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[ 179 ] policymaker’s library • select books published in 2008 International Relations of Asia David Shambaugh and Michael Yahuda, eds. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2008 • 402 pp. This book draws together sixteen leading scholars to examine Asia’s regional relationships involving both interstate and intersocietal relations. main argument As the world’s most vital region, Asia embodies explosive economic growth, diverse political systems, vibrant societies, modernizing militaries, cutting‑edge technologies, rich cultural traditions amid globalization, and strategic competition among major powers. As a result, international relations in Asia are evolving rapidly. policy implications • Washington must address the widespread perception that the U.S. is not paying sufficient attention to Asian views and interests and is marginalizing itself by paying little regard to regional multilateral institutions and to community‑building in Asia. • Although Washington has developed a good working relationship with a rising China, there is a need to place that relationship within a wider regional context. In particular, Japan’s concerns about being marginalized should be addressed by convening an annual or biannual triangular summit of leaders from the U.S., China, and Japan. For Tokyo to work together with Beijing and Washington on regional issues is vital to regional stability. • Although no longer the dominant actor in the region, the U.S. still serves the vital role of an external balancer and provides the public good of regional maritime security. • The U.S. should join a variety of regional partnerships designed to address significant sources of nontraditional security concerns. These concerns include meeting the threats of natural disasters, health pandemics, international crime, illegal migration, environmental degradation, and other “soft security” challenges. • The U.S. could also adopt a leadership role in building partnerships that address the need for greater energy efficiency, more alternative energies, and resources for tackling climate change. ...

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