SKU: 15947067286

Asia's Cauldron: The South China Sea and the End of a Stable Pacific

Sale price$13.77 Regular price$15.30
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $3.83 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 31 - Aug 5

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

Asia's Cauldron: The South China Sea and the End of a Stable PacificNAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY FINANCIAL TIMES From Robert D. Kaplan, named one of the world's Top 100 Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy magazine, comes a penetrating look at the volatile region that will dominate the future of geopolitical conflict. Over the last decade, the center of world power has been quietly shifting from Europe to Asia. With oil reserves of several billion barrels, an estimated nine hundred trillion cubic feet of

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY FINANCIAL TIMES

From Robert D. Kaplan, named one of the world's Top 100 Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy magazine, comes a penetrating look at the volatile region that will dominate the future of geopolitical conflict.

Over the last decade, the center of world power has been quietly shifting from Europe to Asia. With oil reserves of several billion barrels, an estimated nine hundred trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and several centuries' worth of competing territorial claims, the South China Sea in particular is a simmering pot of potential conflict. The underreported military buildup in the area where the Western Pacific meets the Indian Ocean means that it will likely be a hinge point for global war and peace for the foreseeable future.

In Asia's Cauldron, Robert D. Kaplan offers up a vivid snapshot of the nations surrounding the South China Sea, the conflicts brewing in the region at the dawn of the twenty-first century, and their implications for global peace and stability. One of the world's most perceptive foreign policy experts, Kaplan interprets America's interests in Asia in the context of an increasingly assertive China. He explains how the region's unique geography fosters the growth of navies but also impedes aggression. And he draws a striking parallel between China's quest for hegemony in the South China Sea and the United States' imperial adventure in the Caribbean more than a century ago.

To understand the future of conflict in East Asia, Kaplan argues, one must understand the goals and motivations of its leaders and its people. Part travelogue, part geopolitical primer, Asia's Cauldron takes us on a journey through the region's boom cities and ramshackle slums: from Vietnam, where the superfueled capitalism of the erstwhile colonial capital, Saigon, inspires the geostrategic pretensions of the official seat of government in Hanoi, to Malaysia, where a unique mix of authoritarian Islam and Western-style consumerism creates quite possibly the ultimate postmodern society; and from Singapore, whose "benevolent autocracy" helped foster an economic miracle, to the Philippines, where a different brand of authoritarianism under Ferdinand Marcos led not to economic growth but to decades of corruption and crime.

At a time when every day's news seems to contain some new story--large or small--that directly relates to conflicts over the South China Sea, Asia's Cauldron is an indispensable guide to a corner of the globe that will affect all of our lives for years to come.

Praise for Asia's Cauldron

"Asia's Cauldron is a short book with a powerful thesis, and it stands out for its clarity and good sense. . . . If you are doing business in China, traveling in Southeast Asia or just obsessing about geopolitics, you will want to read it."--The New York Times Book Review

"Kaplan has established himself as one of our most consequential geopolitical thinkers. . . . Asia's Cauldron] is part treatise on geopolitics, part travel narrative. Indeed, he writes in the tradition of the great travel writers."--The Weekly Standard

"Kaplan's fascinating book is a welcome challenge to the pessimists who see only trouble in China's rise and the hawks who view it as malign."--The Economist

"Muscular, deeply knowledgeable . . . Kaplan is an ultra-realist who] takes a non-moralistic stance on questions of power and diplomacy."--Financial Times

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Random House Trade
Published: 01/06/2015
ISBN: 9780812984804
Pages: 256
Weight: 0.45lbs
Size: 7.90h x 5.10w x 0.80d

Review Citations: New York Times Book Review 02/01/2015 pg. 24
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 15947067286

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.4 ★★★★★
Based on 16 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
C
Verified Purchase
Cf
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 4
Good!!!
Size: Medium, Color: Avocado
Excellent quality and durability.My pets really enjoy it and it's almost impossible to damage it!!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Recommended by my chihuahua puppy!
Size: Small, Color: Waffle, Size: Small, Color: Waffle
This has been a fantastic toy for my chihuahua puppy. She actually carries it around by the tag and loves rolling it over with her nose. It's a little big for her, but she still really enjoys it. The tough edges are perfect for her little tiny shark teeth. I think she'll like this one even more as she begins teething. It's obviously an adorable toy and it has held up really well so far. It does have a loud squeaker if that's something your dog likes or dislikes. Mine doesn't have the jaw strength or size to squeak it, but she likes it when I do it. Considering what I paid and the many low quality toys on the market, this thing is a great value. Highly recommend it for toy and small breed dogs and puppies!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2026
N
Verified Purchase
Not Available
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Tough Versatile Interactive & Chew Toy
Size: Medium, Color: Strawberry
Update: the Snake is the absolute best in terms of entertainment value. Provides tugging opportunities and our dog is obsessed with it. Love these toys. This is quite literally one of the only toys we can leave with our puppy as both an interactive and self-play chew toy. Our small puppy (<20lbs) destroys every plush and latex toy in minutes. Has no interest in playing alone with durable toys like Kong and gets bored of them if we don’t play with them interactively. This satisfies our dog’s needs to chew on toys and keeps her entertained when we want a break but also quickly becomes a beloved interactive toy we can play fetch with. Yes, eventually our doggo destroys it as expected since we are using to both as a chew and interactive toy but it takes quite a while and we are very satisfied and impressed. This one stands the test of time.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2026
S
Verified Purchase
Stacy S.
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Good for Enthusiastic Chewers
Size: Medium, Color: Strawberry
I wasn't sure how long this toy would last with my beagle, but it has held up surprisingly well! My dog is rough on toys and usually destroys them pretty quickly, yet this one has survived lots of chewing, carrying around, and playtime. Definitely a great purchase for active dogs and enthusiastic chewers.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2026
T
Verified Purchase
Turtle
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 4
Tough Little Dog Toy
Size: Small, Color: Waffle
Interesting little toy. It’s pretty flat, which surprised me for some reason, but very thick and tough, and big enough for our small, aggressive chewer. Feels really substantial, Hoping we’ve found a toy that lasts.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2026

recommand products