Historian Ronald Spector documents the Allies occupation of the Pacific theater following the end of World War II. Mr. Spector says that the Japanese surrender on August 14, 1945 did not usher in peace but rather marked the start of several regional battles as formerly occupied countries demanded their independence. Ronald Spector discusses his book In the Ruins of Empire with Steven Clemons, director of the American Strategy Program and senior fellow at the New America Foundation. Mr. Clemons formerly served as the executive vice president of the New America Foundation and is co-founder and director of the Japan Policy Research Institute. ...

Watch the video of the interview here.