Geopolitics Books

Book SynopsisThis volume explores the role of water in the Middle East's current economic, political and environmental transformations, which are set to continue in the near future. In addition to examining water conflict from within the domestic contexts of Iraq, Yemen and Syria-- all experiencing high levels of instability today--the contributors shed further light on how conflict over water resources has influenced political relations in the region. They interrogate how competition over water resources may precipitate or affect war in the Middle East, and assess whether or how resource vulnerability impacts fragile states and societies in the region and beyond. Water and Conflict in the Middle East is an essential contribution to our understanding of turbulence in this globally significant region.Trade Review'Refreshing and absorbing. […] Marcus Dubois King … has assembled a diverse and highly competent team of experts who present seven superb case studies on the topic. Each chapter is unfailingly well written, meticulously documented, and thoughtful.' -- The Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs'Eschewing all-too-easy and tired statements about the role of water in Middle East politics, this volume critically examines hydropolitics from Turkey to the UAE, offering novel analyses of everything from groundwater quality to environmental migration. An important book.' -- Alan Mikhail, Professor of History, Yale University, and author of 'Under Osman's Tree: The Ottoman Empire, Egypt, and Environmental History''Even by the planet's increasingly thirsty standards, the Middle East's water situation is a mess. More and more people have insufficient water, fueling health problems. Farms and factories often run dry with obvious economic consequences. And, crucially, scarcity is contributing to the region's instability. This superbly crafted essay collection paints a picture of a water world under attack, while also hinting at a number of paths forward. An essential primer for anyone interested in what a more water-scarce region might look like.' -- Peter Schwartzstein, award-winning environmental journalist and author, and Fellow at the Center for Climate and Security'Conflict over water resources in the Middle East is nothing new. It goes back at least 5,000 years to the earliest civilisations in Mesopotamia. Today, factors such as increasing environmental scarcity and the construction of new dams and other water infrastructure, as seen in the countries sharing the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, further complicate political relations in this often tumultuous region. These case studies shed light on water's increasing relevance to conflict, underscoring the need for thoughtful and urgent policies to prevent the most adverse outcomes.' -- Edward 'Skip' Gnehm Jr., Kuwait Professor of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, and former US Ambassador to Kuwait and Jordan'Fighting over water in the Middle East has persisted for millennia. So what's new? Climate change will likely reduce rainfall in the area, while populations will soar. Water scarcity will grow to dimensions never encountered and tensions will rise, provoking and stoking crises. This volume explores these rising challenges and more, including an often neglected source of conflict--underground aquifers that underlie the area. In time, water in this region may become a more valuable resource than oil, something often a source of conflict. King weaves together an enlightening tapestry through a series of incisive case studies. An important contribution to the fields of conflict and the environment.' -- James Lee, Researcher in Residence, School of International Service, American University, and author of 'Environmental Conflict and Cooperation'

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Book SynopsisThe acclaimed investigative reporter and author of Confronting Collapse examines the global forces that led to 9/11 in this provocative exposé. The attacks of September 11, 2001 were accomplished through an amazing orchestration of logistics and personnel. Crossing the Rubicon examines how such a conspiracy was possible through an interdisciplinary analysis of petroleum, geopolitics, narco-traffic, intelligence and militarismwithout which 9/11 cannot be understood.In reality, 9/11 and the resulting War on Terror are parts of a massive authoritarian response to an emerging economic crisis of unprecedented scale. Peak Oilthe beginning of the end for our industrial civilizationis driving the elites of American power to implement unthinkably draconian measures of repression, warfare and population control. Crossing the Rubicon is more than a story of corruption and greed. It is a map of the perilous terrain through which we are aTrade Review"Ruppert's hefty book is meant to make us think and inspire us all to be courageous against the forces that want us to live in fear" - Nexus, December 2004.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Part 1 - Motive; Part 2 - Means; Part 3 -- Opportunity; Part IV - Empire and Decline; Index.

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Book SynopsisChina's rise as a global superpower has completely reshaped the landscape of international politics. As the country's authoritarian regime becomes increasingly assertive on the world stage, the United States grows ever more hostile to its Asian rival. Repressive moves by China in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, military activities in the South China Sea and Western measures against Chinese companies have only exacerbated tensions. While the great powers of East and West battle over hegemony, the world is being led inexorably towards a new Cold War. During his time as a Cabinet minister attending National Security Council meetings, Oliver Letwin realised that there was no agreement among Western politicians and academics on how to conduct a peaceful long-term relationship with China. China vs America traces the contours of history, both ancient and modern, to explain how China has emerged as a challenger to American power in the twenty-first century and why this has created such uneasiness in the West. In this robust and controversial assessment, Letwin argues that the international rules-based order is completely ill equipped to foster a positive relationship between China and the United States and that the global community must act now to correct the collision course these two behemoths are currently on before it's too late.Trade Review"Oliver Letwin has provided an extraordinarily thoughtful contribution to the debate about how we should react to the rise of China. He challenges many common assumptions made on both sides - this is a must-read for one of the biggest issues of the century." - Jeremy Hunt, former UK Foreign Secretary "It's time we had a proper conversation about how we can live with China, and this is a book which starts that discussion, considering the world we are actually living in rather than the one we used to live in." - Peter Mandelson, former First Secretary of State and European Commissioner for Trade

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Book SynopsisSelected as one of the 100 Notable Books of the Year by the New York Times In recent times, the United States and Iran have seemed closer to war than peace, but that is not where their story began. When America was in its infancy, Thomas Jefferson and John Quincy Adams turned to the history of the Persian Empire as they looked for guidance on how to run their new country. And in the following century, Iranian newspapers heralded America as an ideal that their own government might someday emulate. How, then, did the two nations become the adversaries that they are today? In this rich, fascinating history, John Ghazvinian traces the complex story of America and Iran over three centuries. Drawing on years of research conducted in both countries – including access to Iranian government archives rarely available to Western scholars – he leads us through the four seasons of US-Iranian relations: from the spring of mutual fascination, where Iran, sick of duplicitous Britain and Russia interfering in its affairs, sought a relationship with the United States, to the long, dark winter of hatred that we are yet to see end. A revealing account, America and Iran lays bare when, where and how it all went wrong – and why it didn’t have to be this way.Trade Review‘Delightfully readable, genuinely informative and impressively literate.’ * Abbas Milani, New York Times *‘Ghazvinian recounts a tragic story of Iranian overtures spurned by Americans in cahoots with their Israeli and Saudi allies… Ghazvinian has a witty style.’ * The Economist *‘This book presents the long, troubled relationship between the United States and Iran in a breezy and supple narrative, replete with poignant anecdotes, to posit convincingly that “antagonism between Iran and America is wholly unnecessary”.’ * New York Times, 100 Notable Books of 2021 *‘a stimulating and well-written study of one of the key relationships in today’s world.’ * Literary Review *‘a magnificent, bold, wide-reaching and potentially significant book on the thorny subject of Iranian-American relations… throws fresh historical light on the original exchanges between Americans and Iranians, and shows us fascinating historical characters, brought vividly to life with pen portraits and amusing anecdotes… The framing of the book into four seasons, ending with winter, is a stroke of genius as it lends to [Ghazvinian’s] overall argument a poignant resonance: there are better days ahead… This is history as history should be written: accessible, humane, thoughtful, insightful and in places extremely funny… someone just has to get a copy of this book to the White House, fast.’ * Charlie Gammell, Catholic Herald *‘Iran’s Islamic Revolution is just one small dot on a much wider trajectory of Iranian history this book explores with rigorous analysis, invaluable interviews, and archival evidence – from Iran and the United States… a compelling and insightful read. It tells a nuanced version of history that is normally presented as a catastrophic eschatological clash of civilisations… Ghazvinian eschews these headline-grabbing histrionics and makes a much more convincing argument instead.’ * J P O'Malley, Irish Examiner *‘An important, urgently needed book – a hugely ambitious, illuminating portrait of the entwined histories of Iran and America, and the first book to examine, in all its aspects, the rich and fraught relations between these two powers.’ * Kirkus, starred review *‘History in the hands of a master.’ -- Ambassador John Limbert, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iran (2009–10), and hostage in the US Embassy in Tehran (1979–81)‘Ghazvinian describes in exquisite detail the relationship between Iran and the United States – from its inception in the years before the American Revolution to the present day. Beautifully laid out and at time reading like a thriller you don’t want to put down.’ -- Hooman Majd, author of The Ayatollah Begs to DifferTable of ContentsIntroduction Part I: Spring 1 East of Eden 2 Tashrifat 3 The Amateurs 4 The Professionals 5 The Man from Manila 6 War and Peace Part II: Summer 7 “The Sordid Side” 8 The Warrior-King 9 Hello Johnny 10 Tehran Spring 11 “One Penny More” 12 The Liberty Bell and the Wool Pajamas 13 1953 Part III: Autumn 14 “Yes” and “Yes, Sir” 15 You Say You Want a Revolution? 16 This Turbulent Priest 17 The Final Emperor 18 The Unthinkable Part IV: Winter 19 1979 309 20 Dulce et Decorum Est 21 Goodwill Hunting 22 The First Hopey-Changey Moment 23 That September Day 24 The Moral Cold War 25 Atoms for Peace? 26 Designed to Fail Epilogue Acknowledgments Archival sources Notes Index Illustration credits

