Alliances in Asia and Europe.

The Evolving Indo-Pacific Strategic Context and Inter-Regional Alignments

ISBN: 9781032550435

Edited by Elena Atanassova Cornelis, Yoichiro Sato, and Tom Sauer

Publisher: Routledge

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Sotelo

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Alliances in Asia and Europe. The Evolving Indo-Pacific Strategic Context and Inter-Regional Alignments (2024), edited by Yoichiro Sato, Elena Atanassova-Cornelis, and Tom Sauer, comprises ten chapters that address the current United States-led alliance and alignment system and challenges, focusing on Europe and Asia. The book interweaves stories, conflicts, agreements, and policies that share the direct and indirect influence of the United States. Furthermore, it offers comparative frameworks between the dynamics of various regions, entities, and countries, including the United States, Japan, India, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Russia, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, the EU, among others.

The first chapter, by Thomas Wilkins, outlines the changes and the complex relationship of the United States alliance system in the Indo-Pacific. Through a detailed analysis, Wilkins demonstrates that Japan is a valuable ally, while the Philippines and Thailand are peripheral allies. Sten Rynning, in chapter 2, evaluates NATO’s evolving approaches toward China and the current political challenges. Next, in Chapter 3, Tom Sauer expands on the United States extended nuclear deterrence in both Europe and Asia and the deteriorating security situation present in certain countries. The evidence demonstrates how uncertainty prevails as Russia, North Korea, and China continue to pose growing security threats.

The fourth chapter, by Elena Atanassova-Cornelis and Yoichiro Sato, compels a well-contextualized analysis of Japan’s strategic alignments with Australia, India, and the EU. Hidekazu Sakai, in chapter 5, addresses the Japan-United Kingdom quasi-alliance based on a shared ally, the United States. In chapter 6, Titli Basu delves into the United States, India, and Japan alignment in the Indo-Pacific and discusses the possibility of a collaborative agenda with other countries. Rajesh Soami, in the seventh chapter, engages discussions based on the relationship between India and the United States, China, and Russia before and after the Trump presidency in 2017, and how the latter reshaped their relations. 

In Chapter 8, Emil Kirchner explores the depths of the EU-Asia-Pacific security alignment and partnership. Wilhelm Vosse, in Chapter 9, presents examples of EU-Japan cooperation in the tech environment and how cyber power shapes social attitudes and politics. Lastly, Bart Dessein closes the book by examining the dynamics of alliances in Asia within a changing international context and highlighting the non-exportability of a European model to countries such as Taiwan.

Alliances in Asia and Europe’s strengths lie in the comparative angles and interdisciplinary approaches offered by different scholars in each chapter. Although understanding the contemporary complexities of the U.S. impact on selected Asian and European countries is necessary, it would have been more enriching to broaden the scope by exploring the dynamics of less frequently discussed countries. This observation suggests a possible path for future research and publications, either by incorporating other countries or by shifting the focus where the United States is not the main protagonist. Given its relevance and content, the book is a valuable resource for experts in politics, international relations, and regional studies. The general public will also benefit from reading this source of information, as it compels readers to reconsider current national and international events.