The Cold War, 1945-1989 -- The international politics of the Asia-Pacific -- The impact of the Cold War and the struggles for independence, 1945-1954 -- The application of bipolarity, 1954-1970 -- The period of tripolarity, 1971-1989 -- The policies of the Great Powers -- The United States and the Asia-Pacific -- The Soviet Union/Russia and the Asia-Pacific -- China and the Asia-Pacific -- Japan and the Asia-Pacific -- The post Cold War period -- The era of American pre-eminence -- The new structure of international relations -- The United States : from the end of the Cold War to the war on terrorism -- China : China's rising power and influence -- Japan : towards a new role after the end of the Cold War.