Asian Juggernaut : The Rise of China, India and Japan

by Brahma Chellaney

Offering an analysis of Asia's pivotal role on the world stage, this book examines the ascent of Asia by focusing on its three main powers, China, India and Japan.

Hardcover

First published December 1, 2006

Reviews

[Vishal Kale · Rating 2 out of 5]

Asian Juggernaut is a book with a massive, vast scope - aiming for covering the challenges, prospects and history of a massive continent; a continent that for most of History of the Earth was the predominant one. This is historical fact; this also means that its strategic analysis will also have to be of that level of depth. Secondly, Asia is a modern strategic playground for European / American powers, and is likely to remain as such for the foreseeable future. It has had the status of a plaything of the West for 300+ years now. Thirdly, thanks largely to Western interference – aided in no small measure by Asian Naivete & Power Hunger, it is a continent deeply divided. We Asians Fail to realise that we need to be cohesive, unitary, one – giving the West the opportunity to use us for their means & ends. That wont change.


None of these facts is going to change anytime soon. Neither are they going to be forgotten - in that light, this book has more misses than it does pluses - which accounts for my low rating for it. That does not mean that this book is bad; far from it. It is a good read; my problem is that I feel it just fails to do justice to the vast scope of Asia, or - if you like, going by the title alone - India / Japan / China. Thing is, if you consider these 3 alone, you have to consider all Asia; and if you then pay scant attention to Russia, dismiss it totally almost as an afterthought - you lose 1-2 stars in the rating. And if you then miss out the other vast scope Asia includes - then even 2 stars is a stretch for rating it.


The US and China will not go head-on; quite the opposite, given the trade between them, the US dependence on Chinese imports, and most importantly the Chinese investments in the USA and its dollar reserves, meaning a debt situation. Then there are other counterbalancing issues in other regions – Japan and the emergent nationalistic feelings there; the Russian bear on the North – meaning it is in US’ interests to keep China off balance, yet engaged. To Indians hoping for USA to go hammer-and-tongs anti-China – rhetoric and empty statements aside – stop hoping, not gonna happen.

Full review : https://reflectionsvvk.blogspot.com/2...

[Harsh Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book offers a sharp yet erudite overview of the emerging geopolitics of Asia at a time when the rise of an increasingly muscular China is altering intra-Asian equations and affecting world politics and economy. The rise of China is central to the book. This is a must read for any policy practicioner, scholar, student or lay reader interested in where Asia is headed.

[Brian Chian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asian Juggernaut offers a geostrategic overview of Asia's security challenges and opportunities. Asia will shape our future world order. This lucidly written book, with its insightful and masterly analysis, is required reading for anyone wishing to understand where Asia is headed.