Many years after 9/11 we are still struggling to categorize groups like Al Qaeda, home-grown cells and others that claim to be perpetrating and justifying terrorist acts under the banner of jihad. This book introduces the concept of 'neojihadism' as a new form of political organization, grand narrative, global subculture, counterculture and theological understanding, with an approach to political violence that is unique to the post-Cold War period. What these groups espouse and enact differs radically from fascism, totalitarianism, cults, jihad - and even jihadism.Neojihadism takes an interdisciplinary approach that fuses comparative politics, subcultural studies, Islamic studies, and terrorism studies. It cites examples from global, regional and nationally based terrorist groups to illustrate the diversity within the movement. Additionally, it draws from unique primary materials including recorded conversations of terrorists preparing for attacks, captured by electronic bugging devices and telephone wiretaps - to help to test the extent to which the term 'neojihadism' is a significant political and theological departure from previous Islamist group experiences. This fascinating book will be an invaluable resource for academics, and undergraduate and postgraduate students of terrorism studies, political science, international relations, comparative religion, and Islamic studies. Contents: 1. Introduction 2. On The Movement 3. On Jihadism 4. On The Movement's Global Dimensions: Bin Laden as a Political and Spiritual Commentator 5. On The Movement's Local Dimensions: The Politics and Theology of a Melbourne Cell Leader 6. On Attempting to Name the Enemy: Islamo-Fascism and Islamo-Totalitarianism(s) 7. On Fascism and Totalitarianism 8. Conclusion: On Neojihadism - A New Understanding of Terrorism and Extremism? Bibliography Index

The September 2001 terrorist attacks shocked the world. But what did they change? In this book Asia specialists from academe and policy think tanks assess the impact of 9/11 on the Asia Pacific. Drawing on unique fieldwork, access to a wide range of documents and inside expertise, the authors consider how old geo-strategic and cultural fault lines have been overlaid with new security threats from state and non-state actors. With chapters on specific countries and regions, defense policies, terrorism, and current and potential conflict zones, this collection critically examines the Asia Pacific region's post-9/11, as well as post-Iraq war, security architecture. The 14 contributors to this volume consider regional and global security in ways that go beyond the narrow focus on nation-states. They examine the 'hardware' of security (WMD, missiles, etc.) without excluding more fundamental issues of governance, identity, religion, economic collaboration, and the destabilizing impact of poverty and disease. The depth and breadth of research provides a wide perspective on security problems in the Asia Pacific. A timely and comprehensive examination of the effects and consequences of September 11 and the war in Iraq, Regional Security in the Asia Pacific is a critical book for political scientists, scholars and policymakers engaged in security and terrorism debates, as well as all those interested in the changing landscape of global relations.

The September 2001 terrorist attacks shocked the world. But what did they change? In this book Asia specialists from academe and policy think tanks assess the impact of 9/11 on the Asia Pacific. Drawing on unique fieldwork, access to a wide range of documents and inside expertise, the authors consider how old geo-strategic and cultural fault lines have been overlaid with new security threats from state and non-state actors. With chapters on specific countries and regions, defense policies, terrorism, and current and potential conflict zones, this collection critically examines the Asia Pacific region's post-9/11, as well as post-Iraq war, security architecture. The 14 contributors to this volume consider regional and global security in ways that go beyond the narrow focus on nation-states. They examine the 'hardware' of security (WMD, missiles, etc.) without excluding more fundamental issues of governance, identity, religion, economic collaboration, and the destabilizing impact of poverty and disease. The depth and breadth of research provides a wide perspective on security problems in the Asia Pacific. A timely and comprehensive examination of the effects and consequences of September 11 and the war in Iraq, Regional Security in the Asia Pacific is a critical book for political scientists, scholars and policymakers engaged in security and terrorism debates, as well as all those interested in the changing landscape of global relations.