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Book SynopsisSamuel Huntington's landmark book, The Clash of Civilizations, presented a vision of a world divided by cultural differences, national interests, and political ideologies. In The Geopolitics of Emotion, Dominique Moïsi brilliantly demonstrates that the world is nowadays more likely to be shaped by the 'clash of emotions'.Moïsi contends that both Europe and the United States are dominated by a fear of the 'other' and by the loss of their national identity and purpose. For Muslims and Arabs, the combination of historical grievances, exclusion from the economic boon of globalization, and civil and religious warfare has created a culture of humiliation that is quickly devolving into a culture of hatred. And as the West and the Muslim world lock horns, Asia, able to concentrate on building a better future, has come to embody 'the culture of hope'. By making clear the driving emotions behind today's headlines, Dominique Moisi offers a better understanding of the world we live in and perhaps a more constructive approach to the conflicts that plague us.Trade ReviewScintillating * Martin Wolf *[A] compassionate essay... a clear-sighted plea for understanding "the Other" in the age of globalisation * Observer *

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Book SynopsisRevisiting the question of contemporary Asian order and posing critical questions about the future of regional leadership in Asia, Amitav Acharya challenges the conventional wisdom that imagined the Asian order solely premised upon US-Japan-China relations and gave little attention to India-China-Southeast Asia relations.Trade Review...a lucid and readable book that rightly asks us to reconsider visions unfulfilled, paths not taken and the historical background to present challenges. * Ian Hall, Griffith University, Australia, International Affairs *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements; Introduction; 1. The Ideas of Asia; 2. From 'Indianization' to 'Look East'; 3. Jawaharlal Nehru at Bandung: East vs. West; 4. Chou En-lai at Bandung: The Origins of Sino-Indian Rivalry?; 5. India and China in Southeast Asia: Competition and Convergence; 6. China, India and ASEAN in the Emerging Global Order: Lessons from ASEAN; Conclusion: Alternative Visions of Asia; Index; About the Author

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Book SynopsisHow the turmoil of recent years gives leaders an unprecedented opportunity to redesign global strategies and systems and to remobilize toward a smarter, more resilient, and equitable future.How can leaders faced with tremendous global upheaval create more resilient and trustworthy systems? In The Great Remobilization, Olaf Groth, Mark Esposito, and Terence Tse (along with research partner Dan Zehr) diagnose tectonic shifts in the global economy with an eye toward designing a smarter ?operating system? for the world. Through their FLP-IT (forces, logic, phenomena, impact, and triage) framework for strategic leadership, the authors chart a path forward, providing guidance for a new breed of ?design activist leader.? Focusing on key tectonic shifts they call the Five Cs?COVID and pandemic management, the cognitive economy and crypto, cybersecurity, climate change and carbon management, and China?they examine the implications that new forces and logics will have on countries, organizations, and individuals.Drawing from one hundred interviews and conversations with top-level executives, entrepreneurs, policymakers, diplomats, generals, scholars, and other leading experts from around the world, the authors show how to create new inclusive visions with the aim of rebuilding the trust that will allow for both human and economic growth. Insightful and forward-thinking, The Great Remobilization powerfully illustrates the rare opportunity that we have in this historic moment to actively redesign our fragile, overpressurized global systems and develop new strategies and leadership approaches for the future. Authored by three scholar-practitioners, their synthetic perspectives and insights are at once rooted in deep research and focused on relevance for leaders and their organizations.

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Book SynopsisThe Battle for Pakistan examines US-Pakistan relations amid regional tensions, focusing on challenges, consequences of past mistakes, and Trump administration strategies.

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Book SynopsisIn recent years a series of crises have erupted on the European Union''s eastern borders. Russia''s annexation of Crimea and the subsequent conflict in eastern Ukraine presented the EU with a major foreign policy challenge, in both Ukraine and across the other countries of the so-called Eastern Partnership. In response, the EU has begun to map its own form of ''liberal-redux geopolitics'' that combines various strategic logics. This book traces the effect of these crises on the foreign policy of the EU, examining the changes in policies towards the countries on its eastern borders, the EU''s review of the Eastern Partnership, as well as the EU''s relations with Russia overall. It goes on to uncover whether the EU has contained the crisis or if it has set up new conditions for more instability in the future.Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. An analytical framework for European Union crisis responses; 3. The return of geopolitics; 4. Pre-crisis European Union eastern policy; 5. Eastern policy from low to high politics; 6. Limits to the European Union response; 7. Ukraine I: shepherding revolution?; 8. Ukraine II: containing conflict; 9. Ukraine III: supporting reform; 10. The impact on other eastern partners; 11. Conclusion: a half-new European Union eastern policy.

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Book SynopsisIn recent years a series of crises have erupted on the European Union''s eastern borders. Russia''s annexation of Crimea and the subsequent conflict in eastern Ukraine presented the EU with a major foreign policy challenge, in both Ukraine and across the other countries of the so-called Eastern Partnership. In response, the EU has begun to map its own form of ''liberal-redux geopolitics'' that combines various strategic logics. This book traces the effect of these crises on the foreign policy of the EU, examining the changes in policies towards the countries on its eastern borders, the EU''s review of the Eastern Partnership, as well as the EU''s relations with Russia overall. It goes on to uncover whether the EU has contained the crisis or if it has set up new conditions for more instability in the future.Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. An analytical framework for European Union crisis responses; 3. The return of geopolitics; 4. Pre-crisis European Union eastern policy; 5. Eastern policy from low to high politics; 6. Limits to the European Union response; 7. Ukraine I: shepherding revolution?; 8. Ukraine II: containing conflict; 9. Ukraine III: supporting reform; 10. The impact on other eastern partners; 11. Conclusion: a half-new European Union eastern policy.

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Book SynopsisJohn A. Vasquez explains the processes that cause the spread of interstate war by looking at how contagion worked to bring countries into the First World War. Analysing all the key states that declared war, the book is comprised of three parts. Part I lays out six models of contagion: alliances, contiguity, territorial rivalry, opportunity, ''brute force'' and economic dependence. Part II then analyses in detail the decision making of every state that entered the war from Austria-Hungary in 1914 to the United States and Greece in 1917. Part III has two chapters - the first considers the neutral countries, and the second concludes the book with an overarching theoretical analysis, including major lessons of the war and new hypotheses about contagion. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of international relations, conflict studies and international history, especially those interested in the spread of conflict, or the First World War.Trade Review'Some scholars like to look at forests from the outside-in and never get too close to the trees. Others like to plunge into the forest and tag every tree. Despite the old adage of not seeing the forest for the trees, both approaches can prove profitable. John A. Vasquez's latest book is a tree-tagging exercise that pays off in generating an inside-out look at why war participation spreads. There is still more to learn about these contagious processes but tackling first one of the toughest nuts to crack in the war inventory, World War I, should make it easier to figure out why wars spread in general. And just when you thought everything had been said about World War I that could be said, Vasquez comes up with some new twists on how things worked between 1914 and 1918.' William R. Thompson, Distinguished and Rogers Professor Emeritus, Indiana University'Contagion and War is a nuanced and systematic exploration of the multiple causal processes through which war might spread, illustrated by a detailed examination of the First World War. Vasquez makes a significant contribution to both the theory of international conflict and to our historical understanding of one of the world's most catastrophic and consequential wars.' Jack S. Levy, Rutgers University, New Jersey'Contagion and War adds to our knowledge of World War I and multiparty conflicts … by recognizing that temporal sequences are involved in both the start and spread of belligerency, and teasing out and exploring the mechanisms associated with them.' Richard Ned Lebow, War in HistoryTable of ContentsPart I. Theoretical Expectations: 1. Contagion processes in the First World War; 2. Research design; Part II. Dyadic Case Analyses: History and Data: 3. 1914: the local war and the first wave; 4. 1915–16: the second wave; 5. 1917: the third wave; Part III. Conclusions: Lessons from the First World War: 6. The neutrals; 7. How contagion actually worked.

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Book SynopsisIn this work, Amrita Narlikar argues that, contrary to common assumption, modern-day politics displays a surprising paradox: poverty - and the powerlessness with which it is associated - has emerged as a political tool and a formidable weapon in international negotiation. The success of poverty narratives, however, means that their use has not been limited to the neediest. Focusing on behaviours and outcomes in a particularly polarising area of bargaining - international trade - and illustrating wider applications of the argument, Narlikar shows how these narratives have been effectively used. Yet, she also sheds light on how indiscriminate overuse and misuse increasingly run the risk of adverse consequences for the system at large, and devastating repercussions for the weakest members of society. Narlikar advances a theory of agency and empowerment by focusing on the life-cycles of narratives, and concludes by offering policy-relevant insights on how to construct winning and sustainabTrade Review'Amrita Narlikar is the most insightful scholar of political economy in international trade relations today, with a unique focus on the place of developing countries in them. This volume will become a classic that we will read with profit and pleasure for years to come.' Jagdish Bhagwati, Columbia University, New York, and author of In Defense of Globalization'Material interests matter but Amrita Narlikar shows with clarity and insight that economic narratives, the stories we tell, are just as important. This book is both an important methodological intervention with wide application and a significant contribution to understanding the role of poverty in shaping trade policy.' Martin Daunton, Emeritus Professor of Economic History, University of Cambridge'Amrita Narlikar explains how poor countries can turn apparent political disadvantages to their own benefit in international negotiations. With accessible prose and convincing empirical evidence, she demonstrates the importance of seizing systemic opportunities, shaping background narratives, and knowing just how far to push. Poverty Narratives and Power Paradoxes in International Trade Negotiations and Beyond is both an original scholarly analysis and an elegant primer for practitioners.' Louis W. Pauly, University of Toronto'Powerlessness is not all it seems. Amrita Narlikar offers a compelling new take on the uses and abuses of poverty and power in global politics.' Louise Fawcett, Head of the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford'This book challenges each of us. It surprises, defies, and provokes. In questioning our assumptions about power and powerlessness, it calls for a more lucid and creative posture towards who we are and who they are supposed to be.' Valerie Rosoux, FNRS, University of Louvain, author of Negotiating Reconciliation in Peacemaking'This is one of those books that will force casual observers of international trade politics to rethink their priors.' Daniel Drezner, The Washington Post'Ultimately, this is a book that uses the prism of the 'poverty/powerlessness' narratives to capture the many power shifts and struggles defining this moment in history, from the redistribution of power across states all the way to the gender, race and intergenerational challenges that have achieved an acute salience in our lifetime. It is remarkable that Narlikar has managed to elegantly connect such a wide span of topics within a relatively succinct book.' Henrique Choer Moraes, International Affairs'Narlikar's latest book shows how perceived weakness can be overcome; she conducts careful factual research to produce her findings, in this original, useful, and valuable study.' I. William Zartman, Jacob Blaustein Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Washington, DC'… essential reading …' Charles B. Roger, Global Policy JournalTable of Contents1. Introduction: poverty narratives and power paradoxes; 2. The disempowered many: when the weak suffered what they must; 3. Winning against the odds: a growing empowerment; 4. When fair is foul and foul is fair: overuse and misuse of the poverty narrative; 5. Conclusion: how to sustain the power of the powerless and build winning narratives.

