The best of times, the worst of times : maritime security in the Asia-Pacific

This authoritative book brings together in a single volume international experts renowned in their specializations to discuss issues and current trends relating to maritime security. It looks at the issue of maritime security in the Asia-Pacific through a three step approach. Firstly, it surveys both the global maritime outlook and the outlook in each of the regions of Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. From these regional perspectives, trends in commercial shipping and force modernization, and issues like the weapons proliferation and maritime terrorism are discussed. After looking at the maritime environment, the specific challenges that the maritime community faces are examined. These challenges include maritime boundary and territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the force modernization of three Northeast Asian navies, and the spectre of maritime terrorism. The volume concludes by looking at some new initiatives for maritime cooperation, a survey of maritime “regime” building, and the legal and political implications of the proliferation security initiative. I. The regional maritime environment. 1. The best of times, the worst of times : the global maritime outlook 2004 / James Boutilier. 2. Regional maritime security outlook : northeast Asia / VADM (Ret) Kideaki Kaneda. 3. Maritime security outlook for southeast Asia / Rommel C. Banlaoi. 4. Regional maritime dynamics in southern Asia in the 21st century / W. Lawrence S. Prabhakar -- II. The regional maritime challenges. 5. Some reflections on maritime boundary and territorial disputes in the Asia-Pacific with a focus of the South China Sea / Peter Cozens. 6. The modernisation of naval forces in the Asia-Pacific : a focus on three northeast Asian navies / Derek da Cunha. 7. Terrorism in the early 21st century maritime domain / Rupert Herbert-Burns. 8. Maritime terrorism, a risk assessment : the Australian example / Catherine Zara Raymond -- III. Prospects for regional cooperation. 9. Legal implications of the Proliferation Security Initiative / Robert Beckman. 10. Political implications of the Proliferation Security Initiative / Seema Gahlaut. 11. New initiatives for maritime cooperation / Stanley B. Weeks. 12. Maritime "regime" building / Sam Bateman "This authoritative book brings together in a single volume international experts renowned in their specializations to discuss issues and current trends relating to maritime security." "It looks at the issue of maritime security in the Asia-Pacific through a three step approach. Firstly, it surveys both the global maritime outlook and the outlook in each of the regions of Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. From these regional perspectives, trends in commercial shipping and force modernization, and issues like weapons proliferation and maritime terrorism are discussed."--BOOK JACKET