South China

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 900 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.

The impact of continuous coastal development, reclamation, destruction of corals, overfishing and increased maritime traffic places all of us on the front lines of preserving our oceans. Marine biologists, who share a common language that cuts across political, economic and social differences, recognize that the sea’s remarkable coral reefs, which provide food, jobs and protection against storms and floods, have suffered unprecedented rates of destruction in recent decades. Dispatches from the South China Sea’s blend of participatory research and field reportage paves the way for a ...

Modern Pirate Series A collection of stories about Alex the Pirate and his savvy crew of rogues and thieves. They are modern pirates who love fast boats and the freedom of the sea. These are the stories of their early days as smugglers and pirates working to make a living in the tough and dangerous sea going trades. From their home base in Malaysia during the treacherous 1990s, they smuggle high tech goods into Vietnam and Cambodia while carrying freedom seeking exiles from those lands to safer shores. Later, Alex and Diego, his second in command, scout the South China Sea and Caribbean for...

Frances FitzGerald's landmark history of Vietnam and the Vietnam War, "A compassionate and penetrating account of the collision of two societies that remain untranslatable to one another." (New York Times Book Review) This magisterial work, based on Frances FitzGerald's many years of research...

The fate of the 21st century may be decided in the Western Pacific. As China pushes from maritime control toward global dominance, the world stands at a crossroads. Will rising tensions spiral into open conflict—or can the region find a path to stability? The Great Power Game in the Western Pacific delivers a gripping, in-depth analysis of the geopolitical, economic, technological, and environmental dimensions of one of the most contested arenas on Earth. Drawing on history, law, diplomacy, and military strategy, this book reveals: China's strategic ambitions include dominating the South ...

“I don’t know if it was the shouts, the gunfire, the dogs barking or a combination of all three which woke me, but the shock was such that I almost fell out of bed in my haste to rejoin the conscious. I was naked, save for the pair of shorts I always wore in bed, and had no time to dress. I didn’t bother with the light. As I awkwardly pushed my feet into the pair of flip-flops, I grabbed for the pistol belt. I heard my father shout something while I was fumbling to fasten the belt around my waist. My bedroom door suddenly opened. My god! The terrs are in the house?! I was reaching, ...

An award-winning political scientist shows that a society’s path to prosperity, sustainability, and equality depends on who owns the land For millennia, land has been a symbol of wealth and privilege. But the true power of land ownership is even greater than we might think. In Land Power...

In the sphere of future global politics, no region will be as hotly contested as the Asia-Pacific. This is where authoritarian China is trying to rewrite international law and challenge the democratic values of the US and its allies. No other Asian country can take on China alone. The US too may be ill-equipped for the job at hand. If China does get away with seizing and militarizing waters here, what will it do elsewhere, and who will be able to stop it? Asian Waters breaks down the politics - and tensions - seen through this region for years.

In Eurasia vs. NATOstan, Pepe Escobar takes us on a whirlwind journey through the swirling sands of the 21st century's defining clash. From the ancient Silk Roads to the modern-day War of Economic Corridors, Escobar paints a vivid picture of a world in transition, where the old order is crumbling and a new, multipolar reality is struggling to be born. With his nonpareil blend of historical insight, deep cultural appreciation, and sharp geopolitical analysis, Escobar exposes the West's "rules-based international order" for the sham it is, a mere smokescreen for the Empire of Chaos to ...

Did you know that at its peak, Angkor was the largest city in the world, almost the size of a modern metropolis, maybe even comparable to Los Angeles? When we think of the great civilizations in the world, the first ones that come to mind are Egyptian, Inca, Greek, and Roman civilizations. Not many people think of the Khmer Empire or are aware of how great it was. The Khmer Empire was the greatest player in the political and cultural world of medieval Southeast Asia.

What began as a throwaway acronym on Wall Street is now a global force challenging the foundations of Western dominance. BRICS: The Rising Bloc Redefining Global Power is a searing, unsentimental look at how five wildly different nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—are leveraging economic scale, geopolitical friction, and institutional fatigue to rewrite the rules of the global order. This is not a motivational fable. It’s a forensic breakdown of a power shift in progress. Across 30 methodical chapters, this book tracks the BRICS journey from speculative concept to ...