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Book SynopsisThe fast-growing last decade of strong economic growth of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has played a critical role in Asia-Pacific regionalism and global trade. This book explores the concept of ASEAN law under the normative framework of the new regional economic order. It examines the roadmap of the new ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025 by evaluating the impact of ASEAN trade agreements on domestic legislation on professional services, financial integration, investment disputes and digital trade. More importantly, it sheds light on the legal implications of ASEAN''s agreements with China and India and the potential developments of mega-regional trade agreements such as the CPTPP and the RCEP. Hence, the legal analysis and case studies in the book offer a fresh view of Asia-Pacific integration and bridge the gap between academia and practice.Trade Review'This volume makes a valuable contribution to debates on regional and international economic integration at a time when both are under threat. The editors have assembled an outstanding list of legal experts from across Asia and beyond to reflect on ASEAN, exploring questions of global relevance in areas including digital trade, investment liberalization, and financial integration.' Tania Voon, University of Melbourne'Edited by two leading experts in international economic law and regional integration, this volume is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in understanding ASEAN's implications for regional governance, as well as its impact on the future of goods, services and investment regulations in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.' Markus Wagner, University of Wollongong and Executive Vice President, Society of International Economic LawTable of ContentsPart I. ASEAN Agreements in the Global Context: 1. ASEAN law in the new regional economic order: an introductory roadmap to the ASEAN Economic Community Pasha L. Hsieh and Bryan Mercurio; 2. The ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement: the evolution and regional implications Minh Hue Nguyen, Deborah Elms and Lavanya N.; 3. Building towards the RCEP? Reflections on the ASEAN-China FTA Heng Wang; 4. The dispute settlement mechanism in ASEAN's external agreements with China, Japan and Korea Henry Gao; Part II. Services Trade and Financial Integration: 5. Moving towards liberalization: the ATISA and beyond Bryan Mercurio; 6. Challenges of ASEAN MRAs on professional qualifications Yoshifumi Fukunaga; 7. Banking integration in ASEAN and the challenges of regulatory cooperation Federico Lupo-Pasini; 8. The shifting sands of capital market development and integration in ASEAN: the case of the Phillipines and Indonesia Michelle Dy; 9. Transnational legal services in Asia: legal implications of the AEC and the CPTPP Pasha L. Hsieh; 10. ASEAN air transport integration and liberalization: a slow but practical model Jae Woon Lee; Part III. Investment Liberalization and Protection: 11. Investment liberalization in ASEAN: moving from myths to reality Sufian Jusoh; 12. The ACIA: much more than a bit of protection for foreign investors? Julien Chaisse; 13. Fragmented approaches to investor-state dispute settlement mechanism in intra-ASEAN and extra-ASEAN investment treaties Trinh Hai Yen; 14. Pro-development dispute resolution mechanisms and norms for investments and commercial disputes in ASEAN Yip Man; 15. The AEC and regulatory reforms in CLMV countries with a special focus on Myanmar Nimnual Piewthongngam; Part IV. Intellectual Property, Digital Trade and Consumer Protection: 16. Free movement of goods and intellectual property exhaustion in ASEAN: a roadblock in the ASEAN way Irene Caboli; 17. Legal and regulatory challenges to facilitating e-commerce in ASEAN Eliza Mik; 18. Data localization and digital trade barriers: ASEAN in mega-regionalism Han-Wei Liu; 19. Consumer contracts and product safety law in Southeast Asia: partly trading up? Luke Nottage and Jeannie Paterson; 20. Conclusion: realizing the AEC Blueprint 2025 Pasha L. Hsieh and Bryan Mercurio.

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Book SynopsisWritten for readers, scholars, and students concerned about a world in crisis, this book explains the continued significance of globalization in our unsettled times. Linking the theoretical and the practical, it offers a comprehensive appraisal of globalization in a world that is wavering between globalist expansion and nationalist retrenchment.Trade Review'Steger and James have produced a timely and indispensable study. Globalization Matters is the most comprehensive book on globalization in recent years. It offers a sweeping overview of the theories, approaches, and principal debates in global studies. Erudite yet accessible and engaging, it is suitable for classroom use but will also be of great interest to seasoned scholars of globalization. This is the go-to book we have been waiting for on these matters. Beyond the academy, it should be of great interest to members of the public who wish to become familiar with what this buzzword is all about, or simply interested in the state of global politics and society.' William I. Robinson, University of California, Santa Barbara'In a time when globalization seems to be under assault by a rising tide of neo-nationalism, Steger and James convincingly show that globalization continues to matter. More importantly, they show that the current anti-global rebellion is itself a part of the complex pattern of globalization that in the twenty-first century embraces the whole world. Gracefully and intelligently written, this is an important and must read book.' Mark Juergensmeyer, University of California, Santa Barbara and author of Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence'Steger and James bring clarity to hotly debated and frequently misunderstood changes in globalization. Their remarkable book quashes misrepresentations and memes that range from hyperglobalist exaggeration to anti-globalist populism. Artfully presented and thoroughly researched, Globalization Matters is a masterpiece.' James H. Mittelman, American University, Washington DC and author of Implausible Dream: The World-Class University and Repurposing Higher Education'Steger and James' immensely learned, yet readable, volume does a great service to scholarship on the global in three ways. First it lays to rest the hackneyed and insupportable notion that globalization no longer matters. Second it disposes of the equally unsound claim that global studies is too abstract to tell us much about the actual state of the world as it transforms today. Finally it addresses issues and themes of great moment, in the academy and beyond, to fashion an engaged, engaging and multidimensional theory of globalization.' Barrie Axford, Oxford Brookes University'Magnificent. Two of the most seasoned analysts of globalization comprehensively update the history and thoroughly reappraise the theory. A flowing, engaging, compelling case that 'globalization matters'.' Jan Aart Scholte, Göteborgs universitet, Sweden and Universität Duisburg-Essen, GermanyTable of Contents1. Introduction: what is happening to globalization?; 2. Mapping a new genealogy of 'globalization'; 3. Rethinking the dominant framework of globalization theory; 4. Considering the subjective dimensions of globalization; 5. Outlining an engaged theory of globalization; 6. Excavating the long history of globalization; 7. Examining the promise of global studies; 8. Making sense of the populist challenge to globalization; 9. Confronting the global urban imaginary; 10. Living in the unsettled world of the Anthropocene; 11. Concluding reflections; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisAt the turn of the twenty-first century, globalization - both the process and the idea - bestrode the world. Widely acclaimed by political and economic pundits as the most important phenomenon of our time, it took the world by storm. Two decades later, it has come under sustained attack by the re-invigorated forces of the extreme right and radical left. Does globalization still matter in our unsettled world? Responding in the affirmative, this study develops and applies a new framework of an ''engaged theory of globalization'' to analyze some of today''s most pressing global challenges: the rise of national populism, ecological degradation, rapid urbanization, new sources of insecurity, and the changing landscape of higher education. Offering a comprehensive appraisal of globalization in our unsettled times, the authors explain why and how transplanetary interrelations continue to matter in a world that is wavering between globalist expansion and nationalist retrenchment.Trade Review'Steger and James have produced a timely and indispensable study. Globalization Matters is the most comprehensive book on globalization in recent years. It offers a sweeping overview of the theories, approaches, and principal debates in global studies. Erudite yet accessible and engaging, it is suitable for classroom use but will also be of great interest to seasoned scholars of globalization. This is the go-to book we have been waiting for on these matters. Beyond the academy, it should be of great interest to members of the public who wish to become familiar with what this buzzword is all about, or simply interested in the state of global politics and society.' William I. Robinson, University of California, Santa Barbara'In a time when globalization seems to be under assault by a rising tide of neo-nationalism, Steger and James convincingly show that globalization continues to matter. More importantly, they show that the current anti-global rebellion is itself a part of the complex pattern of globalization that in the twenty-first century embraces the whole world. Gracefully and intelligently written, this is an important and must read book.' Mark Juergensmeyer, University of California, Santa Barbara and author of Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence'Steger and James bring clarity to hotly debated and frequently misunderstood changes in globalization. Their remarkable book quashes misrepresentations and memes that range from hyperglobalist exaggeration to anti-globalist populism. Artfully presented and thoroughly researched, Globalization Matters is a masterpiece.' James H. Mittelman, American University, Washington DC and author of Implausible Dream: The World-Class University and Repurposing Higher Education'Steger and James' immensely learned, yet readable, volume does a great service to scholarship on the global in three ways. First it lays to rest the hackneyed and insupportable notion that globalization no longer matters. Second it disposes of the equally unsound claim that global studies is too abstract to tell us much about the actual state of the world as it transforms today. Finally it addresses issues and themes of great moment, in the academy and beyond, to fashion an engaged, engaging and multidimensional theory of globalization.' Barrie Axford, Oxford Brookes University'Magnificent. Two of the most seasoned analysts of globalization comprehensively update the history and thoroughly reappraise the theory. A flowing, engaging, compelling case that 'globalization matters'.' Jan Aart Scholte, Göteborgs universitet, Sweden and Universität Duisburg-Essen, GermanyTable of Contents1. Introduction: what is happening to globalization?; 2. Mapping a new genealogy of 'globalization'; 3. Rethinking the dominant framework of globalization theory; 4. Considering the subjective dimensions of globalization; 5. Outlining an engaged theory of globalization; 6. Excavating the long history of globalization; 7. Examining the promise of global studies; 8. Making sense of the populist challenge to globalization; 9. Confronting the global urban imaginary; 10. Living in the unsettled world of the Anthropocene; 11. Concluding reflections; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisThe year 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Organisation, and the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Friendly Relations Declaration, which states the fundamental principles of the international legal order. In commemoration, some of the world''s most prominent international law scholars from all continents have come together to offer a comprehensive study of the fundamental principles of international law. Each chapter in this volume reflects decades of experience, work and reflection by the most authoritative voices of the field. At the same time, the book is an invitation to end narrow specialisation and re-engage with the wider body of rules and processes that lie at the foundations of the international legal order.Trade Review'The edited volume musters an impressive array of some of international law's most prominent scholars and offers valuable food for thought for addressing today's manifold delicate challenges … The UN Friendly Relations Declaration at 50 achieves [the] goal of moving away from specialism and taking a more generalist perspective formidably. Such a perspective shift is indeed much needed and the lucid analyses of the fundamental principles of the international legal order are certain to make very meaningful contributions to international legal scholarship.' Benedikt Behlert, Die Friedens-Warte'All the essays are erudite and supported by a wealth of original source material. This book will be a valuable resource for those interested in international law and international organization.' S. R. Silverburg, ChoiceTable of ContentsIntroduction: the fundamental principles of international law - an enduring ideal? Jorge E. Viñuales; 1. The system of the Friendly Relations Declaration Georges Abi-Saab; 2. The historical origins and setting of the Friendly Relations Declaration Samuel Moyn and Umut Özsu; Part I. The Principles of the Friendly Relations Declaration: 3. The prohibition of the use of force Olivier Corten; 4. Peaceful settlement of international disputes Shotaro Hamamoto; 5. The duty not to intervene in matters within domestic jurisdiction Dire Tladi; 6. Co-operation Laurence Boisson de Chazournes and Jason Rudall; 7. Self-determination Marcelo G. Kohen; 8. Sovereign equality Martti Koskenniemi and Ville Kari; 9. Good faith Guillaume Futhazar and Anne Peters; Part II. Fundamental Principles of International Law Beyond the Friendly Relations Declaration: 10. Human rights protection as a principle Eibe Riedel; 11. The fundamental principles of international humanitarian law Jia Bing Bing; 12. Prevention of environmental harm Leslie-Anne Duvic-Paoli and Jorge E. Viñuales; 13. Freedoms in common areas Tullio Treves; 14. Principles governing the global economy Jürgen Kurtz, Jorge E. Viñuales and Michael Waibel; 15. The Friendly Relations Declaration at 50 Pierre-Marie Dupuy; Appendix - Friendly Relations Declaration.

