The regions of Asia and Oceania, with their many diverse peoples, massive size, and vast cultural history, have birthed some of the most critical conflicts of the modern era. From border disputes to current nuclear threats to regions still shattered by the effects of past wars, this volatile region is a key player on the world stage of global conflict. This exciting volume provides up-to-the minute coverage of the most critical situations and explosive events in the region, including internal strife in Indonesia, insurgency in southern Thailand, nuclear issues in India and Pakistan, the Tibetan revolt, the Spratly Islands dispute, and terrorist organizations such as Abu Sayeff. The conflicts are explored against the backdrop of major conflicts like the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and the Cold War. Maps, a timeline, an index, and an annotated bibliography supplement the chapters for a greater understanding of the material. With ties to several curricular areas, including Asian studies, political science, global studies, military history, international relations, regional history and politics, this is an essential source for students of world history and global conflict. Maps, a timeline, an index, and an annotated bibliography supplement the chapters for a greater understanding of the material. With ties to several curricular areas, including Asian studies, political science, global studies, military history, international relations, regional history and politics, this is an essential source for students of world history and global conflict.

This book is a history of the struggle for independence after East Timor was invaded by Indonesia in 1975. The occupation, which lasted 24 years, was immediately resisted through guerrilla warfare and clandestine resistance. A continuum of effort between the armed freedom fighters in the mountains, the resilience of urban supporters, and international activism and support eventually brought about liberation in September 1999. Given that the Timor rebels did not have a land border with a friendly state, had no external supplier of weapons and no liberated area in which to recover between guerrilla operations, their successful resistance is unique in the history of guerrilla warfare and independence struggles. Equally uncommon was an unexpected weapon in the struggle -- a remarkable display of strategic non-violent action. This is the first study to integrate all the major factors in East Timor's independence struggle. The multi-dimensional perspectives addressed in this volume include Indonesian, US and Australian diplomacy; Indonesian military operations and activities against the populace; East Timorese resistance at all social levels; human rights abuses; the issue of oil; and international diplomacy resulting from global solidarity activism.

This book examines Australian foreign policy in multiple dimensions: diplomatic, military, economic, legal and scientific. It shows how the instruments of statecraft have defended domestic concentrations of wealth and power across the 230-year span of modern Australian history. The pursuit of security has meant much more than protection from invasion. It gives priority to economic interests, and to a political order that secures them. This view of security has deep roots in Australia's geopolitical tradition. Australia began its existence on the winning side of a worldwide confrontation. The book shows that the 'organizing principle' of Australian foreign policy is to stay on the winning side of the global contest. Australia has pursued this principle in war and peace, using the full arsenal of diplomacy, law, investment, research, negotiations, military force and espionage. This book uses many decades of secret files to reveal the inner workings of high-level policy.

This book is a history of the struggle for independence after East Timor was invaded by Indonesia in 1975. The occupation, which lasted 24 years, was immediately resisted through guerrilla warfare and clandestine resistance. A continuum of effort between the armed freedom fighters in the mountains, the resilience of urban supporters, and international activism and support eventually brought about liberation in September 1999. Given that the Timor rebels did not have a land border with a friendly state, had no external supplier of weapons and no liberated area in which to recover between guerrilla operations, their successful resistance is unique in the history of guerrilla warfare and independence struggles. Equally uncommon was an unexpected weapon in the struggle -- a remarkable display of strategic non-violent action. This is the first study to integrate all the major factors in East Timor's independence struggle. The multi-dimensional perspectives addressed in this volume include Indonesian, US and Australian diplomacy; Indonesian military operations and activities against the populace; East Timorese resistance at all social levels; human rights abuses; the issue of oil; and international diplomacy resulting from global solidarity activism.

How does Australia operate in the world? And why? In this closely evidenced, original account, former Australian Army intelligence analyst Clinton Fernandes categorically debunks Australia's greatest myth: that of its own independence.'This book is a bold and challenging interpretation of not only Australian Foreign Policy, but of the psyche of the nation itself. Fernandes gives us a fast-paced, thought-provoking interpretation which many readers may not like. This is what happens when someone shakes the foundations. But that's the point. Fernandes's analysis will have forced you to ask and answer some profound questions about this nation's place in the world, and the course its leaders chose to chart. Do not let the author's brevity deceive you for this work is also an iceberg—you are reading the tip of a mountain of scholarship, knowledge and analysis that lies out of view. I wholeheartedly recommend this work to any and all with even a passing interest in foreign policy, the dynamics of power and the nature of contemporary Australia. Once you start you will not put it down, and along the way you might just have uncovered a new lens through which to see the world about you.'Professor Craig Stockings, Official Historian of Australian Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Australian Peacekeeping Operations in East Timor

This pivot sheds light on U.S. foreign policy objectives by examining diplomatic cables produced by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Australia, some which have been officially declassified over the past 30 years and others which were made public by the anti-secrecy group, WikiLeaks. Providing an original analysis of the cables, this book provides the context and explanations necessary for readers to understand how the U.S. Embassy's objectives in Australia and the wider world have evolved since the 1980's. It shows that Australian policymakers work closely with their American counterparts, aligning Australian foreign policy to suit American preferences. It examines a range of U.S. government priorities, from strategic goals, commercial objectives, public diplomacy, financial sanctions against terrorism, and diplomatic actions related to climate change, looking back at key events in the relationship such as sanctions against Iraq, the 2008 Global Financial crisis, intellectual property protection and the rise of China.

In 2011, cognitive scientist, philosopher & political activist Chomsky came to Australia to receive the Sydney Peace Prize. He delivered lectures & answered questions about economics, history, international relations, linguistics, philosophy, justice & more. This is an edited record of his talks, interviews & transcripts. Fernandes, UNSW ADFA.

The trishaw (cycle rickshaw) was introduced in Singapore after the surrender of the British in 1942. After the end of the war, the trishaw continued to be a popular mode of transport, as it was cheap and the service was seen to be personalized. The trishaw industry was dominated by two Chinese minority dialect groups, and their ubiquitous presence could be seen as a threat to local government in the 1940s and 1950s. However, by the time Singapore achieved independence in 1965, the trishaw was regarded as backward, and public perception of the trishaw riders also changed. As the island nation embarked on a program of economic modernization, the trishaws were increasingly squeezed out. Through the use of travelogues, government records, trishaw associations' records, and oral history interviews, this book studies the personal experiences of those involved in the industry, and the role local and national governments played in its rise and decline.