Geise, Torsten

Abstract
Following “9/11,” concerns regarding the possibility of large-scale terrorist operations against targets in the maritime environment gained an ever greater importance in international debates. Based on the assumption that especially Southeast Asia may be considered as highly vulnerable against acts of maritime terrorism, this study discusses possible targets & their related scenarios, intent & capabilities of the major terrorist groups operating within the region, & measures taken to reduce as well as problems in dealing with the potential of terrorists exploiting the region’s weak maritime security situation for their — not least in terms of the global economy — probably highly destabilizing ends. Implicitly asking “How real is the threat?,” it stresses that there are numerous reasons for being alarmed, & that (trans)regional countermeasures taken so far may in the longer run not lead to any form of substantial improvement, as long as the underlying problems & deficits characterizing the region are not effectively addressed.