Howard M. Hensel is the Henry H. Arnold Professor of International Relations and Strategic Studies at the USAF Air War College, USA. His previously published books include: Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific (2018), Naval Powers in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific (2018), Air Power in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific (2020), and Security Dynamics in the Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula (2023).

Introduction; Part I: Security Challenges and Power Configurations in The South China Sea Sub-Region: The Historical Context; 1. The Pre-Colonial Heritage of the South China Sea; 2. The South China Sea during the Colonial and Post-Independence Periods; Part II: Contemporary Security Challenges and Opportunities in the South China Sea Sub-Region; 3. The Contemporary Strategic, Maritime, and Economic Significance of the South China Sea; 4. The Naval Balance of Power in the South China Sea 5, The South China Sea: The International Legal Dimension; 6. Pirates, Illegal Fishing, and Other Illicit Activities in the South China Sea; Part III: Chinese Contemporary Perspectives, Interests, Challenges, Objectives, and Strategies in the South China Sea Sub-Region; 7. China and the South China Sea; 8. The Status of Taiwan and Hong Kong; Part IV: Contemporary Perspectives, Interests, Challenges, Objectives, and Strategies of the South China Sea Littoral States; 9. The Philippines and the South China Sea; 10. Vietnam and the South China Sea; 11. Indonesia and Malaysia and the South China Sea; Part V: Contemporary Perspectives, Interests, Challenges, Objectives, and Strategies of Non-Littoral States Active in the South China Sea; 12. The United States and the South China Sea 13. Japan and the South China Sea; 14. Australia and the South China Sea; 15. Russia and the South China Sea; 16. India and the South China Sea Conclusion; Conclusion