Contents: Foreword. Introduction. 1. Afghanistan. 2. Bangladesh. 3. China. 4. India. 5. Indonesia. 6. Iran. 7. Iraq. 8. Israel. 9. Japan. 10. Kazakhstan. 11. Kyrgyzstan. 12. Malaysia. 13. Myanmar. 14. Nepal. 15. North Korea. 16. Pakistan. 17. Singapore. 18. South Korea. 19. Sri Lanka. 20. Taiwan. 21. Tajikistan. 22. Thailand. 23. Turkmenistan. 24. Uzbekistan. 25. Gulf Cooperation Council Countries -- an overview. 26. Bahrain. 27. Kuwait. 28. Oman. 29. Qatar. 30. Saudi Arabia. 31. United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"Nation-states are compelled to function within the parameters of their respective geo-political and geo-strategic environment. The behaviour of nations, and the interplay of their strengths and vulnerabilities, particularly, their foreign and military posturing, is predicated on geographic, political and economic factors. Besides, historical imperatives also coalesce in determining the way states shape their policies.

Many Asian countries today are threatened by a war that is of a subtle and imperceptible nature. There is also a paradigm shift in the perception of national security, especially with the blurring of the notion of internal and external security. This is reflected in the growing military expenditures of several Asian countries.

This volume attempts to examine the critical factors that influence the foreign and defence policies of Asian Countries. It provides comprehensive information and analyses of the strengths, needs, aspirations and compulsions that shape their strategic and military outlook." (jacket)