This subject provides students with an introduction to the international politics of the Asia Pacific and focuses particularly on questions of international security and strategy. In 2013 it examines: US regional interests and the Obama administration's 'pivot' to Asia; the China's shift away from its regional 'charm offensive', the interests and policy of a 'normalizing' Japan and the growing regional ambitions of India; Indonesia's role in regional security, Australia's place between China and America, the DPRK, the South China Sea disputes; arms races and nuclear proliferation, the environment and resource security and the efforts to craft a viable multilateral mechanism to manage regional security. The subject concludes with a reflection of the extent to which the centre of gravity in world politics is moving to Asia.

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Readings