Bücher von Vance Hawkins

The consequences of the modernisation of the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) military forces over the last three decades have created challenges for the Asia-Pacific. Chinese forces have experienced cumulative improvements in their capabilities. Modernisation begins with doctrinal and strategic changes and continues with organisational transformation and, simultaneously, equipment acquisitions. China has pursued all these elements simultaneously, albeit unevenly. For decades, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was wedded to a ‘People’s War’, which emphasised “active defence”, as originally conceived by Mao Tse-tung. The PLA has since moved away from “active defence” to an emphasis on “military art” and “operations” [campaigns]. China’s military modernisation also focuses on sustaining operations beyond the country. One example is its Djibouti military base. It is also likely to create additional bases in friendly countries such as Pakistan. Its air force, army and navy are being developed for offensive and long-distance operations.  China clearly complicates U.S. defense planning in Asia, says CFR’s Senior Fellow for China Studies, Adam Segal. The Pentagon’s 2008 report to Congress states: "Current trends in China’s military capabilities are a major factor in changing East Asian military balances, and could provide China with a force capable of prosecuting a range of military operations in Asia-well beyond Taiwan." Most countries in the region have some degree of caution in their relationship with China, says James Mulvenon, director of Washington-based Center for Intelligence Research and Analysis. However, none of them, he adds, want to engage in any form of containment policy with the United States. Meanwhile, though China is wary of U.S. military presence close to its border, its troubles with Uighurs has led it to support U.S. military actions inside Afghanistan, say experts. Although China faces both internal and outside constraints on its rise to global eminence, it cannot be denied that China's government is pursuing a far-reaching strategic schedule.

Gymnastics is a sport practiced by men or and women that requires balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and endurance. The movements involved in gymnastics contribute to the development of the arms, legs, shoulders, back, chest and abdominalmuscle groups. Alertness, precision, daring, self-confidence and self-discipline are mental traits that can also be developed through gymnastics. Gymnastics evolved from exercises used by the ancient Greeks that included skills for mounting and dismounting a horse, and from circus performance skills. Gymnastics is an activity and a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, balance and grace. Artistic gymnastics is the best known of the gymnastics sports governed by the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique. Hence the present book will be immensely used by the prospective coaches, aspiring gymnasts, teachers and students of physical education and sports.

Volleyball covers broadly the complete field of volleyball. Ideal for professionals and general reader alike, this volume contains sections covering the history of the game, the major competitions, the playing nations, the great players, rules and regulations, different tactics and techniques, playing regulations, equipments, fouls, positions and structures, shooting, passing, variations and similar games and much more. The game of volleyball is a dandy game and more besides. At its top level competitive aspect, it is a fast moving energetic game demanding skill, strength, agility, team work and intelligence from its players. At its lowest level, it is an enjoyable, easily set-up game from which youngsters and beginners of all ages can quickly gain pleasure and satisfaction. Volleyball Skills and Rules is a unique effort and invaluable contribution to the sports and games. It is especially designed for use by beginners to advanced players, teachers and coaches. The comprehensive text in the book explains the various tips and tactics and methods to develop these tactics in simple English. The book is consisted of latest rules of Volleyball as drafted by the USVBA (U.S. Volleyball Association) which is the leading organization for Volleyball. It is hoped that this book will help the sportsperson, professors, readers, coaches, instructors, students of physical education and for the general readers too.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s charismatic personality and determined push for India’s economic development have made him immensely popular at home. Modi’s foreign policy initiatives are driven as much by his government’s domestic political strength as by India’s rising concern over rapid expansion of China’s economic clout and military might in Asia. Three years since then, though, a lot has happened. Indo-Pak relations have seen a roller coaster ride. From inviting Nawaz Sharif to PM Modi's oath taking ceremony to Modi paying an impromptu visit to Pakistan on Nawaz Sharif's birthday, from the Pathankot attack to Uri Attack, from Pakistan backed terrorism in Kashmir valley to the LoC surgical strikes, the list goes on. Meanwhile, China is making headway in wooing India's neighbours. Clearly, "Neighbourhood First" is turning into "Neighbourhood Lost."  The “neighborhood first” policy is the striking feature of Modi government’s diplomatic approach. In his government’s strategic imagination, India’s relations with neighboring countries must receive topmost priority. If India does not resolve its differences with its small neighbors, it will only pave the way for China to exert growing influence in the region. India's relations with China have not shown much improvement in the last three years. China's Silk Road diplomacy has successfully wooed India's neighbours, most of whom are participants in China's "One Belt One Road" Project. India decided not to be a part of this project as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passes through PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir), which is claimed by India as its own territory. CPEC is definitely a headache to India's policymakers as this gives both Pakistan and China a strategic advantage over the sensitive region of Kashmir.  This book highlights that in the past three decades, due to the constraints of coalition politics, there has been little insight into India’s foreign policy.