Napoleon Bonaparte said of China:
“Let her sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world.”
Two hundred-plus years later China and its impact on the Asia-Pacific (in recent times often referred to as the Indo-Pacific) region, is fulfilling Bonaparte’s prediction.
To be sure, the epicentre of the world is shifting from the Western-European post-World War Two American ‘model,’ of geo-strategic dominance–which is essentially an advance on what has become known colloquially known as the ‘Vasco da Gama’ era–to a world that will be Sino-driven, especially in the A-P. Australia will, in due course and because of its geographic location and its previous policy-making, be at the forefront of what will become a contested arena.
Commentary is offered on the below-mentioned categories, and is viewed through the prism of evidence-based argument
- General A-P/I-P regional geo-strategic & geo-political analysis;
- Rise of China (including Taiwan – China relations);
- Conflict interpretation and forecasting;
- Terrorism analysis;
- War studies; and
- Foreign policy relevant to conflict.
This blog is premised upon, and underpinned by independent, informative and succinct analysis.
It is a registered business and consultancy is available. Through the aforementioned prism, all erudite investigation is meant to offer information and analysis, thereby offering a deeper view of geo-strategic and geo-political happenings. All analysis, whether tailored or general, is accompanied by scholarly information and interpretation. When and where necessary is further informed and developed by an historical evidence-base.
This blog offers written and audio commentary and has at its core, an understanding that unless foreign and domestic policies on the part of numerous actors develop a more cosmopolitan and articulate approach, there will be a war in the A-P.
Geo-strategic and geo-political independent comment, analysis and assessments within the aforementioned areas and included where necessary related issues, such as Australian, European, Central Asian, East Asian, Southeast Asian and American domestic politics are able to be addressed.
All of the information contained in this blog is © Strobe Driver, and may be used with appropriate citation.
The link to my doctoral thesis can be found on my Curriculum Vitae page.
Recipient: Taiwan Fellowship 2018, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan, ROC.
Dr. Strobe Driver
Recent publications and other relevant commentary:
2019
Asia-Pacific and Cross-Strait Machinations: Challenges for Taiwan in the Nascent Phase of Pax-Sino
http://ccs.ncl.edu.tw/ccs2/research_info.aspx?sn=154
A Unified Korea: Good for All (Except Japan)
https://www.e-ir.info/2019/02/10/a-unified-korea-good-for-all-except-japan/
2018
Hell hath no fury: the makings of a Turnbull return
https://theaimn.com/hell-hath-no-fury-the-makings-of-a-turnbull-return/
The vagaries of US ‘commitment’
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2018/08/05/2003697989
From Possible to Probable: The Dynamics of a Taiwan – China War
https://www.academia.edu/36869064/From_possible_to_probable_The_Dynamics_of_a_Taiwan-China_War
Taiwan must prepare for blockade
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2018/06/26/2003695544
What war would mean for Taiwan
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2018/05/03/2003692412/1
Irredentism, Nationalism and a Looming Asia-Pacific War
http://www.e-ir.info/2018/04/13/irredentism-nationalism-and-a-looming-asia-pacific-war/
Thinking through the US’ ‘closer ties’
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2018/04/08/2003690895
China following West’s example
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2018/02/24/2003688126
2017
A New Age of Violence: Terrorism as an Asymmetrical and ‘Existential’ Threat
http://www.e-ir.info/2017/09/27/terrorism-as-an-asymmetrical-and-existential-threat/
Winning Hostilities Without War: United States- North Korea Machinations
Federation University: Cultural Enquiry and Research Group
Presentation: ‘The Dragon is Swimming’: How China is following the West’s ‘model of expansionism’ in the South China Sea
