This course examines major geostrategic and security issues facing selected countries in the Pacific Basin, by emphasising both the challenges to regional peace and stability, and opportunities for cooperation. The Asia-Pacific region, as defined for the purposes of this course, is one of the most dynamic regions in the world. In the post-Cold War era, the region has been undergoing a major shift in the balance of power, while struggling with the legacies of the Cold War. With a rising China, a 'rebalancing' US, a more assertive Japan, a nuclear-armed North Korea and two divided nations - Korea and China, as well as several territorial disputes and newly emerging powers in Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific is increasingly important in global military and strategic terms, in addition to its significance in economic ones.
oral exam.
Course materials: reader, power point presentations by the professor. A detailed syllabus will be distributed in class.
Introduction to the course and review of the syllabus; Conceptualisation of the Pacific Basin countries and theoretical perspectives; Alliances, major power relations and strategic competition in the Pacific Basin; geostrategic issues of the Taiwan Strait and the Korean Peninsula; strategy and security in Southeast Asia; territorial disputes and maritime security; multilateralism and institution-building.
