“Regionalism, Security & Cooperation in Oceania” is the latest book to be published by the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. The book is edited by APCSS professor Dr. Rouben Azizian and Dean of the College of Security Studies Carleton Cramer.

According to Dr. Azizian, the first thought that comes to many minds when thinking about the Pacific Islands region is about warm beaches and blue water. But the region is also a complex study in how diplomatic, defense, economic and socio-political factors, both internal and external, shape the region’s identity and comprehensive security. The book does not pretend to be an all-inclusive study of the regional security environment but it hopefully helps build more interest toward better understanding of Oceania’s security – an interest (and attention) that is often missing or lacking cultural sensitivity and strategic vision as many of the authors in this volume suggest,” said Azizian. The book is the result of a workshop on Regional Security Architecture held in August 2014 in Vanuatu hosted by APCSS and the Pacific Institute of Public Policy. Eleven of the workshop participants, who are subject matter experts from across the region, contributed chapters to the book offering an expert analysis and discussion of key trends, challenges and opportunities for enhancing regional security cooperation and harmonizing Oceania’s regional security architecture.

As Dean Cramer points out in the Conclusion, “the Pacific Island countries are unique among the world community in that all have vast maritime territories that significantly exceed their relatively modest amount of land territory. What happens in Oceania has global implications.” The book is available online for free download at: www.apcss.org or see the links below to download individual chapters:

full book download:  http://www.apcss.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Regionalism-Security-Cooperation-Oceania.pdf

Full Color Book Cover

Table of Contents + Acronyms

Introduction: Regionalism, Security & Cooperation in Oceania
– Rouben Azizian ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………  .9

Regional Security Architecture in the Pacific Islands Region: Rummaging through the Blueprints
– R.A. Herr ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….17

The Regional Security Environment and Architecture in the Pacific Islands Region
– Michael Powles ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………  …32

China’s Role in the Pacific Islands Region
– Jian Zhang …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….  43

Still Missing in the Rebalance? The United States and the Pacific Island Countries
– Eric Y. Shibuya ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………  .57

Australia and Security in the Pacific Islands Region
– Jenny Hayward-Jones …………………………………………………………………………………………………….     67

Finding Common Ground: New Zealand and Regional Security Cooperation in the Pacific
– Anna Powles …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 79

Indonesian Diplomatic Maneuvering in Melanesia: Challenges and Opportunities
– Jim Elmslie …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 96

Acting West, Looking East: Timor-Leste’s Growing Engagement with the Pacific Islands Region
– Jose Kai Lekke Sousa-Santos ………………………………………………………………………………………….   110

Communities of Interest and Communities of Practice: The Role of Norms, Values and Principles in Training for Peace Operations
– Russel Parkin ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..122

Managing Maritime Resources in the Pacific—With a Focus on Tongan EEZ Management1
– Yoichiro Sato …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………135

Climate Change Challenges to Security in the Pacific Islands Region and Opportunities for Cooperation to Manage the Threat
– J. Scott Hauger ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………147

Conclusion: Regional Security Architecture in Oceania: Quo Vadis?
– Carleton Cramer …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… .161

Notes on Contributors ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….  166

The views expressed in this book are the authors’ and not necessarily the views of APCSS, U.S. Pacific Command or the U.S. Government.