The war on terror may have seemed to be something that was taking place farther away in the Middle East, but the reality has now hit much closer to home and a higher frequency of incidents can be expected, said Simon Tay, chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs.
Challenges lie ahead for governments to reassure investors that the region’s promise of becoming a global engine will not be dimmed by acts of terror, he said.
“The latter will not be an easy task, especially in today’s bearish markets due to the global commodities slump and the slowdown in the Chinese economy,” said the veteran security analyst.
It will become increasingly imperative for governments in Southeast Asia, said Mr Tay, to ensure that their economies remain stable, with equitable distribution of resources, and that there are enough job opportunities for their youth.
“Otherwise, Southeast Asia risks becoming a region that supplies terrorist cells with young recruits or a hotbed of terror activities,” he cautioned.
Full Article: After Jakarta, Asean must tackle the roots of radicalisation [Bangkok Post, 25 Jan 2015]
Photo Credit: Thierry Ehrmann, CC BY 2.0
