Andrew T. H. Tan - Security Strategies in the Asia-Pacific. The United States' ''Second Front '' in Southeast Asia [2011][A]

Book Description
Publication Date: June 15, 2011
After 9/11, the U.S.-led global war on terrorism has intruded into an already complex security environment in the Malay archipelago, home to the world's largest population of Muslims, with the potential to catalyze or unleash further dynamics that could destabilize the region. This book argues that, given the existence of a discrete Malay archipelago security complex, with its security linkages and interactive dynamics, it is a fallacy for the United States to approach this region primarily through the prism of global counter-terrorism. Instead, any strategic policy towards the region needs to be founded upon a deep appreciation of the existing Malay archipelago security complex.

Reviews
"Andrew Tan has provided an incisive and fresh look at Southeast Asia, specifically, the Malay archipelago. His work informs us of the complexities of this sub-region, which contains the world’s largest population of Muslims. Andrew Tan explains the varied, interrelated security challenges at work in a clear, comprehensive and analytical manner. This book is the kind of work that makes a real contribution to our empirical understanding and knowledge of this pivotal region" —M.L.R. Smith, Professor of Strategic Theory, Department of War Studies, King's College, University of London

“Malay Archipelago expert Andrew Tan is back. Already the prolific author of a number of scholarly works including an in-depth analysis of America’s strategy on global terrorism, Tan has written an impressive explanation of why the U.S. strategy towards the home of the world’s largest population of Muslims needs to be founded on a deep appreciation of the existing Malay Archipelago security complex rather than to be approached primarily through the prism of global terrorism. This work needs to be read at the Pentagon, the State Department and the National Security Council.” —James E. Auer, Director, Center for U.S.-Japan Studies and Cooperation, Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies

About the Author
Andrew T. H. Tan is an Associate Professor and Convenor of International Studies at the University of New South Wales, Australia. He was previously a Senior Lecturer in Defence Studies at King’s College London and taught on the Masters in Defence Studies program at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Britain’s combined military staff college for senior commanders. He has published 12 books and many internationally refereed journal articles and book chapters. His recent sole-authored and edited books include: Security Perspectives of the Malay Archipelago (2004); A Political and Economic Dictionary of South-East Asia (2004); The Politics of Terrorism (2006); A Handbook of Terrorism and Insurgency in Southeast Asia (2007); The Politics of Maritime Power (2007); The Global Arms Trade (2009); and US Strategy Against Global Terrorism: How it Evolved, Why it Failed and Where it is Headed (2009).