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Scholars and policy makers have traditionally viewed portions of the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific as separate and discrete political, economic, and military regions. In recent years, however, a variety of economic, political, and military forces have made many within the academic community, as well as a growing number of national governmental leaders, change their perceptions and recognize that these maritime expanses are one zone of global interaction. Consequently, political, military, and economic developments in one maritime region increasingly have an impact elsewhere.
Analyzing and assessing the contemporary maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific, this valuable study highlights the current prospects for peace and security in what is rapidly becoming recognized as an integrated and interactive political, military-strategic, and economic environment.
This work will be of interest to researchers and policy makers involved in regional studies, as well as security studies, conflict resolution, military, and peace studies.
List of contents
INTRODUCTION. PART I THE MARITIME HERITAGE OF THE INDIAN OCEAN AND THE WESTERN PACIFIC. 1. The Indian Ocean, Crossroads between East and West: Pre 1904. 2.The Great Power Struggle for the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific: 1904-1949. 3. Decolonization and the Cold War in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific: 1945-1991. 4. Maritime Strategic Developments in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific Since the End of the Cold War. PART II CONTEMPORARY MARITIME CHALLENGES IN THE INDIAN OCEAN AND THE WESTERN PACIFIC. 5. Strategic Maritime Oil Chokepoints in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific. 6. From the Suez Canal to the Gulf of Aden. 7. U.S. National Security Policy and the Persian Gulf. 8. The Security Significance of the Malacca-Singapore Straits. 9. The South China Sea: A Chinese Perspective. 10. Sino-Japanese Maritime Conflicts and Security Concerns in the East China Sea. CONCLUSION.
About the author
Howard M. Hensel is Professor of Politico-Military Affairs at the USAF Air War College, USA.
Amit Gupta is Associate Professor of International Security Studies at the USAF Air War College, USA.
Summary
This valuable study highlights the current prospects for peace and security in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific and evaluates possible alternative scenarios for future developments in what is rapidly becoming recognized as an integrated zone of global interaction.
