My following book review appeared in yesterday’s Sydney Sun Herald newspaper:
There Goes the Neighbourhood
Michael Wesley
(New South Books, $32.95)Australia’s insecurity in the Asia-Pacific region is legendary. Over decades prime ministers and commentators have urged a close relationship with Washington while remaining open to romance with leading powers such as China to buy security and stability. Wesley challenges this outlook, asking policy makers to take far more seriously countries such as South Korea and the Philippines and recognise that the 21st century has already forced challenges to established doctrine. However, any serious human rights agenda is absent – a blind spot that’s shared by many.