Covers China and east to Japan and Korea, and India and southeast, including Indonesia and Australia.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preface : the Asia nobody sees -- Mapping risk in Asia -- The goldilocks dilemma -- Asia's Mesdames Defarges -- Why can't we all just get along? --- Hic sunt dracones : the clouds of war -- Managing risk in Asia.

"Since Marco Polo, the West has waited for the "Asian Century." Today, the world believes that Century has arrived. Yet from China's slumping economy to war clouds over the South China Sea and from environmental devastation to demographic crisis, Asia's future is increasingly uncertain. Historian and geopolitical expert Michael Auslin argues that far from being a cohesive powerhouse, Asia is a fractured region threatened by stagnation and instability. Here, he provides a comprehensive account of the economic, military, political, and demographic risks that bedevil half of our world, arguing that Asia working with the United States, has a unique opportunity to avert catastrophe -- but only if it acts boldly"-- Dust jacket.