The major purpose of this course is to enable each of you to think critically about how and what contributions major nations in the Asia-Pacific region make to the security of the contemporary world order, and its consequent effect on the US military policy and strategy.
The course begins with a review of the principal characteristics of the international security arrangements as it currentlyexists in the Asia Pacific region. It is often argued that for the United States no region is more critical to its national security interests than Asia. The U.S. has invested substantial military resources and political capital in fostering peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. However, the recent increases in the military capabilities of China have raised the possibility that it may challenge the United States as the primary power in the region. Similarly, improvements in the missile and nuclear capabilities of North Korea has caused significant worries in the U.S. national security establishment. The course will examine the various policy choices made by the United States and its allies to manage the threat posed by China and North Korea. The course will also examine in detail the most important national security issues currently facing China, Japan, the Korean peninsula, and India. All these nations will play important roles in preserving peace in the Asia-Pacific region. Finally, the course will survey some of the predictions on the evolution of security arrangements in the region.
Reading load: On average, the readings for each week will involve between 175 to 200 pages. Readings will include a combination of theoretical and policy-relevant publications.