A discerning account of simmering conflict in the South China Sea and why the world can't afford to be indifferent

China's rise has upset the global balance of power, and the first place to feel the strain is Beijing's back yard: the South China Sea. For decades tensions have smoldered in the region, but today the threat of a direct confrontation among superpowers grows ever more likely. This important book is the first to make clear sense of the South Sea disputes. Bill Hayton, a journalist with extensive experience in the region, examines the high stakes involved for...

A much-needed behind-the-scenes survey of an emerging Asian power