Lawfare in Indo-Pacific, Volume 2

Volume II of the two-volume set edited book expands the discussion by examining how law functions as a strategic instrument across diverse political, economic, cultural, and security contexts. Building on the conceptual foundations established in Volume I, this collection presents a range of case studies that illustrate the growing complexity and reach of lawfare in the world's most consequential geopolitical region. This volume explores emerging arenas of legal competition, including water security, geoeconomics, trade risks, religious freedom, and the role of legal values and culture in shaping regional interactions. These chapters demonstrate how legal frameworks increasingly influence both state and non-state actors in pursuing strategic objectives across the Indo-Pacific. Through focused analyses of regional flashpoints, it investigates legal contestation surrounding Taiwan, citizenship-by-investment programs in the Pacific, and shifting patterns of asymmetric interdependence. It further examines the impact of extra-regional actors and strategic alignments, assessing how legal warfare extends beyond the Indo-Pacific to influence global governance, international norms, and the rules-based order. Particular attention is given to the implications of Russian legal warfare, trilateral strategic cooperation among major authoritarian powers, and the growing engagement of Latin American states in Indo-Pacific affairs. This volume concludes with critical discussions on human rights challenges and long-term strategic forecasting, offering insights into the future trajectory of lawfare and regional security architecture. Essential reading for scholars, policymakers, military practitioners, and legal experts, this book highlights how legal contestation increasingly shapes both regional stability and global order in the twenty-first century.