Robert Kaplan, Asia’s Cauldron: the South China Sea and The End of a Stable Pacific

Abstract

Robert D. Kaplan‘s acclaimed work, Asia’s Cauldron the South China Sea and The End of a Stable Pacific, which famously propounds that the centre of world power has shifted to Asia and warns of the dangerous tussle that is looming around the Asia Pacific region as a result of China‘s assertion of its rights in the South China Sea has turned geopolitical analysts‘ attention to a new theme for discussion and debate that may continue for years. Kaplan, Chief Geopolitical Analyst at Stratford, holds that the South China Sea is ―becoming the most contested body of water in the world‖ involving littoral claimants China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore and India. He cautions that the US in spite of its naval prowess may find it difficult to maintain domination or adequately protect its allies. His theory that future battles in the area would be decided at sea rather than land has alerted military planners. Already countries in the South China Sea, big or small, are opting for huge naval build ups despite their meagre resources.