Strategic Triangles Reshaping International Relations in East Asia

Rozman's book "The Triangle: The Evolving Triangle of East Asian International Relations" argues that East Asia's international relations over three decades can be best understood through the lens of triangles, analyzing relations between key nations through a series of trilateral relationships. Triangles present a convincing answer to the question of whether we have entered a new era of bipolarity or multipolarity, with deep-seated security distrust, extraordinary economic interdependence, and a combustible composition of historical resentments and civilizational confidence driving their evolution.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 140 pages
Publication date: 08 July 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Rozman's book delves into the intricate dynamics of East Asia's international relations over three decades, offering a compelling perspective through the lens of triangles. By analyzing the complex relationships between key nations through a series of trilateral connections, he argues that triangles provide a definitive answer to the question of whether we are witnessing a new era of bipolarity akin to the Cold War or a transition towards multipolarity. The concept of triangulation gained prominence in East Asia after the Cold War, particularly during the administrations of Xi and Trump, and it continued to shape the region's geopolitical landscape despite growing competition and confrontations between China and the United States.

East Asian triangles exhibit a unique blend of three distinct elements: deep-seated security distrust, extraordinary economic interdependence, and a combustible mix of historical resentments and civilizational confidence. This combination of factors makes the case for triangularity more compelling, as Rozman argues. The legacy of communism, the pursuit of reunification on the Korean Peninsula, and efforts to expand beyond the US-Japan alliance have all contributed to the evolution of these triangular relationships. However, as bipolarity intensified in the 2020s, triangularity began to lose ground.

In this book, Rozman meticulously evaluates each key triangle of states and assesses its broader impact on the region. He provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the current state and trajectory of East Asian international relations, making it an invaluable resource for students and policymakers alike. The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license, ensuring wide accessibility and dissemination of knowledge.

Weight: 270g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032283135