Libro del 2019 che va letto in fretta (e con attenzione) perché fotografa una situazione in divenire. Si tratta di molte pagine, spesso ridondanti, piene di dati che restano abbastanza sulla superficie ma che riescono comunque a tratteggiare l'orizzonte di un cambiamento che ha implicazioni storiche, culturali, sociali, economiche (Khanna si sofferma senza dubbio soprattutto su queste ultime). Poiché è impossibile esaurire un argomento così vasto, questo libro può essere soprattutto considerato come una introduzione a ulteriori approfondimenti autonomi. Il maggiore pregio del libro è quello di sfatare alcuni miti e "aprire gli occhi" uscendo da punti di vista troppo "occidente-centrici". ( )

Outrageously simplified and overoptimistic view of Asia. All the problems either completely ignored or dismissed with barely a sentence. Also I don't like the constant suggestions that the rise of China is somehow the end of the west. World economy is not a zero sum game. If one country starts buying fridges it doesn't mean fewer fridges for everyone else. ( )

The author, a foreign policy strategist , presents the reader with a kaleidoscopic view of Asian expansion both economic and demographic with copious footnotes. Whereas the United States Government operates with an outmoded “big stick” mode setting up obstacles to its asian partners the asian mode is pragmatic and strategic. China is not the only player changing the landscape. Key components such as transportation, building infrastructure, technical training and loans (not without strings attached) are pushing the frontiers of the smaller or less developed nation states in this mix. This is a must read for anyone interested in Asia’a future. Unfortunately it was written before the Cov-19 pandemic but that should not diminish reading the tea leaves for the future. ( )

This isn't a bad book. In fact, it's pretty good. But I'm torn on what to rate it. On one hand, it could potentially deserve 5 stars for accuracy, a good overview, it being topical. On the other hand, I feel inclined to give it only 3 stars because it's really rather late to the party, so to speak. It's not like there's much that's new here, and tons of things have been written and published on this very topic for over the past decade. Indeed, some may argue it's SO late to the party, the author may have missed some important signs. The CFR's noted Director of Asia Studies, Liz Economy (whose own potentially more topical book, "The Third Revolution: Xi Jinping and the New Chinese State," was released last year) has been writing and publishing articles in most of the major foreign policy journals that China is actually on its way down -- and fast! I don't know that I agree with her, but others do and it's no secret that China's economy is in the midst of a serious slowdown -- there was no feasible way China could sustain that GDP growth. Indeed, it appears India is poised to leap into that position as China fights a huge aging population crisis combined with the additional population crisis prompted by its one child rule, so its workforce will be radically impacted over the next 20+ years. Thus, those who adhere to Economy's viewpoint -- and there are quite a few -- might give this book only 2 stars. I'm giving it 4 because I think it's still currently relevant and probably will be for the next decade to come with much up in the air over that time as India strives to attain regional hegemony status, and while people are making noise over Indonesia's possibilities in the region -- Australian leaders are already discussing forming defense treaties with that country should the PLAN push further into international waters to its south... The ECS problem could turn into a nightmare should the CCP decide to do more than test Japan over the The Senkaku Islands dispute while South Korea is busy trying to match the PLAN with carrier strength buildouts while continuing to watch its northern neighbors. So, yes, the future IS Asian, but it's faulty to assume it's solely Chinese or will remain so because yes, it's no longer a unipolar world, but then when people refer to a multipolar world, they're no longer necessarily referring to the US, China and Russia. In addition to India, Brazil is trying to ambitiously strive for southern hemisphere regional hegemony status, and Britain has just sent a new carrier to the SCS while committing to invest more in such ships. The CFR's Sheila Smith published a book last year on Japan mobilizing militarily for potential offensive purposes for the first time since WWII, largely contrary to the constitution we wrote for them since our current US administration is apparently leaving its longtime allies in the East to fend for themselves. Can we say powder keg? I think we can. Geopolitical observation and analysis has become all the more "fun" again, just as it's become all the more frightening. This book is good but I doubt it stands out from a crowded field very much, but for those watching the eastward shift, it's another good resource to invest in and thus, recommended. ( )