Andrew T.H. Tan

This book examines to what extent geopolitics explains the current wave of force modernisation in the Indo-Pacific region. Examining the leading Indo-Pacific nations in terms of defence spending: the United States, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, Pakistan, Indonesia and Thailand, geopolitical principles are used to create hypotheses that can be tested against the military modernisation programmes of the major actors in the Indo-Pacific region. The book represents a bridge between reference works and the literature on international politics in the Indo-Pacific. The empirical chapters provide qualitative narratives that explore the force postures, military modernisation and procurement patterns of the cases, and assess why these nations’ military modernisation has followed particular courses and evaluate this evidence against the expectations of geopolitics and its rivals. This book will be a valuable addition to scholars, practitioners and, indeed, anyone interested in the future stability of one of the world’s most important and dynamic regions.

This thoroughly revised and updated edition explores the evolution and persistence of terrorism by examining the core motivations-religious, ethnic, and political- driving violent extremist groups and individuals. Global Terrorism, 5th Edition, features a variety of comprehensive case studies, and expanded coverage on:§ The Hamas-Israel conflict in Gaza§ Counterterrorism strategies and techniques§ Modern terrorism financing networks§ The Levant, the Sahel, Al Shabaab, and Boko Haram§ Emerging weapons and tactical innovations§ The rise in domestic terrorism globally§ The psychology of suicide attacks§ The use of new technologies such as AI to further terrorist propagandaBy placing contemporary events within broader historical and geopolitical contexts, the authors demonstrate that terrorism is not confined to any single region, ideology, or tactical approach. The book’s flexible structure allows instructors and readers to focus on specific aspects most relevant to their interests. It will be an essential text for upper-level undergraduate courses in political science, international relations, security studies, peace and conflict studies, and history, and an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to understand the complexity of Global Terrorism and the challenges it presents to the entire world.

This thoroughly revised and updated edition explores the evolution and persistence of terrorism by examining the core motivations-religious, ethnic, and political- driving violent extremist groups and individuals. Global Terrorism, 5th Edition, features a variety of comprehensive case studies, and expanded coverage on:§ The Hamas-Israel conflict in Gaza§ Counterterrorism strategies and techniques§ Modern terrorism financing networks§ The Levant, the Sahel, Al Shabaab, and Boko Haram§ Emerging weapons and tactical innovations§ The rise in domestic terrorism globally§ The psychology of suicide attacks§ The use of new technologies such as AI to further terrorist propagandaBy placing contemporary events within broader historical and geopolitical contexts, the authors demonstrate that terrorism is not confined to any single region, ideology, or tactical approach. The book’s flexible structure allows instructors and readers to focus on specific aspects most relevant to their interests. It will be an essential text for upper-level undergraduate courses in political science, international relations, security studies, peace and conflict studies, and history, and an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to understand the complexity of Global Terrorism and the challenges it presents to the entire world.

This book examines to what extent geopolitics explains the current wave of force modernisation in the Indo-Pacific region. Examining the leading Indo-Pacific nations in terms of defence spending: the United States, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, Pakistan, Indonesia and Thailand, geopolitical principles are used to create hypotheses that can be tested against the military modernisation programmes of the major actors in the Indo-Pacific region. The book represents a bridge between reference works and the literature on international politics in the Indo-Pacific. The empirical chapters provide qualitative narratives that explore the force postures, military modernisation and procurement patterns of the cases, and assess why these nations’ military modernisation has followed particular courses and evaluate this evidence against the expectations of geopolitics and its rivals. This book will be a valuable addition to scholars, practitioners and, indeed, anyone interested in the future stability of one of the world’s most important and dynamic regions.

This book is the first systematic examination of the emerging arms race in Asia. The global trade in arms is to a large degree underpinned by the strong demand for arms in Asia and the Middle East, the two largest arms export markets in the world. Of these two regions Asia has become particularly significant, led by the emergence of China and India as major powers. It is therefore not surprising that the rapid military modernisation in Asia, accompanied by significant increases in the size and sophistication of armed forces, has generated attention as to its trends, key characteristics, causes and implications. This phenomenon, which has become evident since the end of the Cold War, has also been widely described as an Asian 'arms race'. This book evaluates the key conceptual ideas which can shed light on this phenomenon, as well as examining the complex mix of internal, external and technological factors that have led to its emergence. The volume explores the way in which the arms race is leading ultimately to three distinctive blocs in the emerging geostrategic landscape: a loose bloc of US allies in the region; a counter-bloc of potential US adversaries; and a neutral bloc of states with industrial age armed forces whose allegiances will vary according to circumstances and geostrategic developments. The Arms Race in Asia concludes that if the emerging arms race is left unchecked, it is likely that Asia will increasingly become a region of instability, marked by conflicts and interstate wars. The book will be of great interest to students of Asian politics, strategic studies, defence studies, security studies and IR in general.

This book is the first systematic examination of the emerging arms race in Asia. The global trade in arms is to a large degree underpinned by the strong demand for arms in Asia and the Middle East, the two largest arms export markets in the world. Of these two regions Asia has become particularly significant, led by the emergence of China and India as major powers. It is therefore not surprising that the rapid military modernisation in Asia, accompanied by significant increases in the size and sophistication of armed forces, has generated attention as to its trends, key characteristics, causes and implications. This phenomenon, which has become evident since the end of the Cold War, has also been widely described as an Asian 'arms race'. This book evaluates the key conceptual ideas which can shed light on this phenomenon, as well as examining the complex mix of internal, external and technological factors that have led to its emergence. The volume explores the way in which the arms race is leading ultimately to three distinctive blocs in the emerging geostrategic landscape: a loose bloc of US allies in the region; a counter-bloc of potential US adversaries; and a neutral bloc of states with industrial age armed forces whose allegiances will vary according to circumstances and geostrategic developments. The Arms Race in Asia concludes that if the emerging arms race is left unchecked, it is likely that Asia will increasingly become a region of instability, marked by conflicts and interstate wars. The book will be of great interest to students of Asian politics, strategic studies, defence studies, security studies and IR in general.

The Malay Archipelago - namely Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines - has recently risen in prominence as the 'second front' in the war on terrorism. This study argues that the Malay Archipelago constitutes a distinct sub-regional security complex within Southeast Asia due to the existence of patterns of amity and enmity, as well as transnational terrorism linkages.