Asia`s cauldron : the South China sea and the end of a stable pacific

From the bestselling author of The Revenge of Geography and Monsoon, comes a vivid snapshot of the nations surrounding the South China Sea, the conflicts brewing in the region at the dawn of the 21st century and what they could mean for the United States. "Europe is a landscape, East Asia is a seascape." Thus begins the first chapter of Asia's Cauldron and thus does renowned travel writer and foreign policy expert Robert D. Kaplan draw the line between European conflicts and the geopolitical struggles of the future. Kaplan explains Chinese dominance over the body of water that multiple countries claim and exposes the underreported military buildup in the region. As he describes the conflicting interests that are heating up in East Asia, Kaplan interprets America's interests and responsibilities to Asian allegiances in the context of a more dominant China. Asia's Cauldron is sure to become required reading for Asia watchers and general readers alike.

Key Features:

Sales Track Record: The Revenge of Geography, Robert D. Kaplan's most recent book, was a New York Times bestseller and sold over 58,000 in hardcover. His books continue to find a devoted, loyal audience. Kaplan is author of previous bestsellers like Balkan Ghosts, Eastward to Tartary, Imperial Grunts and Hog Pilots, Blue Water Grunts.
Author Credentials: In 2011, Foreign Policy magazine named Kaplan among the world's "100 Top Global Thinkers." In 2012, he joined Stratfor as chief geopolitical analyst. From 2009 to 2011, he served under Secretary of Defense Robert Gates as a member of the Defense Policy Board. Since 2008, he has been a senior fellow at the Center for New American Security in Washington. He is a correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly.
Hot Topic: The South China Sea is much in the news and is a focal point for the future of American and Chinese foreign policy. With its oil reserves of several billion barrels and an estimated 900 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, it is potentially more energy rich than any area of the globe except Saudi Arabia. Therefore it is becoming an increasingly heated area of contention for the US, China and the surrounding Asian countries, with each aggressively laying claims to its resources.
Part Geopolitical Primer, Part Travel Narrative: Along the way we meet scholars and dignitaries, visit booming cities and explore dense jungles. With the adventure comes familiarity with East Asia and the goals and motivations of its nations. An essential resource on the region, Kaplan's work is intensely readable.