Improving Southeast Asian Security Within the ASEAN Framework -- Insurgencies and Counterinsurgencies

<p>Since the end of the Cold War changing global dynamics have brought about important political social and economic developments to Southeast Asia. Foreign relations between the Southeast Asian states have also improved reducing intra-regional tensions to the degree where inter-state armed conflicts are no longer likely. The domestic security situation of some Southeast Asian nations however remain precarious as local insurgencies resulting from political disagreements ideological divergences and socio-economic gaps continue to plague these states. Terrorism a second-order effect of these conflicts has also become a security concern as regional terrorist groups such as the Jemaah Islamiah and the Abu Sayyaf Group have been working with global jihadist organizations to establish an ideological presence within these troubled states. If unchecked these threats could potentially disrupt the peace in Southeast Asia and de-stabilize the region. This thesis will analyze Southeast Asia's ongoing insurgencies as well as its counterinsurgency efforts. It will examine whether the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) under the constraints imposed by its organizational principles is able to play a more significant role than it has thus far in improving regional security by addressing the problem of insurgencies within its member states.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>