Publication

This commentary discusses the increasing number of recruits from Indonesia and Malaysia who are joining the co-called Islamic State (IS) and the implications of this development for security in Southeast Asia. In particular, the author highlights four areas of concern created by these recruits. These include 1) that the Malaysian and Indonesian jihadists could establish relations with one another that could provide a basis for cross-border cooperation among the upon their return; 2) that the narrative of IS propaganda is creating a more resilient threat than previous forms of religious extremism; 3) that domestic issues may create significant problems for counterterrorism strategy and efforts to combat IS in Indonesia and Malaysia; and 4) the threat posed by IS propaganda over the Internet.