1. EL INDO-PACIFICO, EJE FUNDAMENTAL DE LA GEOPOLITICA DEL SIGLO XXI.
- Author
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LÓPEZ NADAL, JUAN MANUEL
- Subjects
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BLUE economy , *GEOPOLITICS , *REGIONALISM (International organization) , *INTERNATIONAL economic relations , *NEIGHBORS - Abstract
This essay tries to explain the reasons why the geopolitical concept of the "Indo-Pacific" has gradually replaced the previous one of the "Asia-Pacific". Three fundamental facts are in the origin of the new geopolitical construct; the rise of an increasingly assertive China that is perceived as a potential threat by most of its neighbours; the emergence of India as a regional power and a potential balancer of the Chinese colossus, and finally the growing importance of the sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) between the Indian and the Pacific Ocean in the world economy and geostrategy. After some geographical and historical considerations, we will examine the academic elaboration of the concept and its gradual assumption by the political actors within and outside the region. We will also briefly describe the strategies of the main states and regional organizations involved, and finally we will refer to the main conflict hotspots in this huge maritime and continental space that may become the world's geopolitical axis in the present century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023