Asia Not Left Out!

 Terrorists groups like Daesh or ISIS, Jemaah Islamiyah, Abu Sayyaf… remain dreadful even as countries device diverse strategies as well as resources to combat the ill.

It is a truism that terrorism is a common enemy wreaking havoc almost everywhere and on whomever it meets on its path. With globalisation which entails evolution of networks, trade and technology that connects people and places around the world, there are rather regrettable happenings like migration of terrorist fighters and transnational organised crime. It may have different names, modes of operation and sometimes desired goals, but the bottom line is that perpetrators seek to kill, steal and destroy. They derive pleasure when mankind is in pains.

Growing Threats
Various extremist groups used violent tactics during anti-colonial periods, and in the 1990s, following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. A further wave of the post-9/11 attacks killed hundreds, notably the 2002 Bali attacks. Other groups like Jemaah Islamiyah, Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have had an enduring violent presence in the region. In the face of these, Asia has not been left out in the struggle to annihilate the destroyer.

Mobilisation
Asian countries are striving to federate their efforts so as to knock off the common enemy. For example, countries of Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are accelerating their integration and development into an Economic Community while at the same time working tirelessly to keep pace with the complex growing security threats from dreadful terrorist groups like Daesh or Islamic State. Reports say the group has attracted radicalised youth from every corner of the earth, including Asia wherein over 1,500 youth are estimated to have travelled from far and near to fight for the so-called “Caliphate”.
Scholars, policymakers and activists are increasing anti-terror efforts under an umbrella, “winning hearts and minds.” Apologist of what pundits have qualified “restorative approach” hold the view that if radicalisation is central to terrorist recruitment, victory against the terror can only be achieved by disrupting narratives said to be central to the radicalisation.   

Existing Terrorism-combat Resources
Besides resources from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that are ta...