East Asia is a potential area of international conflict, with a number of possible flashpoints and with the absence of strong regional organizations able to deal with conflict resolution. At the same time, global powers frequently get involved in the international politics of the region in order to protect their interests. It focuses in particular on the way geographical and historical forces continue to play a key role in shaping international relations here. It considers the role of both regional and international powers, and assesses the risks of war in the region.

Since the Cold War ended, East Asia has become the global focus of unresolved strategic tensions among the great powers. These tensions focus on the Korean peninsula, the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, and have an important maritime dimension. This book presents a comprehensive overview of the geopolitics of the region. It focuses in particular on the way geographic and historical forces continue to play a key role in shaping international relations here. It considers the role of both regional and international powers, and assesses the risks of war in the region.