The United States-Australia alliance has been an important component of the US-led system of alliances that has underpinned regional security in the Indo-Pacific since 1945. However, recent geostrategic developments, in particular the rise of the People's Republic of China, have posed significant challenges to this US-led regional order. In turn, the growing strategic competition between these two great powers has generated challenges to the longstanding US-Australia alliance. Both the US and Australia are confronting a changing strategic environment, and, as a result, the alliance needs to respond to the challenges that they face. The US needs to understand the challenges and risks to this vital relationship, which is growing in importance, and take steps to manage it. On its part, Australia must clearly identify its core common interests with the US and start exploring what more it needs to do to attain its stated policy preferences. This book consists of chapters exploring US and Australian perspectives of the Indo-Pacific, the evolution of Australia-US strategic and defence cooperation, and the future of the relationship. Written by a joint US-Australia team, the volume is aimed at academics, analysts, students, and the security and business communities.

This volume explains China's foreign policy from the perspective of its historical recovery after 1949 and the country's subsequent rise as a great power, including its transformation into a global power. It also illuminates how China has, in tandem with its rise, developed an increasing array of political, economic, 'sharp power' and military capabilities that is helping it to further its increasingly expansive foreign policy objectives. The volume examines two key questions: What have been the implications of China's rise for its foreign policy? And how has an increasingly powerful and confident China used a range of foreign policy instruments to pursue its expanding national interests in Asia and beyond? The volume is divided into three parts, covering the conceptualization and drivers of China's foreign policy, China's relations with the world, and the instruments of China's foreign policy, namely its economic power, military capabilities and its 'sharp power' manipulation of information and relationships. It will be of interest to academics, students and researchers interested in understanding China's role in world politics.

The United States-Australia alliance has been an important component of the US-led system of alliances that has underpinned regional security in the Indo-Pacific since 1945. However, recent geostrategic developments, in particular the rise of the People's Republic of China, have posed significant challenges to this US-led regional order. In turn, the growing strategic competition between these two great powers has generated challenges to the longstanding US-Australia alliance. Both the US and Australia are confronting a changing strategic environment, and, as a result, the alliance needs to respond to the challenges that they face. The US needs to understand the challenges and risks to this vital relationship, which is growing in importance, and take steps to manage it. On its part, Australia must clearly identify its core common interests with the US and start exploring what more it needs to do to attain its stated policy preferences. This book consists of chapters exploring US and Australian perspectives of the Indo-Pacific, the evolution of Australia-US strategic and defence cooperation, and the future of the relationship. Written by a joint US-Australia team, the volume is aimed at academics, analysts, students, and the security and business communities.

Security and Conflict in East Asia provides a timely and thorough analysis of the sources and implications of conflict on the Korean peninsula, China and Japan, the three biggest economies in the world. This analysis provides the building blocks for effective solutions to manage these, and is a vital resource to those seeking a clearer understanding of conflict in the most pivotal region in the world. In the context of increasingly tense China-US strategic rivalry, the ever-present potential for conflict on the Korean peninsula, there are many good reasons why the high potential exists for miscalculation and misperception, sparking a regional conflict. Given the presence of nuclear-armed powers it is also possible that any regional conflict could escalate into a nuclear conflict. The security of, and any conflict in, East Asia thus has tremendous implications for global security. The title is divided into four parts. The contributing authors are all experts in their respective fields, and all share an abiding concern over developments in East Asia. Their contributions aim to assist in a better understanding of the issues, to suggest possible solutions, and draw attention to the need for diplomacy, confidence-building measures and crisis management mechanisms conflict. The introductory section includes chapters which explain the history of international relations in East Asia and examine the phenomenon of the regional arms race. The second section is made up of a series of chapters focusing on China, examining its military modernization and relationship with the USA, as well as the various territorial disputes in which it has been involved. The third section focuses on Japan and North and South Korea, looking at the security challenges that they face. A concluding section examines the future role of China and the USA in East Asia, and the prospects for managing security in the region. This volume will be of use to government institutions involved in foreign policy, intelligence and defence, research institutes, and academics. Scholarly analysis is yet to catch up and currently there are no other comprehensive works examining conflict in East Asia in the context of the current tensions.

