A review by omnibozo22
Asia's Cauldron: The South China Sea and the End of a Stable Pacific by Robert D. Kaplan

4.0

A brief geopolitical look at the implications of living close to a body of water that touches on a wide range of nations with interests in controlling that waterway. Nothing really new here, except Kaplan seems a little stuck on the idea that sea power is the key to future relative power balance in the world. He correctly points out that neither the US nor China should be trusted in the area. Kaplan also correctly points out that the Philippines teeters on the edge of being a failed state. Given the crony capitalism and the deep-seated corruption of the every level of government, the nation is unable to hinder China in any matter, especially China's occupation of the Spratleys. He didn't directly mention the Chinese control of the gambling and drug culture here. The book was written before the current version of criminal governments in both the US and Philippines came into office, so Kaplan didn't comment on the seesaw actions of the DU30 government concerning the presence of US troops and Navy in the country. Looks like the US is on the way back in, at the moment.