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Book SynopsisOur understanding of civil war is shot through with the spectre of quagmire, a situation that traps belligerents, compounding and entrenching war''s dangers. Despite the subject''s importance, its causes are obscure. A pervasive ''folk'' notion that quagmire is intrinsic to certain countries or wars has foreclosed inquiry, and scholarship has failed to identify quagmire as an object of study in its own right. Schulhofer-Wohl provides the first treatment of quagmire in civil war. In a rigorous but accessible analysis, he explains how quagmire can emerge from domestic-international interactions and strategic choices. To support the argument, Schulhofer-Wohl draws upon field research on Lebanon''s sixteen-year civil war, structured comparisons with civil wars in Chad and Yemen, and rigorous statistical analyses of all civil wars worldwide fought between 1944 and 2006. The results make clear that the ''folk'' notion misdiagnoses quagmire and demand that we revisit policies that rest upon it. Schulhofer-Wohl demonstrates that quagmire is made, not found.Trade Review'This brilliant and erudite book, the outcome of assiduous and painstaking research, pulls together the premises underlying the heuristic metaphor of Quagmire. It is a master stroke. Destined, in my view, to become a landmark, a tour de force, even a classic for the analysis of civil wars in their diverse origins and manifestations. Like other classics, Professor Schulhofer-Wohl offers an enlightened theoretical paradigm, grounded empirical fieldwork, sustained by compelling prose. Equally appealing, he adopts a multilayered approach that draws on both internationally and domestically-centered perspectives to analyze the strategic interactions between foreign states and internal warring parties. In short, to understand how belligerents become entrapped in civil wars.' Samir Khalaf, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, American University of Beirut'It is sometimes said that powers 'find' themselves bogged down in quagmires. In this lucidly written work, Jonah Schulhofer-Wohl argues that 'quagmires are made, not found.' Schulhofer-Wohl shows just how foreign backers and belligerents make quagmires through the interaction of their strategic choices. Quagmire in Civil War is not only a significant contribution to our understanding of why some civil wars become prolonged, but also an important work adding to our comprehension of the preferences and interlocking strategic choices of external and domestic actors in civil war in general.' Roger Petersen, Arthur and Ruth Sloan Professor of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology'Professor Schulhofer-Wohl penetrates deeply into the question of why some - but not all - civil wars entrap governments, rebels, and foreign backers. Quagmire's analysis sheds light on Syria's civil war after 2011. It explains why both pro-government and rebel forces often fell back to non-territorial warfare between 2014 and 2016 and why the balance shifted in favor of Asad when Russia especially escalated to back the Syrian government's move for costly territorial control and rebel backers declined to match the escalation. Aspiring policymakers need to go beyond simplistic descriptions of the evolution of civil wars to consider Schulhofer-Wohl's analysis about how decisions by different actors can together produce outcomes not originally foreseen or intended by any side in a civil war.' Robert S. Ford, US Ambassador to Syria, 2011–2014'In this magisterial book, Schulhofer-Wohl takes on a big question: Why do some civil wars become 'quagmires' while others do not? His innovative answer points to the strategic structure of a conflict and associated decision-making problems for the warring parties and their potential foreign backers. Moving research on civil wars in new directions, he brings conceptual rigor to the notion of a civil war quagmire and highlights key mechanisms leading to their emergence. His rigorous empirical approach, which combines hypotheses derived from a formal model, original fieldwork in Lebanon, cross-national statistical tests, and comparative historical research on Chad and Yemen, inspires confidence in his arguments.' Melani Cammett, Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs, Harvard University'While many scholars have viewed the Lebanese Civil War as a key case study in comparative research on armed conflict, it was never quite written. Jonah Schulhofer-Wohl has finally done that job, and no one could have done it better. Quagmire in Civil War at once provides theoretical sophistication, in-depth empirical analysis, and policy relevance. It is one of the best studies on Lebanon and the Middle East I have seen in a very long time; a strong rebuke to anyone still claiming that Middle East studies fails to contribute to political science and the comparative study of war and peace.' Reinoud Leenders, Reader at the Department of War Studies, King's College London, and author of Spoils of Truce: Corruption and State-Building in Postwar Lebanon'How do warring parties get trapped in interminable civil wars, unable either to win or withdraw? In this important new book, Jonah Schulhofer-Wohl explains why quagmire is the tragic consequence of particular strategic interactions between contending factions and their foreign backers, and not the result of domestic constraints, strategic myopia, or other decision-making pathologies. Theoretically rigorous and empirically rich, Quagmire in Civil War is an exemplary work of policy-relevant social science.' Stephen M. Walt, Robert and Renée Belfer Professor of International Affairs, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University'Quagmire in Civil War offers not only a fascinating read on a highly relevant topic, but provides a model for how statistics, game theory, history, and political science can present a challenging topic.' Jerry Lenaburg, New York Journal of Books'Quagmire in Civil War is a masterpiece of conflict studies, combining a variety of research methods to explain a confusing phenomenon which tends to compound war's dangers and bog down superpowers in foreign theaters.' Giuseppe Spatafora, Journal of Peace Research'This is an excellent and important academic book that will interest Middle East scholars, political scientists, and political economists.' Laia Balcells, The Middle East Journal'… the book provides a rigorous understanding of the mechanisms of foreign-domestic entanglement in civil wars. The quantitative comparative analysis of 140 civil wars that follows the in-depth study of the Lebanese case convincingly points to the wide applicability of the theory. From this perspective, the book is a vital reference for scholars of civil wars and internationalisation of local conflicts, setting the stage for a new research agenda for the study of quagmire, its causes, duration, effects and implications for local belligerents, foreign powers and most crucially the civilian populations that are always at the receiving end of the nightmares of quagmires.' Marina Calculli, The International SpectatorTable of Contents1. Introduction; 2. A theory of quagmire; 3. The Lebanese civil war, 1975–1990: issues, actors, turning points, explanations; 4. Mechanisms of quagmire in Lebanon; 5. Civil wars worldwide, 1944–2006; 6. Comparative evidence from Chad and Yemen; 7. A field guide to quagmire.

