Security Perspectives of the Malay Archipelago: Security Linkages in the Second Front in the War on Terrorism

by Andrew T.H. Tan

Overview

The Malay Archipelago - namely Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines - has recently risen in prominence as the 'second front' in the war on terrorism. This study argues that the Malay Archipelago constitutes a distinct sub-regional security complex within Southeast Asia due to the existence of patterns of amity and enmity, as well as transnational terrorism linkages.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781843769972
Publisher:	Edward Elgar Publishing
Publication date:	12/27/2004
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Andrew T.H. Tan, Non-Resident Principal Fellow, Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs, New Zealand

Table of Contents

Contents: Preface 1. Introduction – The Malay Archipelago Security Complex 2. The Malay Archipelago – Does it Matter? 3. Singapore’s Security Perspectives 4. Brunei’s Security Perspectives 5. Malaysia’s Security Perspectives 6. Indonesia’s Security Perspectives 7. Philippines’ Security Perspectives 8. Conclusion Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

'Using unique insights gained from extensive research, Andrew Tan, the respected Southeast Asianist, has written a timely book on the Malay archipelago security complex. In Security Perspectives of the Malay Archipelago, Andrew Tan examines the post-9/11 security architecture in Southeast Asia, designated the second front in the war against terrorism. Mapping the evolution of security relations between the Malay archipelago states, he focuses on both conventional and unconventional threats. Professor Tan's book is a must read for those concerned with the future of Southeast Asia.'

Rohan Gunaratna

'A significant and compendious book, reminding us of the need to assess the struggle against terrorism in terms of states, their character, their history, their internal problems and their relations with their regional neighbours.'

Nicholas Tarling

'The states inhabiting the Malay Archipelago, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore, face a bewildering array of security challenges. These countries vary enormously in size, and they are bound together by history and by a diverse array of ethnic and communal connections. Today, they face potential dangers from each other, from external powers, and from domestic extremists, and they have sought to address these threats partly through national preparedness and partly through multilateral cooperation. Using the useful concept of a regional security complex, Andrew Tan's clear and careful study illuminates the diverse perceptions of these different states and shows how the security of each one remains tightly linked to the conditions and actions of the others. His book is both a valuable survey of this important region and a major contribution to our understanding of regional security.'

Stephen M. Walt