Terrorism In Southeast Asia

Papers presented at the International Workshop on International Terrorism in Southeast Asia and its Likely Implications for South Asia, held at New Delhi, 28-29 April 2004.

Contents: (1) The Rise of Islamist Militancy in Southeast Asia: Overview; The Rise of Al Qaeda in Southeast Asia; (2) The Jemaah Islamiya (JI) Network: History of JI; JI¿s Relationship to Al Qaeda; JI¿s Size and Structure; (3) Indonesia: Recent Events; The Bali Bombings and Other JI attacks in Indonesia; The Trial and Release of Baasyir; (4) The Philippines: Abu Sayyaf; The MILF; The Philippine Communist Party; (5) Thailand: Southern Insurgency; Current Government¿s Approach; Little Evidence of Transnational Elements; (6) Malaysia: Recent Events; A Muslim Voice of Moderation; Maritime Concerns; Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in Malaysia; Terrorist Groups in Malaysia; Malaysia¿s Counter-Terrorism Efforts; (7) Singapore: U.S.-Singapore Coop.

This timely work examines the scale and root causes of terrorism across Southeast Asia, including the role of al-Qaeda's ascendancy in the region. It begins with an overview of the analytical and theoretical framework for discussing the subject. Individual chapters then examine terrorist activities from both functional and country-specific perspectives. The book traces fundamental linkages between terrorism and security issues, such as illegal immigration, narcotics trafficking, and other criminal activity. In addition, it considers the issue of convergence - the growing connection between criminal groups and terrorism, and how this may facilitate future violence. Written by a range of experts in the field, the individual chapters reflect a variety of perspectives. The contributions fall into two broad categories - chapters that directly address terrorism (the groups, their ideologies, their modus operandi, their origins, and state responses to them); and chapters that address the "enabling environment" that exists in Southeast Asia (the role of transnational crime, porous borders, convergence between terrorism and crime).

This is an excellent volume, which is very well conceived and balanced in its treatment of the problem of terrorism and insurgency in Southeast Asia. This volume will greatly advance our empirical understanding of conflict and violence in this pivotal region. The book contains many insightful contributions and, overall, the Handbook will serve as a standard reference on the subject matter for years to come'. M.L.R. Smith, King's College, University of London, UK. This timely and significant book seeks to explain the deep-seated complexities of terrorism and insurgency in Southeast Asia. In th.

This is an important and worthwhile book that should be read by anyone seeking to understand the history and evolution of political violence in Southeast Asia, including the origins of contemporary militant Islamist terrorism. Paul J. Smith, Contemporary Southeast Asia This very fine collection shows how and why Southeast Asia has been afflicted with terrorism from the end of World War II to the present time. No other volume tells us as much about the period and area. Anyone interested in the general theory and practice of terrorism and insurgency will find it indispensable. David C. Rapoport, University of California, Los Angeles, US and Editor of Journal of Terrorism and Political Violence This stimulating collection of essays underlines how Southeast Asia has again, as at the height of the Cold War, been pushed towards the top of the list of world conflict zones by the collision between long-standing regional problems and more recent external frictions. Anyone needing to learn more about the relationship between the war on terror and Southeast Asia, particularly regarding terrorism in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, will need to consult this work. Brian P. Farrell, National University of Singapore, and author of The Defence and Fall of Singapore 1940 1942 This book is an excellent addition to the literature on political violence in Southeast Asia providing a wealth of detail on terrorism, guerilla insurgency, and the use of terror and repression by governments. The book is especially valuable for the broad coverage of many different groups (not just Islamic ones), inclusion of the activities of governments, and a variety of opinions and views on terrorism and political violence. This book should be one of the essential resources for academics, policymakers, or anyone else interested in terrorism, insurgency, and political violence in the region. It is an extremely valuable tool for one and all. James M. Lutz, Indiana University Purdue University, US and co-author of Global Terrorism, with Brenda Lutz This is an excellent volume, which is very well conceived and balanced in its treatment of the problem of terrorism and insurgency in Southeast Asia. This volume will greatly advance our empirical understanding of conflict and violence in this pivotal region. The book contains many insightful contributions and, overall, the Handbook will serve as a standard reference on the subject matter for years to come. M.L.R. Smith, King s College, University of London, UK This timely and significant book seeks to explain the deep-seated complexities of terrorism and insurgency in Southeast Asia. In the aftermath of 9/11, this region has been designated by the United States to be the second front in the war on terrorism. Yet despite the emergence of this new global terrorism, the authors argue that armed rebellion in Southeast Asia is a phenomenon that predates Al Qaeda and the global Jihadist movement and that much can be learned from the motivations behind it. Written by a group of leading Western and emerging Southeast Asian scholars, this extensive volume demonstrates the difficulty and diversity of rebellion in Southeast Asia, and explores its intricate historical, political, social and economic roots. The book will serve as an excellent reference and educational text, providing an empirical and regional guide to the complex problem of insurgency in Southeast Asia. It will also contribute to a more educated understanding that could provide the basis for appropriate counter-terrorism strategies in this important part of the world. Comprehensive and engaging, this volume will find widespread appeal amongst researchers, students and policymakers interested in terrorism, international relations and Asian studies and will also be an invaluable tool for studies into political violence and security.

Zachary Abuza has traveled to most of the hot spots of Islamic militancy in Southeast Asia. Drawing on this intensive on-the-ground investigation, he explains the growing--and increasingly violent--Islamic political consciousness in Southeast Asia.

This book provides a rich analysis of the actors and organizations to reflect on the antecedents and trajectories of terrorism and insurgency in South Asia, and the different countermeasures adopted by the countries to deal with the security and developmental challenges. South Asia is a complex geography that has been both a victim and a playing field for indigenous insurgencies, and domestic and transnational terrorist movements. The contributors to this volume explore how this situation has posed serious challenges to the sovereignty of the states, to national and human security, and to the socioeconomic fabric of the communities, and to the ethnic and religious cohesion. The book provides detailed studies of country cases on terrorism, security, and insurgencies, and it underlines the national, regional, and global implications of the threats that emanate from this region. Presenting an opportunity to diversify away from a Western-centric focus on terrorism and security, this book will be valuable to researchers in political science, criminology, defense and security studies, and to policy makers and think tanks.

This book critically analyses the specific threat of terrorism in Southeast Asia since the Bali blasts of 12 October 2002 and the US-led war on Iraq. It offers a comprehensive and critical examination of the ideological, socioeconomic and political motivations, trans-regional linkages, and media representations of the terrorist threat in the region, assesses the efficacy of the regional counter-terror response and suggests a more balanced and nuanced approach to combating the terror threat in Southeast Asia. The contributors include leading scholars of political Islam in the region, renowned terrorism and regional security analysts, as well as highly regarded regional journalists and commentators. This represents a formidable and unequalled combination of expertise.