‘Will Asia’s future be fractured, unified, or rebalanced? In Asian Crucible, Nick Bisley delivers a sweeping history and clear-eyed roadmap to the forces reshaping the region – and the choices that will define not only Asia’s destiny, but the world’s.’ Zack Cooper, American Enterprise Institute

‘Nick Bisley is one of the world’s most perceptive analysts of Asia. With clarity and authority, he illuminates both the dangers facing this pivotal region and the ways they might yet be managed.’ Brendan Taylor, Australian National University

‘A succinct and timely book that explores Asia’s past and present and offers discerning arguments about its possible futures.’ Jurgen Haacke, London School of Economics and Political Science

“Rarely is the epic story of the making of modern Asia given such thorough treatment as here. Emerging from an imperial past, Asia cohered in the era of globalisation. US leadership played a role, but Asia's economies cohered when they became China-centred, albeit not Sino-centric. These vital distinctions are examined with nuance, offering an informed view of Asia’s current and future trajectory.” Samir Puri, Chatham House and author of 'Westlessness'

The decades-spanning story of Asia’s rise, and the new faultlines that are set to shape the region's and the world's future.

For many centuries, Asia had been the apex of human civilization, home to the greatest concentrations of wealth, power and population. Yet by the mid-twentieth century, in the aftermath of colonialism and war, much of the continent was mired in poverty and underdevelopment.

This book tells the sweeping story of Asia’s modern resurgence: how globalization, supply chains and market-led integration powered unprecedented economic growth and lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty. It explores the creativity, energy and resilience that made this possible, while examining the dark side of that success: new geopolitical and nationalistic tensions that threaten to unravel this progress.

As Asia stands at a crossroads, facing both extraordinary opportunity and escalating risk, this timely analysis offers insight into the forces shaping its future. Drawing on history, economics and geopolitics, it is a call for thoughtful leadership to ensure that peace and prosperity rather than conflict and division define the next chapter of Asia’s story.

Nick Bisley is Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Professor of International Relations at La Trobe University, Australia. He recently completed a term as President of the Australasian Council of Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, has been Visiting Fellow at the East-West Center, Washington, DC and previously served as Editor-in-Chief of the Australian Journal of International Affairs.

1. Introduction

2. Imperialism and its Aftermath

3. Cold War to Long Peace

4. Asia Integrated

5. The Pandemic Years and the End of Globalization

6. Geopolitics and the Great Powers

7. Flashpoints and Zones of Contestation

8. Sources of Risk and Volatility

9. Three Paths to the Future

10. Securing Asia’s Future