The definitive guide to the world's most contested region UPDATED WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION What we call a part of the world is totemic- a mental map that guides the decisions of leaders and the story of order, war and peace. The Indo-Pacific is thus a place, an idea and a wave sweeping global diplomacy. It is the region central to global security and prosperity. It is also a metaphor for solidarity to balance Chinese power. If diplomacy fails, the Indo-Pacific will be the theatre of the first general war since 1945. But if its future can be secured, it will flourish as a shared space, the centre of gravity in a connected world. Written by a recognised expert, Contest for the Indo-Pacific is the definitive guide to tensions in the region. This edition has a substantial new introduction covering strategic shifts, including the AUKUS nuclear submarine pact, 'wolf warrior diplomacy' and the aftershocks of COVID-19. It deftly weaves together history, geopolitics, cartography, military strategy, economics, games and propaganda to address a vital question- how can China's dominance be prevented without war?