Asia, America, and the Transformation of Geopolitics [Paperback]

A provocative account of the state of Asian geopolitics and US foreign policy in Asia.This book is a provocative account of the state of Asian geopolitics and U.S. foreign policy in Asia. Drawing on decades of business and political experience, William H. Overholt argues that there is a tension between Americas continuing Cold War attitudes and its national interests that poses severe problems for U.S. policy.This book is a provocative account of the state of Asian geopolitics and U.S. foreign policy in Asia. Drawing on decades of business and political experience, William H. Overholt argues that there is a tension between Americas continuing Cold War attitudes and its national interests that poses severe problems for U.S. policy.American security and prosperity now depend on Asia. William H. Overholt offers an iconoclastic analysis of developments in each major Asian country, Asian international relations, and U.S. foreign policy. Drawing on decades of political and business experience, he argues that obsolete Cold War attitudes tie the U.S. increasingly to an otherwise isolated Japan and obscure the reality that a U.S.-Chinese bicondominium now manages most Asian issues. Military priorities risk polarizing the region unnecessarily, weaken the economic relationships that engendered American preeminence, and ironically enhance Chinese influence. As a result, despite its Cold War victory, U.S. influence in Asia is declining. Overholt disputes the argument that democracy promotion will lead to superior development and peace, and forecasts a new era in which Asian geopolitics could take a drastically different shape. Covering Japan, China, Russia, Central Asia, India, Pakistan, Korea, and South-East Asia, Overholt offers invaluable insights for scholars, policymakers, business people, and general readers.1. Introduction: The inertia of foreign policies; 2. Cold War assumptions and changing realities; 3. Regional trends; 4. Asia's big powers: Japan and China; 5. Smalllc$