Deep Currents and Rising Tides

The Indian Ocean is not only a great body of water but also a geopolitical concept that unites the Middle East and the Western Pacific into one organic continuum, covering the southern Eurasian Rimland. This book adds badly needed depth and specificity to the many security challenges that will make this ocean a major part of the news panorama of the twenty-first century. -- Robert Kaplan, author of Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power This is a vital, comprehensive book on a critical ocean region that will determine the wider geopolitics and balance of power in Asia and beyond. The Indian Ocean promises to become the hub of global geopolitical competition. -- Brahma Chellaney, Asian geostrategist, Center for Policy Research, Winner of the Asia Society's Bernard Schwartz 2012 Book Award A detailed and wide-ranging analysis of the central security issues facing an increasingly critical region. -- S. Paul Kapur, professor, Department of National Security Affairs, US Naval Postgraduate School

The Indian Ocean region has rapidly emerged as the geographic nexus of economic and security issues with vital global consequences. Suitable for academics, professionals, and researchers with interests in international relations, Asian security, and maritime studies, this volume attempts to treat the Indian Ocean Region in a coherent fashion.The Indian Ocean region has rapidly emerged as a hinge point in the changing global balance of power and the geographic nexus of economic and security issues with vital global consequences. The security of energy supplies, persistent poverty and its contribution to political extremism, piracy, and related threats to seaborne trade, competing nuclear powers, and possibly the scene of future clashes between rising great powers India and China-all are dangers in the waters or in the littoral states of the Indian Ocean region. This volume, one of the first attempts to treat the Indian Ocean Region in a coherent fashion, captures the spectrum of cooperation and competition in the Indian Ocean Region. Contributors discuss points of cooperation and competition in a region that stretches from East Africa, to Singapore, to Australia, and assess the regional interests of China, India, Pakistan, and the United States. Chapters review possible "red lines" for Chinese security in the region, India's naval ambitions, Pakistan's maritime security, and threats from non-state actors-terrorists, pirates, and criminal groups-who challenge security on the ocean for all states. This volume will interest academics, professionals, and researchers with interests in international relations, Asian security, and maritime studies.