Author(s): ABUZA ZACHARY

Politics

Islamic extremism in Southeast Asia has moved beyond a matter of local concern to one of global significance - as the events of the past decade have so clearly demonstrated. Drawing on intensive on-the-ground investigation and interviews with key militants, Zachary Abuza explains the emergence of radical Islamist groups in the region, examines Al-Qaida's role as organizational catalyst, and explores individual and multilateral state responses to the growing - and increasingly violent - Islamic political consciousness. Abuza also analyzes state strategies for combating, co-opting, or coping with militant Islamist groups. A key question here is whether state actors are trying to resolve the root causes of Muslim disaffection - or merely using the war on terrorism to suppress the symptoms.