Asia and the Road Ahead: Issues for the Major Powers examines the foreign policy trends and challenges facing six key Asian-Pacific societies: Japan, the People's Republic of China, India, Indonesia, the Soviet Union, and the United States. Organized into five regions—Pacific Ocean, Northeast Asia, the Continental Center, Southeast Asia, and South Asia—the study explores domestic influences on foreign policy and highlights the interconnectedness of these regions. While acknowledging the fluidity and uncertainties of contemporary global politics, the author argues for continued U.S. engagement in the Asian-Pacific world, cautioning against isolationism in the wake of America's defeat in Indochina. The work advocates periodic reassessment of foreign policy priorities, balancing economic, political, and military tools to address evolving challenges.

Drawing on decades of experience, including 26 trips to the Soviet Union and Asia since World War II, the author incorporates insights from numerous experts and sources, including a January 1974 Foreign Affairs article on China. While the work reflects the author’s personal convictions, it incorporates contrasting perspectives to provide a comprehensive analysis. The collaborative input from academic peers and field experts further enhances the depth of this study, making it a valuable resource for understanding the complexities and alternatives shaping the future of the Asian-Pacific region.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1975.