Today the most dangerous place on earth is arguably the Taiwan Strait, where a war between the United States and China could erupt out of miscalculation, misunderstanding, or accident. How and to what degree Taiwan pursues its own national identity will have profound ramifications in its relationship with China as well as in relations between China and the United States. Events late in 2004 demonstrated the volatility of the situation, as Taiwan's legislative elections unexpectedly preserved a slim majority for supporters of closer relations with China. Beijing, nevertheless, threatened to pass an anti-secession law, apt to revitalize pro-independence forces in Taiwan—and make war more likely. Taking change as a central theme, these essays by prominent scholars and practitioners in the arena of U.S.-Taiwan-Chinese relations combine historical context with timely analysis of an accelerating crisis. The book clarifies historical developments, examines myths about past and present policies, and assesses issues facing contemporary policymakers. Moving beyond simplistic explanations that dominate discussion about the U.S.-Taiwan-China relationship, Dangerous Strait challenges common wisdom and approaches the political, economic, and strategic aspects of the cross-Strait situation anew. The result is a collection that provides fresh and much-needed insights into a complex problem and examines the ways in which catastrophe can be avoided. The essays examine a variety of issues, including the movement for independence and its place in Taiwanese domestic politics; the underlying weaknesses of democracy in Taiwan; and the significance of China and Taiwan's economic interdependence. In the security arena, contributors provide incisive critiques of Taiwan's incomplete military modernization; strains in U.S.-Taiwan relations and their differing interpretations of China's intentions; and the misguided inclination among some U.S. policymakers to abandon Washington's traditional policy of strategic ambiguity.

Relations among the United States, Taiwan, and China challenge policymakers, international relations specialists, and a concerned public to examine their assumptions about security, sovereignty, and peace. Only a Taiwan Straits conflict could plunge Americans into war with a nuclear-armed great power. In a timely and deeply informed book, Nancy Bernkopf Tucker traces the thorny relationship between the United States and Taiwan as both watch ChinaÕs power grow. Although TaiwanÐU.S. security has been intertwined since the 1950s, neither Taipei nor Washington ever fully embraced the other. Differences in priorities and perspectives repeatedly raised questions about the wisdom of the alignment. Tucker discusses the nature of U.S. commitments to Taiwan; the intricacies of policy decisions; the intentions of critical actors; the impact of TaiwanÕs democratization; the role of lobbying; and the accelerating difficulty of balancing Taiwan against China. In particular, she examines the destructive mistrust that undermines U.S. cooperation with Taiwan, stymieing efforts to resolve cross-Strait tensions. Strait Talk offers valuable historical context for understanding U.S.ÐTaiwan ties and is essential reading for anyone interested in international relations and security issues today.

In the tradition of Clancy, Griffin, and Cussler, newcomer R.E. McDermott delivers a thriller to rival the masters.When consultant and very part-time spook Tom Dugan finds himself becoming collateral damage in the War on Terror, he's not about to take it lying down. Falsely implicated in a hijacking, he's offered a chance to clear his own name by helping the CIA hook what they consider to be the bigger fish, Dugan's long-time friend, London ship owner Alex Kairouz. Reluctantly, Dugan agrees to go undercover in Alex's company, despite doubts about his friend's guilt. Once undercover, Dugan's steadfast refusal to accept Alex's guilt puts him at odds with both his CIA handlers and a beautiful British agent with whom he's working.When a tanker is found adrift near Singapore with a dead crew, and another explodes in port as Alex lies near death after a suspicious suicide attempt, Dugan is framed for the attacks. Out of options, and convinced the attacks are prelude to an even more devastating assault, Dugan eludes capture to follow his last lead to Russia, only to be shanghaied as an 'advisor' to a Russian Spetsnaz unit on a near-suicidal mission.Deadly Straits is a non-stop thrill ride, transporting the reader from London offices, to the dry docks of Singapore, to the decks of the tankers that slake the world's thirst for oil, with stopovers in Panama, Langley, Virginia, and Teheran. Richly spiced with detail from the author's thirty years sailing, building, and repairing ships around the globe, it is, in the words of one reviewer, "fast-paced, multi-layered and gripping."READER COMMENTS"An awesome book! It has a very Tom Clancy feel. Kudos to Mr. McDermott. Well done, Sir."D. Bosshardt, Amazon - 5 Stars"An absolute cracker of a thriller, quite simply on a par with Clancy et al. When I'd finished I wanted more! A terrific story superbly written. 'Tao", Amazon (UK) - 5 Stars"A little Clancy, a bit of Ludlum, and a lot of Mr. McDermott!"Libby Dunkin, Amazon - 5 Stars"Move over WEB Griffin, Cussler, & Ludlum. Weaving together come-alive characters, McDermott takes us through an all too realistic plot involving oil tankers used to cause havoc to the worlds' shipping … a page turner."Bob Hopfe, Amazon - 5 Stars"International intrigue in expert hands. With breathless pacing and punchy prose, McDermott knots a plot so real it might well be breaking news. Deadly Straits ravages like a cat 5 hurricane: unpredictable, merciless, and fierce.L.C. Fiore, author, Green Gospel "A brilliant thriller. I was quite surprised that this is a first novel. On par with high ranking thrillers. Action non-stop …a great read."Cheryl M-M, Amazon (UK) - 5 Stars"In 1994 Tom Clancy's "Debt of Honor" used a jumbo jet as a suicide missile … it happened for real on 9/11. In 2011 R.E. McDermott published "Deadly Straits" where supertankers are used as terror weapons with deadly results. Let's hope we don't look back and say McDermott predicted that. This is a book of action and suspense, well written with multiple plots woven into one coherent whole. I've read several best-sellers that are legends in the genre and this book is as well done as any of them, if not better." Stephen C. Lovely, Amazon - 5 Stars"Expert plotting … the sheer excitement of the story kept me reading until I finished in two nights. I look forward to the next work by Mr. McDermott."James E. Daman, Amazon - 5 Stars"In a book that takes no prisoners, McDermott tells a tale of high seas terrorism and tells it well. Go get this one, right now!"Nancy, Cheryl's Book Nook - 5 Stars