Comprehensive security and resilience in Southeast Asia : ASEAN's approach to terrorism and sea piracy

• Main Author: Emmers, Ralf
• Other Authors: S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
• Format: Working Paper
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology::Terrorism
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/90740; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/4389
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This paper explores how the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has sought since 9/11 and the Bali Bombings to tackle the threats of terrorism and sea piracy. It claims that ASEAN has applied its traditional approach to security, based on comprehensive security and the principle of resilience, when addressing these challenges. The association has been employed by individual members as a diplomatic avenue to define their position toward external actors, whereas internally, ASEAN has allowed its members freedom to pursue their individual security strategies. This paper is not optimistic as to ASEAN's role as a promoter of a collective strategy against terroism and sea piracy. Instead, it argues that individual strategies matter most when tackling these concerns. The response to terrorism and sea piracy in Southeast Asia has mostly occured at the national and sub-regional level through bilateral and trilateral cooperation. ASEAN has operated as an umbrella organization where multilatral consultation is meant to complement domestic and sub-regional efforts. This is not to say, however, that ASEAN has had no role to play against terrorism and sea piracy. Consultations at the ASEAN level have had some political significance. ASEAN has been committed rhetorically, has produced frameworks of action, as well as reached agreements with the great powers.