This thesis presents an investigation of the reasons for Russia's desire to have an ocean-going nuclear-powered navy, including in its most remote maritime theater, the Pacific. My dissertation argues that the conceptual framework of strategic geography, combined with analysis of modem naval technologies, provides the most appropriate analytical tool for examining Russian perceptions of the development of naval power in the Pacific. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, no major work was published either on the transition of Russian naval power or on the reform of its Pacific fleet. Analysis and research on the Russian Navy in the Pacific in the past fifteen years has often lacked accuracy due to inability of its authors to employ Russian-language unclassified sources, and has resulted in prematurely elaborated conclusions. As during the Cold War years, the research was largely driven by threat-assessment analysis. The thesis argues that Russia's geographic position and a whole spectrum of maritime interests, ranging from economic and scientific to military-strategic, dictate the need for a navy. By critically examining historical patterns of the development of Russian naval power in the Pacific since 1731, carefully assessing current doctrines of force application and present-day capabilities and trends in their employment, I will argue that the nation needs a strong blue-water navy, and trends in the evolution of Russian naval power in the Pacific illustrate the country's determination to achieve this goal.

This book examines to what extent geopolitics explains the current wave of force modernisation in the Indo-Pacific region. Examining the leading Indo-Pacific nations in terms of defence spending: the United States, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, Pakistan, Indonesia and Thailand, geopolitical principles are used to create hypotheses that can be tested against the military modernisation programmes of the major actors in the Indo-Pacific region. The book represents a bridge between reference works and the literature on international politics in the Indo-Pacific. The empirical chapters provide qualitative narratives that explore the force postures, military modernisation and procurement patterns of the cases, and assess why these nations’ military modernisation has followed particular courses and evaluate this evidence against the expectations of geopolitics and its rivals. This book will be a valuable addition to scholars, practitioners and, indeed, anyone interested in the future stability of one of the world’s most important and dynamic regions.

Japan and Asia Pacific Integration is a study of regional integration in the greater Pacific area during 1968-1996. It examines the political rationale of such international organisations as the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum, and the East Asian Economic Caucus (EAEC). There is a focus on Japanese conceptions of regionalism and integration, but the attitudes of other countries such as the United States, Australia, Malaysia and China are also explored.

This new IISS Strategic Dossier examines the recent development of Moscow’s armed forces and military capabilities. It analyses the aspirations underpinning Russia’s military reform programme and its successes as well as its failures. The book also provides insights into Russia’s operational use of its armed forces, including in the intervention in Syria, the goals and results of recent state armament programmes, and the trajectory of future developments. This full-colour volume includes more than 50 graphics, maps and charts and over 70 images, and contains chapters on: Russia's armed forces since the end of the Cold War Strategic forces Ground forces Naval forces Aerospace forces Russia’s approach to military decision-making and joint operations Economics and industry At a time when Russia’s relations with many of its neighbours are increasingly strained, and amid renewed concern about the risk of an armed clash, this dossier is essential reading for understanding the state,capabilities and future of Russia’s armed forces.