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START researcher appears on panel on violent extremism in Southeast Asia

START Geospatial Research Unit (GRU) Researcher Samuel D. Henkin participated in a RESOLVE Network virtual panel on “Conflict and Violent Extremism in Southeast Asia: Examining Trends in Malaysia and the Philippines,” with the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) this month.

The panel was a part of the RESOLVE Network’s sixth annual Global Forum Series, which brings together leading experts and researchers for conversations on evolving trends and dynamics in the violent extremist landscape.

RESOLVE Network Executive Director Alastair Reed and USIP Southeast Asia Senior Expert Brian Harding provided opening remarks, with panelists including Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy President Amina Rasul-Bernardo and S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Centre of Excellence for National Security Research Fellow Joseph Franco. The panel was moderated by George Washington University Program on Extremism Senior Research Fellow Haroro Ingram.

The panel focused on recent trends related to regional and local violent extremism and conflict in Southeast Asia, and particularly in Malaysia and the Philippines, to explore historical ties, ongoing developments, cross-border dynamics and their implications for the understanding of current and future manifestations of violent extremism and conflict in the region. 

Over the past few years, terrorist activity has declined in Southeast Asia, including in both Malaysia and the Philippines. However, despite this decline, many of the same dynamics that have given rise to terrorism and violent extremism in the past remain the same. The panel explored what this means for the evolution of violent extremism and conflict in Southeast Asia.

To view a recording of the panel, please visit this link.