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Book SynopsisAn important and topical contribution to the field of Middle East studies, this innovative, provocative, and timely study tackles head-on the main assumptions of the foundation of Israel as a Jewish state. Theoretically sophisticated and empirically rich, Yaacov Yadgar provides a novel analysis of the interplay between Israeli nationalism and Jewish tradition, arriving at a fresh understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through its focus on internal questions about Israeli identity. By critiquing and transcending the current discourse on religion and politics in Israel, this study brings to an international audience debates within Israel that have been previously inaccessible to non-Hebrew speaking academics. Featuring discussions on Israeli jurisprudence, nation-state law, and rabbinic courts, Israel''s Jewish Identity Crisis will have far-reaching implications, not only within the state of Israel but on politics, society and culture beyond its borders.Trade Review'Readers interested in untangling the many arguments swirling through Israel today may find this addition to Cambridge's 'The Global Middle East' series of interest.' G. M. Massey, Choice'To the large library devoted to modern Jewish-Israeli identity Yaacov Yadgar's newest book is, despite its relative slimness, a weighty addition. As its aim is to expose the root causes of the spiritual crisis Yadgar sees engulfing public life in Israel, the book is indeed innovatively 'radical' in its analytical attitude and breadth of discussion.' Israel Studies Review'… a robust analysis of the politics of identity in Israel, one that connects seemingly abstract and technical theological arguments with contemporary political and social issues within the frame-work of post-secularism.' Glen Rangwala, Journal of Modern Jewish StudiesTable of ContentsPreface; Introduction. Israel's Jewish identity crisis; 1. The politics of religious conversion and the limits of Zionist nationhood; 2. Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people?; 3. Two contemporary debates on Zionism and secularism; 4. Non-Jewish Israeli nationalism and the limits of Israeliness.

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Book SynopsisOur understanding of civil war is shot through with the spectre of quagmire, a situation that traps belligerents, compounding and entrenching war''s dangers. Despite the subject''s importance, its causes are obscure. A pervasive ''folk'' notion that quagmire is intrinsic to certain countries or wars has foreclosed inquiry, and scholarship has failed to identify quagmire as an object of study in its own right. Schulhofer-Wohl provides the first treatment of quagmire in civil war. In a rigorous but accessible analysis, he explains how quagmire can emerge from domestic-international interactions and strategic choices. To support the argument, Schulhofer-Wohl draws upon field research on Lebanon''s sixteen-year civil war, structured comparisons with civil wars in Chad and Yemen, and rigorous statistical analyses of all civil wars worldwide fought between 1944 and 2006. The results make clear that the ''folk'' notion misdiagnoses quagmire and demand that we revisit policies that rest upon iTrade Review'This brilliant and erudite book, the outcome of assiduous and painstaking research, pulls together the premises underlying the heuristic metaphor of Quagmire. It is a master stroke. Destined, in my view, to become a landmark, a tour de force, even a classic for the analysis of civil wars in their diverse origins and manifestations. Like other classics, Professor Schulhofer-Wohl offers an enlightened theoretical paradigm, grounded empirical fieldwork, sustained by compelling prose. Equally appealing, he adopts a multilayered approach that draws on both internationally and domestically-centered perspectives to analyze the strategic interactions between foreign states and internal warring parties. In short, to understand how belligerents become entrapped in civil wars.' Samir Khalaf, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, American University of Beirut'It is sometimes said that powers 'find' themselves bogged down in quagmires. In this lucidly written work, Jonah Schulhofer-Wohl argues that 'quagmires are made, not found.' Schulhofer-Wohl shows just how foreign backers and belligerents make quagmires through the interaction of their strategic choices. Quagmire in Civil War is not only a significant contribution to our understanding of why some civil wars become prolonged, but also an important work adding to our comprehension of the preferences and interlocking strategic choices of external and domestic actors in civil war in general.' Roger Petersen, Arthur and Ruth Sloan Professor of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology'Professor Schulhofer-Wohl penetrates deeply into the question of why some - but not all - civil wars entrap governments, rebels, and foreign backers. Quagmire's analysis sheds light on Syria's civil war after 2011. It explains why both pro-government and rebel forces often fell back to non-territorial warfare between 2014 and 2016 and why the balance shifted in favor of Asad when Russia especially escalated to back the Syrian government's move for costly territorial control and rebel backers declined to match the escalation. Aspiring policymakers need to go beyond simplistic descriptions of the evolution of civil wars to consider Schulhofer-Wohl's analysis about how decisions by different actors can together produce outcomes not originally foreseen or intended by any side in a civil war.' Robert S. Ford, US Ambassador to Syria, 2011–2014'In this magisterial book, Schulhofer-Wohl takes on a big question: Why do some civil wars become 'quagmires' while others do not? His innovative answer points to the strategic structure of a conflict and associated decision-making problems for the warring parties and their potential foreign backers. Moving research on civil wars in new directions, he brings conceptual rigor to the notion of a civil war quagmire and highlights key mechanisms leading to their emergence. His rigorous empirical approach, which combines hypotheses derived from a formal model, original fieldwork in Lebanon, cross-national statistical tests, and comparative historical research on Chad and Yemen, inspires confidence in his arguments.' Melani Cammett, Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs, Harvard University'While many scholars have viewed the Lebanese Civil War as a key case study in comparative research on armed conflict, it was never quite written. Jonah Schulhofer-Wohl has finally done that job, and no one could have done it better. Quagmire in Civil War at once provides theoretical sophistication, in-depth empirical analysis, and policy relevance. It is one of the best studies on Lebanon and the Middle East I have seen in a very long time; a strong rebuke to anyone still claiming that Middle East studies fails to contribute to political science and the comparative study of war and peace.' Reinoud Leenders, Reader at the Department of War Studies, King's College London, and author of Spoils of Truce: Corruption and State-Building in Postwar Lebanon'How do warring parties get trapped in interminable civil wars, unable either to win or withdraw? In this important new book, Jonah Schulhofer-Wohl explains why quagmire is the tragic consequence of particular strategic interactions between contending factions and their foreign backers, and not the result of domestic constraints, strategic myopia, or other decision-making pathologies. Theoretically rigorous and empirically rich, Quagmire in Civil War is an exemplary work of policy-relevant social science.' Stephen M. Walt, Robert and Renée Belfer Professor of International Affairs, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University'Quagmire in Civil War offers not only a fascinating read on a highly relevant topic, but provides a model for how statistics, game theory, history, and political science can present a challenging topic.' Jerry Lenaburg, New York Journal of Books'Quagmire in Civil War is a masterpiece of conflict studies, combining a variety of research methods to explain a confusing phenomenon which tends to compound war's dangers and bog down superpowers in foreign theaters.' Giuseppe Spatafora, Journal of Peace Research'This is an excellent and important academic book that will interest Middle East scholars, political scientists, and political economists.' Laia Balcells, The Middle East Journal'… the book provides a rigorous understanding of the mechanisms of foreign-domestic entanglement in civil wars. The quantitative comparative analysis of 140 civil wars that follows the in-depth study of the Lebanese case convincingly points to the wide applicability of the theory. From this perspective, the book is a vital reference for scholars of civil wars and internationalisation of local conflicts, setting the stage for a new research agenda for the study of quagmire, its causes, duration, effects and implications for local belligerents, foreign powers and most crucially the civilian populations that are always at the receiving end of the nightmares of quagmires.' Marina Calculli, The International SpectatorTable of Contents1. Introduction; 2. A theory of quagmire; 3. The Lebanese civil war, 1975–1990: issues, actors, turning points, explanations; 4. Mechanisms of quagmire in Lebanon; 5. Civil wars worldwide, 1944–2006; 6. Comparative evidence from Chad and Yemen; 7. A field guide to quagmire.

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Book SynopsisAn important and topical contribution to the field of Middle East studies, this innovative, provocative, and timely study tackles head-on the main assumptions of the foundation of Israel as a Jewish state. Theoretically sophisticated and empirically rich, Yaacov Yadgar provides a novel analysis of the interplay between Israeli nationalism and Jewish tradition, arriving at a fresh understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through its focus on internal questions about Israeli identity. By critiquing and transcending the current discourse on religion and politics in Israel, this study brings to an international audience debates within Israel that have been previously inaccessible to non-Hebrew speaking academics. Featuring discussions on Israeli jurisprudence, nation-state law, and rabbinic courts, Israel''s Jewish Identity Crisis will have far-reaching implications, not only within the state of Israel but on politics, society and culture beyond its borders.Trade Review'Readers interested in untangling the many arguments swirling through Israel today may find this addition to Cambridge's 'The Global Middle East' series of interest.' G. M. Massey, Choice'To the large library devoted to modern Jewish-Israeli identity Yaacov Yadgar's newest book is, despite its relative slimness, a weighty addition. As its aim is to expose the root causes of the spiritual crisis Yadgar sees engulfing public life in Israel, the book is indeed innovatively 'radical' in its analytical attitude and breadth of discussion.' Israel Studies Review'… a robust analysis of the politics of identity in Israel, one that connects seemingly abstract and technical theological arguments with contemporary political and social issues within the frame-work of post-secularism.' Glen Rangwala, Journal of Modern Jewish StudiesTable of ContentsPreface; Introduction. Israel's Jewish identity crisis; 1. The politics of religious conversion and the limits of Zionist nationhood; 2. Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people?; 3. Two contemporary debates on Zionism and secularism; 4. Non-Jewish Israeli nationalism and the limits of Israeliness.

