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by John C. Dorrance (Author)
Although the Pacific islands were front-page news during the 1941-1945 Pacific War, today they are seldom in the American consciousness--except as a perception of Micheneresque tropical paradises. But the islands--10,000 strong and scattered over nearly one-fifth of the earth's surface--still straddle or remain close to the sea and air lanes that link the United States with Australia and Asia, and carry nearly one-half of U.S. foreign trade. New political interests also exist with the recent emergence of a new panoply of independent Pacific island states, extension of U.S. sovereignty to other Pacific islands, and new defense responsibilities in several states linked to the United States by free association.
John C. Dorrance offers an exceptionally authoritative and comprehensive assessment of U.S. interests in and policy toward a poorly understood region. The islands, highly aid dependent and uniquely vulnerable to external influences, have experienced insurrections, military coups, secessionist rebellion, political assassinations, Soviet in-roads, and even Libyan mischief-making. Ethnic conflict and developmental problems also threaten democratic institutions and the region's stability. Dorrance thoroughly explores the regional policy environment and the issues that face the United States. His book is of lasting value to scholars and especially to policy-makers and practitioners.Author Biography
JOHN C. DORRANCE, an independent foreign affairs consultant and analyst until his death in 1991, specialized in the affairs of Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific islands during much of his career in the U.S. Foreign Service (1956-1989). Assignments abroad included Australia, Fiji, Micronesia, and Papua New Guinea. Assignments in the Department of State involved U.S. policy planning, international security issues, UN and East Asian affairs, the Pacific islands, Australia, and New Zealand. In 1988-1989 he was a senior fellow at the Institute for National Strategic Studies of the National Defense University, Washington, D.C. Mr. Dorrance authored several books and numerous journal articles on U.S. interests and policies in the Pacific area.
