Author Description

Of late, Southeast Asia has come into prominence as the second front in the global war on terrorism following the terrorist attacks on September 11. This extra-regional designation, which initially caused angst and consternation, has given way to the region's participation, with varying degrees of enthusiasm, in the war on terrorism. Events such as the discovery of the Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah (JI) network and the deadly Bali bomb attack in 2002 have brought the region into focus as a frontline in the war on international terrorism. As a very significant proportion of world trade and oil traverses the region's vital waterways, there is growing international recognition of the strategic importance of Southeast Asia. Updated and revised, this collection of writings by a well-known expert and advisor on various security and terrorism issues gives the reader an in-depth look at the looming security threats and challenges in the region.