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Book SynopsisPiracy in Somalia sheds light on an often misunderstood world, oversimplified and demonized in the media and largely decontextualized in scholarly and policy works. It examines the root causes of piracy in Somalia, its impact on coastal communities, local views about it, and the measures taken against it. Drawing on six years'' worth of extensive fieldwork, Awet Tewelde Weldemichael amplifies the voices of local communities who have suffered under the heavy weight of illegal fishing, piracy and counter-piracy and makes their struggles comprehensible on their own terms. He also exposes complex webs of crimes within crimes of double-dealing pirates, fraudulent negotiators, duplicitous intermediaries, and treacherous foreign illegal fishers and their local partners. In so doing, this book will help inform regional and global counter-piracy endeavors, avoid possible reversals in the gains so far made against piracy, and identify the gains that need to be made against its root causes.Trade Review'This book is a valuable contribution to the study of Somali piracy.' Kris Inman, African Studies ReviewTable of ContentsPreface and acknowledgments; Introduction: locating Somali piracy in space and discourse; 1. Global root causes and local circumstances of early piracy in Somalia; 2. From cascading troubles of Somali fisheries to the onset of predatory piracy; 3. The epic spiraling of ransom piracy; 4. Local consequences of and responses to piracy; 5. International counter-piracy as a means and an end; Conclusion: IUU fishing is back! When will piracy?; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisWesterners on both the left and right overwhelmingly conflate globalisation with Westernisation and presume that the global economy is a pure Western-creation. Taking on the traditional Eurocentric Big Bang theory, or the ''expansion of the West'' narrative, this book reveals the multicultural origins of globalisation and the global economy, not so as to marginalise the West but to show how it has long been embedded in complex interconnections and co-constitutive interactions with non-Western actors/agents and processes. The central empirical theme is the role of Indian structural power that was derived from Indian cotton textile exports. Indian structural power organised the first (historical-capitalist) global economy between 1500 and c.1850 and performed a vital, albeit indirect, role in the making of Western empire, industrialisation and the second (modern-capitalist) global economy. These textiles underpinned the complex inter-relations between Africa, West/Central/East/Southeast Asia, the Americas and Europe that collectively drove global economic development forward.Trade Review'Building on his past path-breaking work, Hobson lays a historical foundation for a 'non-Eurocentric new Global Political Economy' in this engagingly written book. Teachers will be rewriting their lectures after reading its many fascinating arguments about the role of the 'non-West' in constructing the global economy.' Eric Helleiner, University of Waterloo'Hobson's compelling story takes us beyond Eurocentrism without falling prey to Eastern-centrism, finally offering a proper global-historical account that locates the origins of capitalism and the global economy not in 'the West' nor in 'the East' but in the complex relations in-between. This is a much-needed work of historiographical synthesis and conceptual innovation.' Julian Go, Boston University'This is a masterful and revisionary account of the premodern and global lineages of capitalism. It shows how the complexity of non-European societies and economies shaped their encounter with Europe as well as with each other. A necessary and supple corrective to Eurocentric histories of both modernity and globalization.' Ania Loomba, University of Pennsylvania'… monumental work … Highly recommended.' M. F. Farrell, Choice MagazineTable of Contents1. Taking Stock for the Journey Ahead – Mapping a New Global Political Economy; Part I. Multicultural Origins of the First (Historical Capitalist) Global Economy, 1500–1850: 2. Going Global 1.0: Chinese Agency in the Making of the First Global Economy; 3. The Afro-Indian Pivot (I): Indian Structural Power and the Global Atlantic System; 4. The Afro-Indian Pivot (II): Entangled Agencies and Power of Africans, Indians and West Asian Muslims; 5. Entangled Indo-European Agencies: Implications of Indian Structural Power; 6. Indian Merchant-Financial Capitalists: Navigating beyond the Western-centric Sea Frontier; Part II. What was Global about the First Global Economy, 1500–c.1850?: 7. Countering the Neoliberal/Transformationalist Rejection of the First Global Economy: Un-veiling Global Structural Properties; 8. Countering the Fundamentalist-Marxist Rejection of the First Global Economy: Un-veiling Global Historical Capitalism; Part III. The First Global Economy in the Making of Modern Industrial Capitalism, 1500–1800: 9. The Global Atlantic-Production Driver and the Imperial Primitive Accumulation of British Capital; 10. The Global Atlantic-Consumption Driver and British Late-Developmental Agency in Global Uneven and Combined Development; Part IV: Differing 'Developmental Architectures' in Differing Global Contexts in the Second Great Divergence, 1600–1800: 11. Why Britain initiated a Cotton-Industrialization and why India and China did not; 12. Why Britain initiated an Iron and Steel Industrialization and why India and China did not; Part V. Rehabilitating and Provincializing Western Imperialism: Afro-Asians Inside and Outside the Shadow of Empire: 13. Multicultural Origins of the Second Global Economy: Un-veiling the 'Multicultural Contact Zone', C.1850–C.1940; 14. Varieties of Global Economy: From Historical Capitalism to Modern Capitalism, C.1500–2020.

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Book SynopsisWesterners on both the left and right overwhelmingly conflate globalisation with Westernisation and presume that the global economy is a pure Western-creation. Taking on the traditional Eurocentric Big Bang theory, or the ''expansion of the West'' narrative, this book reveals the multicultural origins of globalisation and the global economy, not so as to marginalise the West but to show how it has long been embedded in complex interconnections and co-constitutive interactions with non-Western actors/agents and processes. The central empirical theme is the role of Indian structural power that was derived from Indian cotton textile exports. Indian structural power organised the first (historical-capitalist) global economy between 1500 and c.1850 and performed a vital, albeit indirect, role in the making of Western empire, industrialisation and the second (modern-capitalist) global economy. These textiles underpinned the complex inter-relations between Africa, West/Central/East/Southeast Trade Review'Building on his past path-breaking work, Hobson lays a historical foundation for a 'non-Eurocentric new Global Political Economy' in this engagingly written book. Teachers will be rewriting their lectures after reading its many fascinating arguments about the role of the 'non-West' in constructing the global economy.' Eric Helleiner, University of Waterloo'Hobson's compelling story takes us beyond Eurocentrism without falling prey to Eastern-centrism, finally offering a proper global-historical account that locates the origins of capitalism and the global economy not in 'the West' nor in 'the East' but in the complex relations in-between. This is a much-needed work of historiographical synthesis and conceptual innovation.' Julian Go, Boston University'This is a masterful and revisionary account of the premodern and global lineages of capitalism. It shows how the complexity of non-European societies and economies shaped their encounter with Europe as well as with each other. A necessary and supple corrective to Eurocentric histories of both modernity and globalization.' Ania Loomba, University of Pennsylvania'… monumental work … Highly recommended.' M. F. Farrell, Choice MagazineTable of Contents1. Taking Stock for the Journey Ahead – Mapping a New Global Political Economy; Part I. Multicultural Origins of the First (Historical Capitalist) Global Economy, 1500–1850: 2. Going Global 1.0: Chinese Agency in the Making of the First Global Economy; 3. The Afro-Indian Pivot (I): Indian Structural Power and the Global Atlantic System; 4. The Afro-Indian Pivot (II): Entangled Agencies and Power of Africans, Indians and West Asian Muslims; 5. Entangled Indo-European Agencies: Implications of Indian Structural Power; 6. Indian Merchant-Financial Capitalists: Navigating beyond the Western-centric Sea Frontier; Part II. What was Global about the First Global Economy, 1500–c.1850?: 7. Countering the Neoliberal/Transformationalist Rejection of the First Global Economy: Un-veiling Global Structural Properties; 8. Countering the Fundamentalist-Marxist Rejection of the First Global Economy: Un-veiling Global Historical Capitalism; Part III. The First Global Economy in the Making of Modern Industrial Capitalism, 1500–1800: 9. The Global Atlantic-Production Driver and the Imperial Primitive Accumulation of British Capital; 10. The Global Atlantic-Consumption Driver and British Late-Developmental Agency in Global Uneven and Combined Development; Part IV: Differing 'Developmental Architectures' in Differing Global Contexts in the Second Great Divergence, 1600–1800: 11. Why Britain initiated a Cotton-Industrialization and why India and China did not; 12. Why Britain initiated an Iron and Steel Industrialization and why India and China did not; Part V. Rehabilitating and Provincializing Western Imperialism: Afro-Asians Inside and Outside the Shadow of Empire: 13. Multicultural Origins of the Second Global Economy: Un-veiling the 'Multicultural Contact Zone', C.1850–C.1940; 14. Varieties of Global Economy: From Historical Capitalism to Modern Capitalism, C.1500–2020.

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Book SynopsisThe aim of this collective volume is to study the crucial aspects related to the interconnection between the political economy of energy security and national security, which is of great importance globally, due to great volatility and complexity.Several conceptual frameworks regarding the issue of energy security are examined in order to understand the relationships between relevant parameters and then to investigate their implications for national security. Research needs to examine how energy security affects national security of nation states around the world, either as producers or consumers of energy resources.In this volume, the theory of realism is employed for the analysis of such concepts, as it emphasizes the primary importance of any given state and its national security, whereas realism is essentially a political ideology and looks to provide the proper spectrum for further analysis.The fact that the political economy of energy security and the political economy of national security are addressed as separate parts in the literature are among the main drawbacks in our effort to comprehend the issues concerned. The abovementioned results to a dichotomy that affects the ontological and epistemological essence of the two pillars of the issue in question based on our working hypothesis should be addressed in a complementary and interconnected way. Addressing both theoretical concepts and case studies to validate the argument, the authors believe that the academic level of the proposed subject is related to graduate and postgraduate studies.

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Book SynopsisIn todays ever-expanding global movement of people border security becomes increasingly important. Stopping the illegal movement of weapons, drugs, and people, while allowing lawful trade and travel, is essential to our nations security and economic prosperity. This book examines the funding, technologies and enforcement used to keep our borders secure. Chapter 1 reviews the critical infrastructure, technology, and personnel funding needed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to enhance our Nations border security. On 25 January 2017, in one of his first acts as President, Donald Trump ordered the immediate construction of a physical wall on the southern border. As reported in chapter 2, Border Patrol agents have rarely recommended building a wall to address the most commonly identified vulnerabilities or capability gaps along the southwest border. More often, agents recommended additional technology and personnel as solutions for securing the border. The U.S. Border Patrol, within the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has made progress deploying surveillance technologya mix of radars, sensors, and camerasalong the southwest U.S. border as described in chapter 3. There is a wave of foreign nationals headed for the U.S. southern border. Chapter 4 discusses the impending arrival of what was initially called an immigrant caravan, which remains a challenge of U.S. border security. The San Diego-based group, Pueblo Sin Fronteras, or People Without Borders, has taken credit for organizing the effort. While they claim to provide humanitarian aid to migrants and refugees, what they are doing now is undermining the rule of law. Chapter 5 highlights the potential vulnerabilities in the visa issuance process. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a component within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), implemented the Visa Security Program (VSP) in 2003. ICE has since deployed officials to certain U.S. embassies and consulates overseas to strengthen the visa review process by working with Department of State (State) consular officers in reviewing applications.

