Militant Islam in Southeast Asia

Drawing on 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 state responses to the growing Islamic political consciousness.

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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.