Handbook of Terrorism in the Asia-Pacific

Book excerpt: "This handbook explains the rise of terrorist groups in the Asia-Pacific region, among them ethno-nationalist groups, jihadi groups, as well as Islamic-State provinces. Government responses to these threats vary, but a common thread is the lack of preparation for terrorists' use of cyber tools to recruit operatives and organize attacks. Co-edited by one of the world's most knowledgeable experts on terrorism, Professor Rohan Gunaratna, this book is a must read for anyone interested in the growing threat of terrorism in the Asia-Pacific region." Jessica Stern Author of Terror in the Name of God: Why Religious Militants Kill and co-author of ISIS: the State of Terror "The threat posed by the Islamic State to our region is unprecedented! The Handbook of Terrorism in the Asia-Pacific is a must read to understand the threat and craft a response." Dato Ayob Khan Head, Counter-Terrorism, Malaysia "Terrorism is a global threat, as this useful and timely Handbook reveals, showing that every country in the Asia-Pacific region faces some form of potentially violent political, ethnic and religious extremism. The Handbook is both comprehensive and authoritative, relying on the expertise of Asia's finest centre of terrorism research. It is invaluable -- a country-by-country resource for business, government, journalism, and the concerned public -- and will be the go-to reference for years to come." Professor Mark Juergensmeyer Author of Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence "The handbook is an invaluable compendium for students of terrorism in the Asia-Pacific region over the past 70 years. It describes the nature and aspirations of the groups seeking to use force against both legitimate governments and innocent civilian populations, and analyses the responses of governments around the region. It will prove an essential companion for counter-terrorism experts across the region, providing accurate context against which they can understand and deal with the problem of terrorism on both a national and a cooperative regional basis. Its authors and contributors are to be commended for their comprehensive and intelligent contribution." Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism The Handbook of Terrorism in the Asia-Pacific provides a historical overview of terrorism in the Asia-Pacific, the evolution of threat, and the present threat faced by countries with the rise of the Islamic State (IS). This is a concise and readable handbook which examines the origins of the current wave of terrorism across countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Northeast Asia and the Pacific, and identifies emerging trends and new forms of terror that have altered the landscape and rendered the region increasingly vulnerable to asymmetric attacks. Comprising of more than 20 chapters, this handbook will be a useful source of reference for undergraduate and graduate students focused on understanding the causes of terrorism and insurgency in the Asia-Pacific.