Small Islands, Big Flashpoints

Complex maritime territorial disputes have intensified in Asia-Pacific region after the Cold War and with the introduction of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Tiny islands have turned into major flashpoints threatening regional peace, stability, and cooperation. This research describes China s maritime territorial disputes in East and South China Seas, examines the impact of the ongoing disputes on regional security and cooperation, evaluates the role of China in the region regarding disputes, and explores the possibility for potential military conflict. Furthermore, the book analyses the role of the US and its interest, and evaluates possible ways for peaceful conflict mitigation and resolution. The investigation concludes that China s maritime territorial disputes have destabilizing impact on security and negative impact on international cooperation. The book suggests that China will manage to influence further the region in its favour, similarly to Rome s influence in the Mediterranean and the US s in the Caribbean seas.