The Brink of 2036 : An exploration of war; geo-strategies within the Asia-Pacific; and the coming age of pax-Sino.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Driver, Dr. Strobe.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Pacific Area--Politics and government.

War and civilization.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (198 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Chicago : Austin Macauley Publishers, 2024.

Summary:

War and conflict never occur 'in a vacuum, ' as there are always signallers and events that indicate and then dictate the onset of an upheaval. This has been true of relatively minor conflicts such as the Japan - Russo War of (1904 - 1905), the Vietnam War (1963 - 1975), the Afghanistan War (2001 - ongoing) and the major 'total wars' of World War One (1914 - 1918); and World War Two (1939 - 1945). There is a new and emerging war that is about to happen and its epicentre will be in the Asia-Pacific, and more specifically, the historic, contemporary and emerging issues associated with China - Taiwan tensions are a continuum; and show no sign of abatement or downward-moderation. The signals are there and they consist of but are not limited to, the historic baggage of China's 'ownership' of Taiwan; of this factor being rejected by consecutive governments of Taiwan; China's increasing sclerotic (irredentist) demands and policies toward Taiwan; the steadfastness of Taiwan's attempts at recognition as an independent cum sovereign entity; other Asia-Pacific and international actors attempting to intervene in the region; and the uncertainties associated with who will help defend Taiwan. All are signals. Within them there is and remains a continuous rise in tensions of which - and is held within the title of this book - remains the 'tipping point' of 2036. There are many reasons for this date to be used as a pivot point and they are explored in detail in the lead up to this date, and whilst the outcome is due to current machinations not subsiding (and will only continue to deteriorate), the contention is and remains not whether a war will occur, but when. The magnitude of the war that will take place demands the inherent complexities be considered, understood and explored in detail. This book is a significant step in that direction.

Contents:

Intro

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Copyright Information ©

Introduction

Foreword

Chapter One War, What it 'Is', 'Type' and Trajectory

War: A Definition

Total War as a Phenomenon

Limited War as a Phenomenon

Grounding Limited War: A Brief Historical Perspective

The Dangers of Limited War

The Seemingly Limitless Impacts of a Limited War: The Vietnam War and Its Iconoclastic Effect on the Western 'Model' of War

Conclusion

Chapter Two Taiwan at the Crossroads: A Robust Independent Country and a Catalyst for War

Taiwan: Independent and Prosperous

Taiwan and the Issue of 'Sovereignty' as Ascribed by the West and the United Nations

Taiwan ROC: A Forthright Political and Economic Actor

The Dawn of Pax-Sino: From Cataclysms to Cosmopolitanism

Globalisation and Its Impacts and Ramifications: A Brief Deliberation

Globalisation and the Collapse of a Superpower

Taiwan and China: The Way it Might Have Been

Chapter Three International Relations and War

Globalisation as a Continuum: Politico-power and Preponderance

International Relations and the Term 'Nascent': A Brief Deliberation

War as it 'Is': A Conceptual Underpinning

Chapter Four The Asia-Pacific in the Second and Third Decades of the Twenty-First Century

The Taiwan Strait

Taiwan as the Epicentre of an Asia-Pacific War

A Forthcoming War: The Evidence-Base and Narrative

How a War Will 'Happen' and the Interdependencies Therein

China and Its Cautious Approach Toward Retrocession

The Surprise of No 'Surprise' Attack

Why a 'Traditional' Invasion of Taiwan Will Not Occur

What a War Involves: A Brief Deliberation

Taiwan and the Realities of a War with China: A Brief Deliberation

Taiwan-China and a High-Intensity Munitions Exchange: A Brief Deliberation.

The Direction an Asia-Pacific War will 'Take'

Sovereignty and War: The Waiting and the Reasons

China: Why Waiting is Important

War as a Dynamic and Preparation: Learning from History

The Discontent of Others and the Impact on the Asia-Pacific

China and Its Approach to War: Why Waiting is Necessary

China: Geo-Strategic Necessities and Placement

China and War: From Waiting to When

Cross-Strait Machinations

Chapter Five Asia on the 'Brink' and Why

A Brink: What Is It?

The Quad: Its Strengths and Weaknesses

Chapter Six Russia as Invader, China as Observer: Will a War in Europe Exacerbate or Moderate the Coming Brink

The Invasion of Ukraine and Its Codicils

Where China Currently 'Stands'

A Shambolic Invasion: China's Learning Curve and the Lessons Russia Offers

China, and Its Wait-and-See Approach

Conclusion to Chapter Six

Chapter Seven The Coming War

In Conclusion.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9781528988629

1528988620

OCLC:

1417760463