Books in the Asian Security Studies series

This book analyses Chinäs foreign technology acquisition activity and how this has helped its rapid rise to superpower status.

This book proposes a novel theoretical framework of 'interactive arming', in order to explain armament dynamics in contemporary Asia.

This book's main objective is to determine what role, if any, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) plays in de-escalating tensions among its members.

Re-examines the protection of Taiwan by military means following the outbreak of the Korean War, and the establishment of the 'one China' policy in relation to the process of rapprochement during President Nixon's first term in office.

This book offers a timely examination of Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), a chapter of the transnational movement Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT), whose key aim is the revival of the caliphate.It cautions against an overly simplistic read of a group like HTI and political Islam in Indonesia. While there is much to laud, particularly with regard to how leaders in Indonesia have attempted to counteract Islamist extremism, insofar as the trajectory of non-violent Islamism in Indonesia is concerned there are clear reasons for apprehension. Groups like the HTI have been adept at using the democratic space in Indonesia to propound their illiberal objectives, including encouraging the curtailment of Indonesian art forms deemed un-Islamic, and more importantly pushing for certain Islamic sects, such as the Ahmadiyahs, to be banned. Yet, despite its extreme posturing, HTI is accepted as a mainstream Muslim organization. As such, the Indonesian chapter of Hizb ut-Tahrir represents a unique case: unlike other chapters, which are deemed extreme and fringe, HTI, though radical, still exists within the space provided by the Indonesian religio-political landscape.This book offers new insights into HTI's history, organizational structure and ideology, adding considerable new details about HTI and correcting errors in existing literature, while directing its primary focus on explaining HTI's rapid growth in Indonesia. The central argument is that the key to understanding HTI's growth lies in the role collective identity plays in attracting new members and retaining its existing members within the party. Factors such as institutional and non-institutional opportunities within the Indonesian political system, HTI's resource mobilization strategies and the anti-systemic ideology of HTI serve as political, organizational and religious incentives for individuals to join the party and launch collective action. This goes on to emphasize and show that collective identity remains the most crucial factor in the party's growth. Analysing this process of collective identity formation and its impact on recruitment and membership retention is central to this book.This book will be of much interest to students of Southeast Asian politics, regional security, political Islam, and International Relations in general.

This book analyses Chinäs foreign technology acquisition activity and how this has helped its rapid rise to superpower status.

Explores the history of jihadist violence in Kashmir, and argues that the violent conflict which exploded after 1990 was not a historical discontinuity, but, rather, an escalation of what was by then a five-decade old secret war. This work is of interest to students of the India-Pakistan conflict, South Asian politics and security studies.

Presents an investigation of religious radicalism in the largest Muslim country in the world - Indonesia. An analysis of radical Islam, this work draws upon primary documents such as Jemaah Islamiyah's operations manual, interviews, and recorded testimonies of politicians, religious figures, and known militants.

Explores what the acquisition of nuclear weapons means for the life of a protracted conflict. This book argues that the acquisition of nuclear weapons by states keeps conflicts alive indefinitely, as they are maintained by frequent crises and low-to-medium intensity violence, rather than escalating to full-scale wars.

Examining the major academic and policy debates over China's rise and related policy issues, this book looks into the motivations and intentions of a rising China. This work studies the beliefs of contemporary Chinese leaders and their strategic interactions with other states since 1949 when the communist regime came to power.

Offers an analysis of the India-Pakistan nuclear confrontation as a form of 'cold war' - that is, a hostile relationship between nuclear rivals. This book draws on nuclear rivalries between similar pairs, and examines the rise and the process of the Cold War between India and Pakistan.

Investigates China's counter insurgency effort, highlighting the success of an approach centred on reshaping local society and government institutions. This book raises the question of what the United States may be able to learn from China's approach, and argues that a case as Xinjiang needs to be examined in order for terrorism to be defeated.

Interethnic competition in plural societies is often characterized by a 'counterbalance' of political and economic strength between different groups. This book develops a model that explains how and why interethnic bargains between rival groups can erode given different institutional configurations.

Provides an understanding of China's strategic abilities and ambitions, probing the real depths of its plans for the twenty-first century. This work explores similarities between China's strategic outlook and that of continental powers whose submarine fleets challenged dominant maritime powers for regional hegemony.

The book examines a new approach to Chinese foreign policy development in the post-cold war international order.

Offering an evaluation of Taiwan's defence forces and infrastructure, this book also examines Taiwan's armed forces, its Ministry of National Defence, personnel issues, and civil-military relations. It is useful for students of East Asian security and Sino-American relations and for international and security studies in general.