Arc of Containment: Britain, the United States, and Anticommunism in Southeast Asia

Arc of Containment rewrites the history of American empire in Southeast and East Asia from World War II through the end of American intervention in Vietnam, arguing that anticommunist nationalism intersected with local antipathy toward China and the Chinese diaspora to usher the region from European-dominated colonialism to US hegemony. British power and the effects of direct neocolonial military might and cultural influences based on decades of colonial rule also played a significant role.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 270 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2023
Publisher: Cornell University Press

The book "Arc of Containment" offers a fresh perspective on the history of the American empire in Southeast and East Asia, spanning from World War II to the end of American intervention in Vietnam. By challenging the traditional narrative of domino theory, Wen-Qing Ngoei presents a regional history built upon robust security and assured containment, facilitated by Anglo-American cooperation. Ngoei argues that anticommunist nationalism in Southeast Asia intersected with pre-existing local antipathies towards China and the Chinese diaspora, leading to the region's transition from European-dominated colonialism to US hegemony.

Central to this revisionist strategic assessment is the examination of British power and the impact of direct neocolonial military might, as well as less overt cultural influences derived from decades of colonial rule. Moreover, the book highlights the significant influence of Southeast Asian actors on Anglo-American imperial strategy throughout the post-war period.

"Arc of Containment" demonstrates that American failure in Vietnam had less lasting consequences than commonly assumed, as British pro-West nationalism had been firmly established decades earlier. In essence, Ngoei suggests that the Cold War in Southeast Asia was merely one violent chapter in the ongoing history of Western imperialism in the region during the twentieth century.

This book offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of power, nationalism, and imperialism in Southeast and East Asia, shedding light on the historical roots of contemporary geopolitical tensions and challenges. It is a must-read for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complex history and implications of American intervention in the region.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501770197