The NBR Analysis is an occasional paper series that offers thought-provoking essays on the most important economic, political, and strategic issues in the Asia-Pacific region today. Available in PDF format only. Print copies are available upon request. Please contact orders@nbr.org for price and availability. NBR Analysis PDFs are free for 60 days after publication.
Since the rise to prominence of transnational terrorist networks such as al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah after September 11, there has been heightened international interest in the evolving nature of these networks and their influence on local Islamist groups in South and Southeast Asia. Changes in the organization, leadership, ideological orientation, and geographical reach of these local groups may correlate to increased radicalization or the rise of moderate currents within them. Such developments have significant implications for state stability and regional security. In this issue of the NBR Analysis, Animesh Roul explores the rising menace of Islamic extremism in South Asia while discussing key terrorist groups, networks, and emerging terrorism trends throughout the region. Joseph Chinyong Liow identifies and analyzes broad political trends emerging in Muslim Southeast Asia in recent years. Drawing from the analyses and findings emerging from these two essays, Robert W. Hefner provides an introductory overview of Islamism in South and Southeast Asia while offering significant policy implications for the United States in both regions.
Introduction: Islamism and U.S. Policy in South and Southeast Asia Robert W. Hefner
South Asia: Hotbed of Islamic Terrorism Animesh Roul
The Fluid Terrain of Islamism in Southeast Asia Joseph Chinyong Liow
Taiwan's Future: Narrowing Straits Robert G. Sutter (May 11)
Aftershock: The 112th Congress and Post-Crisis Asia Edward Gresser and Daniel Twining (Mar 11)
Sino-U.S. Competition and U.S. Security: How Do We Assess the Military Balance? Dan Blumenthal (Dec 10)
Power Constrained: Sources of Mutual Strategic Suspicion in U.S.-China Relations David M. Lampton (Jun 10)
Pakistani Partnerships with the United States: An Assessment Daniel Markey (Nov 09)
Shock of the New: Congress and Asia in 2009 Edward Gresser and Daniel Twining (Feb 09)
Post–September 11 Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations: Prospects for Counter-insurgency Cooperation Abdulkader H. Sinno and Rasul Bakhsh Rais (Dec 08)
Challenges Facing Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Ijaz Khan and Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema (Aug 08)
Aspects of Islamism in South and Southeast Asia Robert W. Hefner, Animesh Roul and Joseph Chinyong Liow (Aug 08)
Understanding China's New Sovereign Wealth Fund Eric G. Altbach and Michael H. Cognato (Jul 08)
Russian Energy Policy and Strategy Paul J. Saunders, Robert Legvold and Mikhail Kroutikhin (Jul 08)
Assessing Regional Reactions to China's Peaceful Development Doctrine Carlyle A. Thayer, Jae Ho Chung and Brahma Chellaney (Apr 08)
Muslim Professional Associations and Politics in Southeast Asia Robert W. Hefner, Ann Marie Murphy and Bridget Welsh (Mar 08)
Islamic Finance: Global Trends and Challenges Zeti Akhtar Aziz and Shamshad Akhtar (Mar 08)
Nuclear Asia: U.S. Policy in an Age of Proliferation Gary Samore and Mitchell B. Reiss (Mar 07)
Emerging Trends, Dormant Interest: Developments in Northeast Asian Politics Michael H. Armacost and Yukio Satoh (Jan 07)
U.S. Services Trade, Employment, and Competitiveness Robert Bednarzik and Brett Theodos (Dec 06)
Abe Shinzo and Japan's Change of Course Kenneth B. Pyle (Oct 06)
"Going Out": China's Pursuit of Natural Resources and Implications for the PRC's Grand Strategy Aaron L. Friedberg (Sep 06)
Information Technology: Advancing Global Health Craig Mundie (May 06)