South Asia in World Politics offers a comprehensive introduction to the politics and international relations of South Asia, a key area encompassing the states of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. While U.S. interest has long been sporadic and reactive, 9/11 alerted Washington that paying only fitful attention to one of the world's most volatile and populous regions was a recipe for everyday instability, repeated international crises, major and minor wars, and conditions so chronically unsettled that they continue to provide a fertile breeding ground for transnational Islamic terrorism. Exploring the many facets of this dynamic region, the book also assesses U.S. policy toward Afghanistan and explains the importance of Bangladesh and Pakistan, two of only a handful of Islamic states with significant track records as democracies.

By Devin T. Hagerty - Contributions by Craig Baxter; Jonah Blank; Maya Chadda; Herbert G. Hagerty; Timothy D. Hoyt; Gaurav Kampani; Peter R. Lavoy; Swarna Rajagopalan; Anupam Srivastava; David Taylor and Robert G. Wirsing

Chapter 1 South Asia Chronology Chapter 2 Introduction: South Asia in World Politics Part 3 Part I: The Actors and Their Interests Chapter 4 India's Foreign Relations Chapter 5 Pakistan's Foreign Relations Chapter 6 Bangladesh's Foreign Relations Chapter 7 South Asia's Small States in World Politics Chapter 8 The Reconstitution and Reconstruction of Afghanistan Chapter 9 Great-Power Foreign Policies in South Asia Part 10 Part II: International Issue Areas Chapter 11 Kashmir and India-Pakistan Nuclear Issues Chapter 12 International Dimensions of Ethnic Conflict Chapter 13 Religion and Politics Chapter 14 Democratization and Development Chapter 15 Globalization and Economic Liberalization Chapter 16 The War on Terrorism: Implications for South Asia