Pedra Branca

This book is about the territorial dispute between Malaysia and Singapore over Pedra Branca, a small but strategically located island near the entrance to the Straits of Malacca. It describes how the two countries managed the dispute over three decades until final resolution by the International Court of Justice in May 2008. The two authors, who were personally involved in the case, recount the many twists and turns in the dispute as well as behind the scenes political and diplomatic manoeuvres. At a time when Asia still has numerous unresolved territorial disputes, the book would be of great interest to scholars, academics and practitioners in politics, international relations, history, diplomatic and legal circles.

Southeast Asian Affairs 2009 provides an informed and readable analysis of events and developments in the region in 2008. In the regional section of the volume, the first two articles give the political and economic overview of Southeast Asia, the third discusses the use of mediation as a means for conflict resolution, while the fourth examines regional cooperation in maritime security arena. Eleven country reviews as well as well as six special theme articles follow, covering political, economic, security and social developments in the various countries and their implications for the region.

This title addresses the current international law debates and transcends them. Responding to influential scholarly statements on international law, the author presents a new framework that decision-makers should consider when they confront an international problem implicating the often-competing policies and interests of their own communities & global order. Instead of advocating for or against international law as legitimate or binding, Cheng acknowledges its shortcomings while presenting a practical means of deciding whether compliance in a given circumstance is beneficial, moral, or necessary.