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Book SynopsisSet in the South and Southeast Region, this book attempts to analyse the implications of both genocides perpetrated on the unarmed Rohingya minority community in Myanmar, and the geopolitics of the powers of the region that deter the resolution of this festering problem. The book highlights the helplessness of the UN system to take any punitive actions against the perpetrators (ie: the security forces of Myanmar) given that China, India and Russia, who are taking the side of Myanmar for geopolitical reasons. They have exercised their vetoes at the UNSC to such an action. The book describes the key players in this region, their interests, compulsions and imperatives, and covers different strategies launched by the United States, China, India, Japan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar that tend to stall the resolution of the process or even refusing to take back the Rohingya refugees -- 1.1 million of them including children and women -- now languishing in the cramped camps inside Bangladesh. Most of these refugees were forced to flee their ancestral homes after a ghastly genocide meted out to them in October 2017. Such massacres have been taking place in a series of violence starting from 1977-8. This issue has huge regional security implications. The ugly heads of insurgency are also looming large. This has turned out to be a huge burden on the economy and environment of Bangladesh. However, different donor agencies including UNHCR are providing relief and rehabilitation. The author provides ramifications and reflections in the form of scenario development and suggesting certain options -- uniqueness of this book -- on this festering humanitarian issue.Table of ContentsList of Figures; List of Abbreviations; Introduction; Organization of the Book; Background History of the Rohingyas in Arakan: From the Kingdom of Arakan to the Colonial Era; Relevant Burmese Modern History; To Define the Rohingya Problem; Strategic Significance of the Area; 1974 Constitution: A Turning Event in Myanmar History?; Role of the Monks; What Genocide/Crime against Humanity/Ethnic Cleansing Entails; Can the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecute the Perpetrators? 91; Geopolitics Involved; Possibility of Local Insurgency Getting Entrenched; Possibility of Rohingya Going back to Myanmar this Time Round; Plight of Bangladesh in Sheltering the Rohingyas; Scenario Development; Suggestions: Few Doable; References; About the Author; Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book emphasizes the comparative study of theoretical as well as hypothetical issues of structural realism of international relations theory vis-Ã-vis those of systemic geopolitical analysis. Are they scientific fields evolved in parallel, common philosophical and cognitive roots? Could they be used as complementary theoretical tools or their relation is disjunctive and contrapuntal? When decoding the core hypotheses of structural realism and systemic geopolitical analysis, an effort takes place for the sake of the central scientific aim; i.e. the untainted descriptive analysis without ontologically groundless claims. The debate on interstate relations and the framework, on which these are structured, is long-term with its philosophical background detected at the juxtaposition between those referring to "sein" and the others expressing the "sollen". This research struggles to explain the converging and diverging points of view between the neorealist approach of international relations theory and the systemic geopolitical analysis.Table of ContentsForeword by Emeritus Professor Panayiotis Ifestos; Introduction; Ontological References; Structural Realism; Systemic Geopolitical Analysis; Convergences; Divergences; Epistemological and Methodological Contradictions; The Waltzian Programmer and Systemic Geopolitics; An Evolution of the Waltzian Programmer: John Mearsheimers Approach; Concluding Remarks; Bibliography.

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Book SynopsisDue to political realities, America seems about to take steps to leave Iraq within 1 or 2 years in large numbers -- an outward surge. Yet because of the geopolitical significance of the region, vast oil reserves and the rampant terrorist activities -- wholesale retreat will not be easy and perhaps not even desirable. This book brings together important analyses dealing with the current status in Iraq as well as projecting a post-war Iraq.

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Book SynopsisEncircling India from different flanks is seemingly a key strategic objective of China, apart from others. China needs dominance in this part of the world both for economic and strategic reasons. China wants to regain its lost grandeur that it lost during the ''Century of Humiliation'' on the world stage. Southeast Asia is generally under Chinas influence, by means foul or fair. It could even manage the Philippines after it got a verdict in its favour in the international court on an issue related to the South China Sea. Chinas economic power is impacting its relations with Southeast Asian countries. Given the recent conflict between China and India, India is more likely to align itself with the United States. India is a strong partner in the Quadrilateral Dialogue (QUAD), alongside Japan, the United States, and Australia. The QUAD is getting stronger militarily, and the U.S. has been generous to India, especially under former President George W. Bush, who signed a civil nuclear agreement that set India as a nuclear power. India is likely to become a potent naval force in the Indian Ocean, where China is also making advances. China is now more closely aligned with Russia. The combined forces of China and Russia are a great deterrent to the United States. Added to that, the Bridge and Road Initiative (BRI) is drawing more countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. The coming decade wont be divided by an iron curtain but clearly by two blocks vying for influence. China has huge economic and proximity advantage whereas the United States has its military component and potent alliance powers especially with India and Japan. After the pandemic, the turn of history may be different, so the 21st century scenario development may be problematic as it stands now. That said, the book attempts projection and scenario development extrapolating the vexed issues and events between India and China within the broader framework of Indo-Pacific.

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Book Synopsis'Defying the Dragon' tells a remarkable story of audacity: of how the people of Hong Kong challenged the PRC’s authority, just as its president reached the height of his powers. Is Xi’s China as unshakeable as it seems? What are its real interests in Hong Kong? Why are Beijing’s time-honoured means of control no longer working there? And where does this leave Hongkongers themselves? Stephen Vines has lived in Hong Kong for over three decades. His book shrewdly unpacks the Hong Kong–China relationship and its wider significance—right up to the astonishing convergence of political turmoil and international crisis with Covid-19 and the 2020 crackdown. Vividly describing the uprising from street level, Vines explains how and why it unfolded, and its global repercussions. Now, the international community is reassessing relations with Beijing, just as Hong Kong’s rebellion and China’s handling of the pandemic have exposed the regime’s weakness. In a crisis that has become existential all round, what lies ahead for Hong Kong, China and the world?Trade Review'Written with honesty and integrity, [Defying the Dragon] chronicles a critical moment in Hong Kong’s history as the city prepares for an unclear future.' -- Post Magazine

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY BOOK AWARDS'Thought-provoking and well worth reading' Times Literary SupplementAfter decades of peace and prosperity, the international order put in place after World War II is rapidly coming to an end. Disastrous foreign wars, global recession, the meteoric rise of China and India and the COVID pandemic have undermined the power of the West's international institutions and unleashed the forces of nationalism and protectionism.In this lucid and groundbreaking analysis, one of Britain's most experienced senior diplomats highlights the key dilemmas Britain faces, from trade to security, arguing that international co-operation and solidarity are the surest ways to prosper in a world more dangerous than ever.Trade ReviewA bracing, stimulating, utterly timely call for the UK to take a very hard look at its place in the world post-Brexit and after Covid. Peter Ricketts tells us we have nothing to lose but our illusions. He's right. * Peter Hennessy, author of Winds of Change *Thought-provoking and well worth reading * Times Literary Supplement *As one of Britain's top diplomats, Ricketts had a close-up view of some of the most dramatic events of recent decades... he takes a tough-minded look at the country's post-Brexit options - making the case for realistic internationalism and renewed engagement with Europe. * Gideon Rachman, Financial Times *Peter Ricketts has put all of his experience and authority into this clear, accessible and unvarnished account of Britain's place in the world. If you want to understand the big choices ahead, read this book. * David Miliband, President of the International Rescue Committee and former Foreign Secretary *Bursting with anecdotes and new perspectives... a perfect introduction for those engaging in the crucial-and newly wide open-debate about where Britain sits in the world, and where it goes next. * Prospect *Searing... The hardest choice for the UK is "to accept reality", Ricketts argues. * Financial Times *Where others deal in soundbites and slogans, Peter Ricketts brings his deep expertise and wisdom to bear on the great issues facing Britain as it rethinks its role in the world. He offers a riveting analysis of what our interests really are at a time of severe strain on the liberal democratic order, and a wealth of insights into how best we should pursue them. * Ivan Rogers *A clarion call for a post-Brexit national conversation and a new national strategy. Written with grace and clarity, Hard Choices is a book for every informed citizen concerned for Britain's future in a dangerous and unpredictable world. * Vernon Bogdanor, CBE FBA, Professor of Government, King's College, London *As Britain defines its post-Brexit role against the backdrop of a more fragmented, complex and uncertain world, Peter Ricketts offers sage advice about next steps, including the need for a focused strategy and international cooperation. Hard Choices is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of this country. * Karin von Hippel, Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute *Incisive, stimulating and highly-readable. Peter Ricketts turns forty years' experience of British foreign policymaking into a road map of where Britain should be going in the post-Brexit, post-Covid world. * David Reynolds, author of Island Stories: An Unconventional History of Britain *Peter Ricketts has used his experience as one of the best diplomats of his generation to produce a book that is magisterial in its scope and analysis -- and in its recommendations for how the UK can use the realities of the post-Brexit era to its advantage. Essential reading for all who care about Britain's position in the world. * Jack Straw, former Foreign Secretary *A sharp and salutary reality check from one of Britain's wisest and most experienced diplomats. Peter Ricketts has a simple message: despite Brexit, Britain remains a European power and must reject isolationist and imperial delusions. * Andrew Adonis *A clearer analysis of Britain in the 2020s will not be found: read this brilliant book. * Sir Anthony Seldon *With a combination of behind-the-scenes anecdotes and sharp analysis, Peter Ricketts uses his extensive diplomatic and national security experience to consider the importance of thinking strategically about the future role of Britain in the world. * Rt Hon Baroness Catherine Ashton GCMG PC *No one is more able than Peter Ricketts by experience and wisdom, to set out clearly and sensibly the broad parameters of Britain's strategy in the age of Brexit, pandemic, climate change and the threats to liberal democracies from China. A sensible Government would implement these proposals with enthusiasm straight away. * Chris Patten, Chancellor of the University of Oxford and former Governor of Hong Kong *A candid and sometimes brutal sizing up of past mistakes, of chances missed and of opportunities still open. This dissection of British strategic choices by the UK's first National Security Adviser and one of our most experienced diplomats reveals not just the inside story of how we got here but what it will feel like to be in the room when the hard choices have to be made. * Professor Sir David Omand, former director of GCHQ *Sharp and engaging... All of us who care about Britain remaining a major force in shaping the international order should pay careful attention to both the analysis and policy recommendations of Hard Choices. * Kori Schake, Director of Foreign and Defense Policy at the American Enterprise Institute *Table of Contents0: Introduction 1: Imagining the Post-War Order 2: Managing an Alliance of Unequals 3: Rethinking the Use of Force 4: Picking the Right Threats 5: Reviving the Lost Art of Strategy 6: Finding the Power to Influence 7: Triangle of Tension: Britain, America and China 8: The International System and the Lure of the New 9: Trade, Values and the Mercantilist Trap 10: How Far Offshore? Britain, Europe and the Indo-Pacific Tilt 11: Conclusion

