Countering Daesh Extremism: European and Asian Responses Countering Daesh Extremism: European And
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02/2016 PANORAMA INSIGHTS INTO ASIAN AND EUROPEAN AFFAIRS COUNTERING DAESH EXTREMISM EUROPEAN AND ASIAN RESPONSES K o n r a d A d e n a u e r S t i f t u n g Panorama InsIghts Into asIan and euroPean affaIrs Countering daesh extremism Panorama: Insights into Asian and European Affairs is a series of occasional papers published by the Konrad- Adenauer-Stiftung’s “Regional Programme Political Dialogue Asia and the Pacific/Singapore”. This is a special edition published in collaboration with the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University. © 2016 Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Singapore Editors: Dr. Beatrice Gorawantschy, Professor Rohan Gunaratna, Megha Sarmah, Patrick Rueppel Publishers: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Ltd 36 Bukit Pasoh Road Singapore 089848 Registration Number: 201228783N Tel: (65) 6603-6160 Tel: (65) 6227-8343 Email: [email protected] Website: www.kas.de/singapore International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Nanyang Technological University, Block S4, Level B4 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying or recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission from the publisher. Manuscript offers, review copies, exchange journals, and requests for subscription are to be sent to the editors. The responsibility for facts and opinions in this publication rests exclusively with the authors and their interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views or the policy of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University. Cover photographs clockwise from top left © Kin Cheung / AP Photo © Atef Safadi / DPA © Danil Melekhin / iStock © Charles Platiau / Reuters © Rajanish Kakade / AP Photo Design, Layout and Typeset: Select Books Pte Ltd 65A, Jalan Tenteram #02-06, St Michael’s Industrial Estate Singapore 328958 Website: www.selectbooks.com.sg Panorama InsIghts Into asIan and euroPean affaIrs Countering daesh extremism european and asian responses Contents Preface 7 The Islamic State’s Eastward Expansion 9 Rohan Gunaratna Countering Daesh Extremism in South Asia 27 Ajai Sahni Challenges and Prospects for Daesh in Afghanistan and Its Relations with the Taliban 43 Hekmatullah Azamy Evolving Wave of Terrorism and Emergence of Daesh in Pakistan 61 Khuram Iqbal Daesh Threat in Bangladesh: An Overview 73 Iftekharul Bashar Daesh and the Alchemy of Strategy: Southeast Asia Threat and Responses by the Region and ASEAN 83 Jolene Jerard Daesh in Europe and Southeast Asia: An Indonesian Perspective 95 Badrus Sholeh Countering the Threats of Daesh in Malaysia 105 Ahmad El-Muhammady The Influence of Daesh in the Philippines 123 Vanessa Panes Singapore’s Approach to Counter Terrorism and Extremism 139 Stefanie Kam The EU and ASEAN Approaches in Fighting Terrorism: Collaboration or Cooperation? 153 Céline C. Cocq Coordinated Counter Terrorism Responses by the European Union 165 Guenther Sablattnig Daesh-Linked Activities and Motivations in Belgium 177 Didier Leroy Implications of the Global Jihad in France 189 Yves Trotignon Daesh Radicalization and Responses in Germany 205 Marwan Abou-Taam Prevention Strategies to Counter Daesh Extremism in the United Kingdom 221 Anthony Glees Turkey’s Struggle Against the Foreign Terrorist Fighters of Daesh 239 Haldun Yalçınkaya Australia’s Experience of Daesh-Linked and Directed Extremism 253 Jacinta Carroll Preface Since June 2014, eliminating the global threat of Daesh has been a concern throughout the world. As Daesh continues to expand its presence to more countries and claims responsibility for an increased number of attacks, the need for a shared counter- extremism strategy that includes significant internal and international cooperation, coupled with confidence-building tools, has become more apparent. The measures to be implemented must also include robust stabilization and combine diplomatic, politi- cal, security, and information-sharing activities. Daesh’s approach of recruiting geographically dispersed fighters along with incit- ing lone-wolf attacks has become a pressing concern for European and Asian countries. As the nexus of extremism and terrorism is constantly evolving, counter-extremism strategies should focus on the root causes by countering Daesh’s methods as well as the factors that contribute to Daesh’s growth. The battle against Daesh recruitment can only be won by addressing local grievances along with