This seven-chapter book examines the background to and consequences of the disputed occupation of Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands group of the South China Sea (SCS) by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), from the mid-1990s to the present day. Although Mischief Reef has received significant media attention and has been discussed in academic journal articles and policy research reports, no books on the topic have appeared since a 30-page publication in 1996. By covering the topic in historical, domestic political, legal, economic, strategic, and geo-political terms, this book not only fills a gap on a particularly important issue with global consequences, but also acts as a follow-on to a previous Palgrave book by this author on another maritime dispute, Socotra Rock. This book will be of interest to journalists, scholars and legal theorists researching the implications of China's rise for maritime disputes in East Asia.

In a book that is as certain to be as controversial as it is meticulously researched, a former special assistant to the president for National Security Affairs and senior official of the Central Intelligence Agency shows that the U.S. could be headed toward a nuclear face-off with communist China within four years. And it definitively reveals how China is steadily pursuing a stealthy, systematic strategy to attain geopolitical and economic dominance first in Asia and Eurasia, then possibly globally, within the next twenty. Using recently declassified documents, statements by Russian and Chinese leaders largely overlooked in the Western media, and groundbreaking analysis and investigative work, Menges explains China's plan thoroughly, exposing: China's methods of economic control. China's secret alliance with Russia and other anti-America nations, including North Korea. China's growing military and nuclear power-over 90 ICBMs, many of them aimed at U.S. cities. How China and Russia have been responsible for weaponizing terrorists bent on harming the U.S. Damage caused by China's trade tactics (since 1990, we've lost 8 million jobs thanks to China trade surpluses).

Rock Solid: How the Philippines Won Its Maritime Case Against China presents a comprehensive account of the epic legal success of the Philippines' territorial claim over that of China. The arbitral ruling is paramount to the protection of Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity. Readers will appreciate the unpacking of the complex nature of Philippine national interest, stretching from fishery and natural resources to security concerns and territorial integrity of the nation.

From internal oppression in Burma to interstate conflict in the South China Sea, the people of Southeast Asia face a range of threats. This book identifies and explains the security challenges -- both traditional and nontraditional -- confronting the region. Collins addresses the full spectrum of security issues, discussing the impact of ethnic tensions and competing political ideologies, the evolving role of ASEAN, and Southeast Asia's interactions with key external actors (China, Japan, and the United States). The final section of the book explores how the region's security issues are reflected in two current cases: the South China Sea dispute and the war on terrorism.

All of the national claims to South China Sea area islands & ocean space have weaknesses. The dangerous & unstable state created by the unilateral actions of claimants & by the continuing opportunities for outside powers' involvement demand an appropriate measure. This book offers several possible regional interim solutions. The authors propose a regional multinational solution for part of the area because other alternatives appear impractical. Division or allocation of the features & ocean space among the competing claimants seems unfeasible because of sharp disagreements over the boundaries in dispute & over the appropriate equitable division. Serial bilateral negotiations might resolve some conflicting claims but would leave or create others; they also present problems of cost & efficiency. An institutionalized dialogue would add structure & stability to the discussions, & confidence-building measures (CBMs) could help move the situation forward, but neither would suffice as a solution. The creation of a regional multilateral resource management body could reduce the rife regional tension, however. Many international & regional precedents provide valuable lessons for regime-building in the South China Sea. The illustrations presented stimulate constructive discussion of a comprehensive multilateral interim solution to these difficult & dangerous conflicts. This book will interest & assist decision-makers, negotiators, & academics desirous of a peaceful solution to these disputes.

Washington’s strategic pivot to Asia and Beijing’s pursuit of new strategic and security interests in the region have led to increasing tensions between the two powers. US leaders have stressed that their increased interest in Asia is driven by a desire to benefit from the thriving regional economies, as well as to play the leading role in maintaining peace and stability in the region. However, Beijing is particularly concerned about US efforts to consolidate its alliances and deepen security partnerships with a number of regional states. Given the centrality of the two powers to the strategic stability and economic development of the region, these new dynamics in US-China relations must be properly understood and appropriately handled. This book examines the growing Sino-US strategic rivalry in the Asia-Pacific alongside the strategies employed in the management of this relationship. In turn, it illuminates the sources of conflict and cooperation in US-China relations, looking specifically at maritime disputes, economic relations, energy security, non-traditional security, defence and strategic forces, and Taiwan. Finally, it explores the role of regional states in shaping US-China relations, and in doing so covers the influence of Japan, India, the Korean Peninsula, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia. With chapters from leading scholars and analysts this book deals with a diverse range of issues including strategic rivalry, expanding regional trade relations, non-traditional security issues, the role of energy security, maritime security and how Asian states view their relations with the US and China respectively. New Dynamics in US-China Relations will be of huge interest to students and scholars of Asian politics, US politics, international relation and security studies, as well as practitioners involved in framing and implementing foreign, security and economic policy pertaining to the Asia Pacific.