Obama’s account of his movement from lower reaches of Democrat politics to the White House is compelling reading. It is well written, and best digested slowly, chapter by chapter, anecdote by anecdote.

Kishore Mahbubani argues the US has launched a contest with China, while ignoring the advice that geopolitical sage George Kenen gave America during the Cold War. Namely, that it should maintain spiritual vitality at home, cultivate friends all over the world, not insult its adversary, and be humble.

Global demand for rare metals is rapidly rising. Guillaume Pitron explores and exposes the geopolitical, economic, environmental, and societal impacts of securing supplies of these raw materials.

Joko Widodo’s victory in the presidential race in 2014 challenged the previously elitist political establishment. His victory represented change, however Widodo's vision of modern Indonesia has not been realised.

One part of China's Belt and Road Initiative is a high-speed train project from Kunming, China through Southeast Asia to Singapore. This project suggests that China's partner countries can have substantial agency and shape projects to suit their own interests.

According to Bill Hayton, the modern Chinese state was constructed, or “invented,” at the end of the Qing Dynasty, based on Western ideas of nation, race, history, and territory. In The Invention of China, Hayton demonstrates that China is no more ancient, special, or authentic than most other states.

The 20th century saw unprecedented social changes which heightened women’s inclusion in public life. Jacqui True’s new book depicts the dark underbelly of gendered violence which continues to impact female emancipation.

Jonah Schulhofer-Wohl presents a compelling case for why we must think anew about how civil wars end and how the concept of quagmire can aid us in this task. His book is essential reading for scholars interested in war-termination, civil war, and conflict resolution.

International relations are more than just government. With relations between Canberra and Beijing at a stalemate, the story of AFL team Port Adelaide’s audacious push into China reminds us of the choice between insularity and international engagement.

The dominant narrative in Southeast Asia is that China is drawing all the region’s states into its sphere of influence. Professor David Shambaugh challenges this view, arguing that the US is an underappreciated power in Southeast Asia, while China is an overestimated one.