Security and Conflict in East Asia provides a timely and thorough analysis of the sources and implications of conflict on the Korean peninsula, China and Japan, the three biggest economies in the world. This analysis provides the building blocks for effective solutions to manage these, and is a vital resource to those seeking a clearer understanding of conflict in the most pivotal region in the world. In the context of increasingly tense China-US strategic rivalry, the ever-present potential for conflict on the Korean peninsula, there are many good reasons why the high potential exists for miscalculation and misperception, sparking a regional conflict. Given the presence of nuclear-armed powers it is also possible that any regional conflict could escalate into a nuclear conflict. The security of, and any conflict in, East Asia thus has tremendous implications for global security. The title is divided into four parts. The contributing authors are all experts in their respective fields, and all share an abiding concern over developments in East Asia. Their contributions aim to assist in a better understanding of the issues, to suggest possible solutions, and draw attention to the need for diplomacy, confidence-building measures and crisis management mechanisms conflict. The introductory section includes chapters which explain the history of international relations in East Asia and examine the phenomenon of the regional arms race. The second section is made up of a series of chapters focusing on China, examining its military modernization and relationship with the USA, as well as the various territorial disputes in which it has been involved. The third section focuses on Japan and North and South Korea, looking at the security challenges that they face. A concluding section examines the future role of China and the USA in East Asia, and the prospects for managing security in the region. This volume will be of use to government institutions involved in foreign policy, intelligence and defence, research institutes, and academics. Scholarly analysis is yet to catch up and currently there are no other comprehensive works examining conflict in East Asia in the context of the current tensions.

1. 1 Purpose and Plan of This Review This review is focused on the topography and connections of some of the neuron populations that determine the manual dexterity of the macaque monkey. The populations selected for examination are the following: 1. The corticospinal neuron populations 2. The thalamocortical and corticothalamic neuron populations associated with the sensorimotor cortex 3. The ipsilateral cortical connections of the sensorimotor cortex These neuron populations have been chosen because of their obvious rel evance to the directed, intelligent use of the hands, but also because of their anatomical and functional interdependence. Corticospinal neuron populations transmit a complex, orchestrated output from a number of different regions of cerebral cortex to the neuron populations in every segment of the spinal cord, and this output includes the command information defining the intended manual action. The thalamocortical complex is especially concerned with the transmis sion and modulation or filtering of (a) visual, tactile, proprioceptive, vestibular, and auditory information to the cerebral cortex and (b) information from the cerebellum, basal ganglia, limbic system, and brain stem which is relevant to sensorimotor behavior. Finally, the extensive ipsilateral cortical connections constitute a major part of the supraspinal circuitry which coordinates the contri butions of all the cortical neuron popUlations contributing to intelligent sen sorimotor behavior and, in particular, transmits the cross talk between those cortical neuron populations which shape and control the dextrous handling of objects within reach.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the world is in love with all things Japanese, not least Japanese design, cuisine, lifestyle and culture. There is something wondrous – and at the same time a little mysterious – about how the Japanese do these things so well. The Atomi Way offers an invaluable inside look at what goes into Japan’s “secret recipe”. It is written by Andrew Tan and Mitsuko Murano, the couple behind the atomi brand, which has been bringing the best of Japan-made design to Singapore and the wider world of discerning consumers since 2009. The marriage of two cultures, and Andrew’s experiences as a “son-in-law of Japan” make them an ideal guide to this fascinating exploration. Topics covered in the book include the beauty of Japanese design, the consumer mindset of the Japanese, the business culture of Japanese organisations, and even the life of a Singapore-Japanese family. Discover quirky parts of Japan, the philosophy underpinning Japanese aesthetics, the mindfulness of Japanese business culture, Japan’s education system, and more. For admirers of Japan’s unique culture, this book is a delightful and illuminating read.