Modern Pirate Series A collection of stories about Alex the Pirate and his savvy crew of rogues and thieves. They are modern pirates who love fast boats and expensive yachts, and also share a passion for treasure hunting. These are the stories of their days as smugglers and pirates working to make a living in the tough and dangerous sea going trades. Alex and Diego, his second in command, scout the Caribbean for worthy ships to liberate from their owners and turn a profit. They also hunt for lost treasure in the Caribbean where so many ships have been lost over the centuries and their ...

This is the inspiring short story, about a 20 minute read, of Annie Armstrong, 1850-1938 of Baltimore, Maryland. Opportunities for women were not in abundance during Annie's lifetime, but that did stop her! She worked tirelessly to encourage churches in the Southern Baptist Convention to give and to pray for missionaries. Annie started a school for Native Americans, helped Chinese immigrants and fledgling African American churches, mostly composed of freed slaves. She also helped at the Ladies Bayview Mission and the Friendless Orphanage. She did all of this without ever taking a salary. ...

"Bangladesh: A Political History" offers a captivating story of Bangladesh's past, present, and future. From its ancient origins along the fertile river valleys to its modern-day challenges and aspirations, this concise yet comprehensive exploration provides insights into the diverse cultures, socio-economic dynamics, and geopolitical significance of this vibrant nation. Through meticulous research and engaging narrative, the book sheds light on key historical milestones, cultural contributions, and contemporary issues, offering readers a deeper understanding of Bangladesh's enduring spirit...

Out in the Pacific Ocean, there is a war taking place. It is a "warm war", a shoving match between the United States, since World War II the uncontested ruler of the seas, and China, which now possesses the world's largest navy. The Chinese regard the Pacific, and especially the South China Sea, as their ocean, and they're ready to defend it. Each day the heat between the two countries increases as the Chinese try to claim the South China Sea for their own, and the United States insists on asserting freedom of navigation.

As a deputy national security advisor specializing in far east countries, Cole Ormond is on assignment in Taiwan conducting a survey for the administration on Taiwan’s ability to defend itself from an invasion by the Chinese military with or without intervention by the United States. On his last night in Taipei Cole witnesses an assassination of a senior Chinese trade delegate. Within days after ordered by the White House to assist Taiwan government investigators Cole and his Taiwan partner evade attempts on their lives. Only the skills leaned from his time as a Navy Seal prevents their ...

—hard science fiction with a heart— —a character-driven first contact story with aliens and sentient AIs— —a thrilling tale set on a global stage and steeped in political intrigue— Assassins target Miharu while a deadly plot to destroy the arkship unfolds. Enemy commandos are after Interstellar Ambassador Miharu, but the greatest threat may be a Chinese space capsule launched by rogue elements. Miharu must navigate global intrigue as a Canadian mayor and a businessman in Kolkata move to seize opportunities, while President Amber Cloud Voss’s response to the arkship’s ...

As you look at this cover and the women featured, you might say to yourself, "I have never heard of any of these women." Exactly! That is why you need to buy it! These are amazing women that were well known at one time, but over time, have slipped between the cracks and have been largely forgotten. Mildred Cable and the French Sisters risked everything, including their lives, in China. They traversed the vast and foreboding Gobi Desert, numerous times to bring the Gospel to those who had never heard. Annie Armstrong never left the soil of the United States. Her prayer mobilization and her ...

From the author of the Carnegie Medal in Fiction winner The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu comes a tantalizing, American West saga about a Chinese American family trying to survive on their Dakota farm as a powerful, mysterious, and morally dubious military secret shapes their lives. When Saul...

—character-driven, hard science fiction with a heart— —the epic finale to a globe-spanning, first contact story of aliens, AIs, and humans— As the alien arkship nears Earth, plans for good and evil reach their climax. At sea, Interstellar Ambassador Miharu and her friends battle typhoon winds and North Korean assassins. But Miharu’s deadliest enemy may be her own wounded heart. In space, a Chinese taikonaut defies orders. UN Secretary-General Pirez fights to celebrate alien law and generosity. The hearts, values, and loyalties of humans, aliens, and AIs alike are laid bare. If you...