02607 a2200397 4500 1138933694 20250317100351.0 250312042015GB eng 9781138933699 Taylor & Francis GBP 49.99 BB 01 eng JWK thema JWA thema GTM thema JPS thema JPWS thema 1FK bisac JWK bic JWA bic GTB bic JPS bic JPWS bic 1FK bisac HIS003000 bisac HIS027000 bisac POL011000 bisac POL035000 bisac 327.174 bisac Andrew T.H. Tan Arms Race in Asia Trends, causes and implications 1 Oxford Routledge 20150821 246 p This book is the first systematic examination of the emerging arms race in Asia. The global trade in arms is to a large degree underpinned by the strong demand for arms in Asia and the Middle East, the two largest arms export markets in the world. Of these two regions Asia has become particularly significant, led by the emergence of China and India as major powers. It is therefore not surprising that the rapid military modernisation in Asia, accompanied by significant increases in the size and sophistication of armed forces, has generated attention as to its trends, key characteristics, causes and implications. This phenomenon, which has become evident since the end of the Cold War, has also been widely described as an Asian 'arms race'. This book evaluates the key conceptual ideas which can shed light on this phenomenon, as well as examining the complex mix of internal, external and technological factors that have led to its emergence. The volume explores the way in which the arms race is leading ultimately to three distinctive blocs in the emerging geostrategic landscape: a loose bloc of US allies in the region; a counter-bloc of potential US adversaries; and a neutral bloc of states with industrial age armed forces whose allegiances will vary according to circumstances and geostrategic developments. The Arms Race in Asia concludes that if the emerging arms race is left unchecked, it is likely that Asia will increasingly become a region of instability, marked by conflicts and interstate wars. The book will be of great interest to students of Asian politics, strategic studies, defence studies, security studies and IR in general. 163 163