Shaping the Asia-Pacific studies some of the most important political leaders in the region. It shows how they and their different approaches to domestic and foreign affairs have shaped the region, as well as the impact that these leaders have had on international politics across the world. The scholars featured in this book are a diverse group of renowned subject-matter experts from both within and outside the Asia- Pacific region.Leaders matter. The role of leaders should not be underestimated when it comes to a state's international relations. As agenda-setters, they play a crucial role in shaping and influencing a nation's foreign policy — forging alliances, negotiating treaties, and representing their countries on the global stage. They impact the world through the ideas they bring and the actions they take. This is no different in the Asia- Pacific. Since the end of the Second World War, this part of the world that was once marginalized in global politics has emerged as a crucial geopolitical and economic player. The strategic trajectory of the region has been defined and shaped by the visionary policies, leadership, and influence of voices such as Shinzo Abe, Bob Hawke, Kim Dae-jung, Narendra Modi, Deng Xiaoping, Xi Jinping, Lee Kuan Yew, Mahathir Mohamad, Fidel Ramos, and Lee Teng-hui. This study analyzes their leadership styles, their policy initiatives, and the effects they have had on international affairs, highlighting the enduring significance of individual agency in foreign policy.
