In this book, the Bush administration's war in Iraq is assessed using an interdisciplinary approach and historical analysis that will help readers better understand the results of the U.S. counterinsurgency doctrine from 2003 to the present. Contesting History: The Bush Counterinsurgency Legacy in Iraq uses a comparative analysis of history to assess the Bush administration's actions in Iraq, focusing specifically on the policy of counterinsurgency. Insurgency exists within an extended timeframe and exhibits a global reach, argues comparative warfare expert Matthew J. Flynn. Therefore, understanding this phenomenon is best realized through an examination of guerrilla conflicts around the world over time; this book provides that approach. The work analyzes U.S. counterinsurgency doctrine during the Iraq War from 2003 to the present, and offers relevant historical comparisons to conflicts dating back to the mid-19th century, in which a nation enjoyed marked military superiority over their enemy. In doing so, it encourages readers to link the Afghanistan and Iraq wars in the broad context of the utilization of counterinsurgency operations to achieve policy objectives. Ultimately, the book illustrates how the tactical "military" success of the U.S. surge in Iraq still nets a strategic failure.

"Water Margin: Hong Kong's Link to the Sea" is an enchanting exploration of the human and natural geography of Hong Kong's coastline and waters. The volume opens with Hong Kong's early history as a wild coastal frontier ( "haijiang") of imperial China and follows the social and cultural development of its maritime border zone. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Chinese and Western influences created the city of Hong Kong, a durable crossroads forever reinventing itself. Today, Hong Kong's coastline boasts an intense mix of urban high-rise dwellings, vast shipping facilities, and near-pristine wild areas. It is home to one of the most vibrant water sports venues in Asia and hosts a range of unique wildlife populations, including dolphins, turtles, and migratory birds. This volume focuses on Hong Kong's coral and marine diversity, containing a breathtaking array of underwater photographs. The text is filled with little-known tales of pearl fishing, crocodile boating, piracy, the adventures of the city's fishing fleet, and the voices of Hong Kong's ocean heros, including Olympic gold medalist Lee Lai Shan, singer G.E.M., and the elders of Hong Kong's remote fishing villages. A portfolio of Robin Moyer's black and white photography recaptures Hong Kong's seascapes and its unceasing resources of wonder for local residents and tourists alike. The volume also covers global ocean protection initiatives sponsored by the Ocean Recovery Alliance. In addition to raising awareness and an appreciation for these precious waters, the text examines the key challenge of reviving and preserving Hong Kong's aquatic environment for future generations.