engaging religious and com- munity leaders. Since young people in particular are being recruited by Daesh, youth empowerment and community engagement programmes can play a big role in counter- ing the propaganda of Daesh. Media literacy and religious literacy programmes need to be organized and counter-extremism policies must take into account the latest de- velopments in imagery and technology. In addition, the facilitation networks of foreign terrorist fighters need to be interdicted. In order to meet the multifaceted challenge of Daesh extremism, a multilayered and cooperative approach is required, ranging from legally binding instruments and intel- ligence sharing to multilateral institutions and regional frameworks. De-radicalization, rehabilitation, and re-integration programmes should be an important part of the coun- ter-extremism strategy. It must be stressed that a “one size fits all” approach will not be effective, and that any rehabilitation programme must be tailored to the individual country’s conditions and cultures. There is no silver bullet to defeat every extremist group, but through nesting their efforts within a global framework rather than con- ducting them as an independent undertaking, countries can increase their chances of tackling this threat successfully. Countries in Asia and Europe have not only committed to the global coalition in addressing the threat of Daesh but are also taking numerous steps to counter its am- bition and claims to legitimacy. Europe has seen various attacks in Paris, Nice and Brussels over the past year. Daesh has also made gradual inroads into Asia by found- ing a Malay-speaking combat unit in Syria, affiliating with local extremist groups, re-activating old Al-Qaeda-linked networks and carrying out attacks in countries like Preface Indonesia and Bangladesh. It has therefore become imperative to bring together experts from both regions to discuss these commonly faced challenges and to find a joint strat- 7 egy to counter Daesh extremism. This issue of Panorama: Insights into Asian and European Affairs will analyse recent developments concerning Daesh extremism and their implications on societies in Asia and Europe. The papers share and analyse current and possible future threats, identify the target groups vulnerable to extreme militant ideology and examine the vari- ous recruitment channels. The counter-measures and de-radicalization and rehabilitation efforts adopted by various governments have also been highlighted. Special attention was given to Daesh-linked activities in the respective countries, reactions by the local Muslim communities, and possible future developments as well as responses. In order to defeat Daesh’s efforts in seeking more innovative and unconventional means to spread extremism, we need to find common lines in strategy and policy and promote enhanced collaboration. With the policies and recommendations presented in this publication as well as inputs from our annual Asia-Europe Counter-Terrorism Dialogue, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University hope to contribute to fostering more cooperation between Asia and Europe to counter this global threat. Dr. Beatrice Gorawantschy Rohan Gunaratna, Ph.D. (St Andrews) Director Professor of Security Studies Political Dialogue Asia and the Pacific Head, International Centre for Political Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Violence and Terrorism Research S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Countering Daesh Extremism: European and Asian Responses Countering Daesh Extremism: European and 8 The Islamic State’s Eastward Expansion Rohan Gunaratna The terrorist attack in Jakarta on January 14, 2016, that killed eight people is just the beginning—part of the Islamic State’s (IS) strategy to create chaos and expand into Southeast Asia, complementing its goal of global expan sion. Although the arrests in the lead-up to Christmas—including the arrest of Arif Hidayatullah (alias Abu Muzab) and his cell in December 2015—and the prompt response to the attack by the Jakarta Police Chief, General Dr. Tito Kar navian, prevented a “concert” the terrorists had vowed to conduct, the threat has not diminished.1 In fact, the global expansion of IS will be marked by its declara tion of far-flung wilayāt (sometimes written as wilayat, wilaa yah or wilayah), also known as governorates, presenting an emerging challenge for both national and regional governments. IS declared 34 wilayah in eleven countries after pledges of support from local groups and individuals who take their oath of allegiance