S.–China rivalry in East Asia • Jingdong Yuan 19 Assessing China’s challenge • Kerry Brown and Meghan Iverson 20 The trilemma of U.S.–North Korea relations • Van Jackson 21 The coming crisis over Taiwan • Andrew T.H. Tan 22 The United States and terrorism in South and Southeast Asia • Andrew T.H. Tan PART VI: CONCLUSIONS 23 Problems and opportunities for the U.S. in Asia • Robert Sutter 24 Pivoting from Obama to Trump in the Indo-Asia-Pacific • Douglas Stuart Index