The Indian Ocean during the Cold War: Thinking through a Critical Geography

As part of a forum on the Indian Ocean, this article argues for the continued importance of the region during the Cold War. It describes how this period introduced new great power rivalries – namely, the United States and Soviet Union – but, as a result, reflected continuities with preceding centuries. This recent era is consequently indispensable for understanding ongoing patterns of history, in addition to providing a vital backdrop to our political present.