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Book SynopsisAccording to many experts, China is already the largest economy on the planet – yet its relations with the rest of the world have deteriorated in recent years, and are now at an all-time low. Is this a passing phase caused by the shockwaves of the Covid pandemic and the personalities of leaders in China and in the USA, or are the current divergencies going to become wider and more entrenched, as China grows economically and develops technological leadership? Can the West learn from its past mistakes and engage successfully with China on many common interests, or are we on the verge of a new Cold War? In The Chinese Conundrum, Vince Cable – author of the Sunday Times number-one bestseller The Storm: The World Economic Crisis and What it Means – provides an answer to these and many other topical questions of global politics and economy, examining the long history of relationships between China and the West, as well as the change in attitudes on both sides of the divide, with a particular focus on the possible repercussions of the recent election of Joe Biden as president of the United States. The result is a gripping, insightful and accessible investigation into the intricacies of today’s economic and geopolitical situation.

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Book SynopsisThis timely collection offers fresh perspectives on the analysis of the "New Great Game" -- the fight for access to the former Soviet Union's energy resources. Thus far the export of crude oil and natural gas has only been assessed through a geopolitical lens, which oversimplifies the political dynamics of the region and neglects to acknowledge the post-Soviet countries as actors in their own right. Broadening the scope of analysis, this volume brings together insights from various different angles, including the securitisation of energy issues, the formation of post-Soviet energy policies, and the motives of local business and political actors.

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Book SynopsisRolando Dromundo presents a political and historical analysis of the state-building processes in Ukraine, Moldova, and the unrecognized Republic of Pridnestrovia from the Soviet fall until 2015, starting with a sketch of the main geopolitical trend that surrounds these polities and its influences on them, and paying special attention to the vicissitudes of the Ukrainian political crisis of 201314 and its immediate consequences in Crimea and the Donbass. This book is a must for scholars with an interest in the Post-Soviet Space and to anyone curious about an international conflict from a realist perspective. It offers an original insight on the understanding of the oligarchs role in the Ukrainian political life and presents a different perspective of the unrecognized Republic of Pridnestrovia. Dromundo writes neither pro-Russian nor pro-Western. He sheds light on the problems from different angles and illustrates how the local inhabitants turned out to become the biggest losers in the game because they have fallen prey to local elites allied with different foreign powers disregarding local identities and needs. Altogether, the book helps to better understand the complexity of local state-building processes in a multiethnic society. Rolando Dromundo presents a political and historical analysis of the state-building processes in Ukraine, Moldova, and the unrecognized Republic of Pridnestrovia from the Soviet fall until 2015, starting with a sketch of the main geopolitical trend that surrounds these polities and its influences on them, and paying special attention to the vicissitudes of the Ukrainian political crisis of 201314 and its immediate consequences in Crimea and the Donbass. This book is a must for scholars with an interest in the Post-Soviet Space and to anyone curious about an international conflict from a realist perspective. It offers an original insight on the understanding of the oligarchs role in the Ukrainian political life and presents a different perspective of the unrecognized Republic of Pridnestrovia. Dromundo writes neither pro-Russian nor pro-Western. He sheds light on the problems from different angles and illustrates how the local inhabitants turned out to become the biggest losers in the game because they have fallen prey to local elites allied with different foreign powers disregarding local identities and needs. Altogether, the book helps to better understand the complexity of local state-building processes in a multiethnic society.

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Book SynopsisThe twenty-first century geopolitics is gradually concentrating on the maritime world with the increase in the global economic interaction in the post liberalization world. The sea lanes of communication are attracting attention with the growing emphasis on economic interactions among the emerging economies with emphasis on military strength, especially in Asia. According to some scholars the twenty-first century global power is shifting from the Atlantic to the Pacific world where the maritime world has historically played significant role. This growing economic interdependencies promoting economic prosperity and resultant military modernization are shaping the geopolitics of Asia today as it is found in East Asia. In this part of the world the geopolitics has been maritime in character and today they are significant with the growing importance of maritime disputes in East and South China Sea among the emerging power China and her neighbours in the region, and with special role of the USA.South China Sea is fast emerging as a major zone of conflict in the East Asian, especially Southeast Asian, geopolitics. Although the soul of the conflict remains the centuries old territorial dispute over possession of some geographical features of this maritime zone, it is gradually transcending the periphery of inter-state territorial feud and emerging as the driving force of an Asian cold war of the twenty-first century. In this context it is important to study the South China Sea geopolitics with reference to its history. The book here is an attempt to study the South China Sea geopolitics of today with reference to its past and investigate its character. The study here does not revolve round the territorial disputes and their historical character and legality but rather attempts to focus on the larger context of traditional intermingling of regional and extra-regional actors shaping the maritime geopolitics there in the past and at present, sometimes independent of the disputes while sometimes in their context. Here reference of India is also made given her growing interest and role in the South China Sea maritime zone.

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Book SynopsisPakistan Insights 2023 is the fourth in the Pakistan Insights' series brought out by the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) to deepen understanding of Pakistan. Ideas for the various chapters are based on monthly discussions held in the Pakistan Study Group (PSG) that was set up in February 2018 in the VIF. The previous three editions- Pakistan Insights 2019, Pakistan Insights 2020 and Pakistan Insights 2021-22 received widespread acclaim and it is hoped that this edition, too, would be well received. Pakistan Insights 2023 takes a deep dive into some of the critical issues facing Pakistan. It begins with the latest developments in Pakistan up to the announcement of the date of the general elections and the expulsion of 1.7 million Afghan refugees; goes on to give an overview of the developments in Pakistan in 2023.

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Book SynopsisWest Asia holds significant relevance for India due to a multitude of economic, political, strategic and security factors. India considers the West Asian region as its extended neighbourhood.' Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, India's West Asia policy has received renewed attention, marking a notable transformation in its foreign policy approach towards the countries of the region. In recent years, engagement between India and the West Asian region has moved beyond the traditionally dominant spheres of trade, energy and diaspora ties.

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Book SynopsisThis book represents an effort to present views on peace, security and development partnership between India and the African countries. India and Africa both recognise that peace, security and development are intimately interwoven. While peace ensures opportunity for development, security enables as well as protects fruits of development. Africa is a continent which has witnessed many conflicts. However, Africa has also witnessed economic growth and political reform in the past decade. This volume brings together perspectives from Indian and African experts on diverse issues such as security, trade, development, conflict resolution, peacekeeping, terrorism and climate change.

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Book SynopsisIndia's Asia-Pacific engagement, now in its third decade, has become an integral and irreversible plank of our foreign policy. This volume seeks to provide a new and unique perspective to the discourse on the evolving Look East Policy, updating, assessing, critically evaluating and analyzing developments beyond its first two decades and looking into the impulses and imperatives of India''s growing and deepening engagement with the larger and rapidly changing geo-political space of the Asia-Pacific region, which some now have begun to describe as the Indo-Pacific. The essays in this compilation, written by former practitioners and some eminent experts, cover various aspects of our evolving engagement, going beyond the ASEAN geo-political space and the hitherto traditional areas of focus, importantly now covering strategic, security, political, economic, cultural and the diaspora aspects of our enlarged engagement, also suggesting a road map and specific next steps for enduring partnership in the coming decade.

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Book SynopsisIt is very evident that much of the scholarly work currently done in the field of defence, human resources, strategic and development studies converges on issues which impact international relations both in policy formulation and its implementation through bilateral or multilateral arrangements. Issues such as Energy, Environment, Disaster Management, Technology, Food, Agriculture, Poverty, Health, Refugees, Migration, Trade, Political Formations among others, are now increasingly influencing global decision-making. The Osmania Universiy Centre for International Programmes-OUCIP-had organized an international conference to reflect on these issues. The present volume is an edited collection of the papers presented at the conference. Divided into nine parts, the essays deal with India's reach, role and responsibility as a soft power, her relations with immediate neighbours as well as the big powers in the decades ahead.

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