I. Readings for Session 6
Rohan Gunaratna, “Islamic Terrorism: Can We Meet the Challenge?”, Global Asia, vol. 2, no. 3, Winter 2007, pp. 34-40.
John Sidel, “It is Not Getting Worse: Terrorism is Declining in Asia/From Bali to Karachi: Where's the Terror?,” Global Asia, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 41-49.
You may access/download both articles for free through this link.
II. Lecture Powerpoint Slides
Click the image below to access slides (in JPG format). You may download and view them as a Slideshow too!
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| 2008 10 08 Session 6 - Is Terrorism in Asia Increasing or Decreasing? |
III. Selected Maps in South and Southeast Asia
1. South Asia Map
2. Indonesia Map
3. Map of the Philippines
4. ARMM in the Southern Philiippines Map
IV. Videos on Terrorism in Asia
1. Bin Laden Lashes Out at Arab Leaders (AP - May 19, 2008)
Osama bin Laden released a new message on Sunday denouncing Arab leaders for sacrificing the Palestinians and saying the head of the Shiite militant group Hezbollah did not really have the strength to take on Israel.
2. Taliban Attacks US in Afghanistan (ABC NEWS Sept 20, 2008)
Afghanistan is more dangerous to US troops than Iraq.
3. Exclusive: Embedded with the Taliban (France 24 - Sept 12, 2008)
FRANCE 24 reporters accompanied a group of Taliban fighters on an attack against Afghan troops. The group’s leader has a warning for French troops after last month’s deadly ambush: leave now or face more.
4. Video of the Bali Bomber
Actual tourist footage of the Bali Bombing.
5. Abu Dujana (CNN - June 25, 2007)
YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia -- Militants will continue to target Westerners on the streets of Indonesia as they fight to impose full Islamic law, an accused terror leader told CNN.
Bomb attacks and other strategies are possible, according to Abu Dujana, who police call the most dangerous terror suspect they have ever dealt with. He is the military head of Jemaah Islamiyah, the Indonesian group linked to al Qaeda which has been blamed for the deaths of hundreds of Westerners and civilians.
"We will continue fighting and we may use other methods," he told CNN in a jailhouse interview days after being captured by Indonesian authorities.
Abu Dujana is accused of direct involvement in the Bali nightclub bombings of 2002 that killed more than 200 mostly Western tourists and subsequent attacks on the Australian Embassy and J.W. Marriott hotel, both in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
Bomb attacks and other strategies are possible, according to Abu Dujana, who police call the most dangerous terror suspect they have ever dealt with. He is the military head of Jemaah Islamiyah, the Indonesian group linked to al Qaeda which has been blamed for the deaths of hundreds of Westerners and civilians.
"We will continue fighting and we may use other methods," he told CNN in a jailhouse interview days after being captured by Indonesian authorities.
Abu Dujana is accused of direct involvement in the Bali nightclub bombings of 2002 that killed more than 200 mostly Western tourists and subsequent attacks on the Australian Embassy and J.W. Marriott hotel, both in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
6. Bali Bombers Set for Execution (Reuters - Oct 30, 2007)
Three Indonesian men convicted of the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings met with their families at Indonesia's top security Batu Prison ahead of their planned execution.
The two blasts on Bali's Kuta strip on October 12, 2002, one at Paddy's Bar, the other at the Sari Club, killed 202 including 88 Australians and 38 Indonesian citizens, and devastated the resort island's tourist industry.
The militants are in a high security prison off the southern coast of Java.
The two blasts on Bali's Kuta strip on October 12, 2002, one at Paddy's Bar, the other at the Sari Club, killed 202 including 88 Australians and 38 Indonesian citizens, and devastated the resort island's tourist industry.
The militants are in a high security prison off the southern coast of Java.
7. Abu Sayyaf Speak Out (Al Jazeera- Sept 17, 2007)
The Philippines's military has been engaged in long-running offensive against the Abu Sayyaf, a group responsible for numerous killings in the south of the Philippines. Al Jazeera' Marga Ortigas met former Abu Sayyaf fighters who are trying to distance themselves from the group's acitvities.
8. Hostages Released in the Philippines (NTDTV - Jun 18, 2008)
Islamic militants have released two Philippine journalists and their guide. They were held for more than a week on a remote southern island by the group.
9. Suicide attacks in Pakistan kill over 100 (CNN - Oct 18, 2007)
Two suicide bombs greet Benazir Bhutto as she makes her historic journey back to Pakistan after 8 years in exile. More than 100 people are dead, and 200 others wounded, making this the deadliest terrorist attack in Pakistan's history.
V. Review Points
Define and describe the following:
- Al-Qaeda
- Jemaah Islamiyah
- Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)
VI. Discussion Questions
- How do the authors differ in opinion on whether terrorism is on the rise in Asia? Cite the main points given by the authors.
- How will the upcoming 2008 US presidential elections affect the terror threat in Asia?
- How about Japan's upcoming elections? Which party will better address Asian terrorism? The incumbent Liberal Democratic Party (LDP - Jiminto) or opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ- Minshuto)?
