Violent extremism and terrorism have been a top priority of governments in Asia and Europe for many years. Terrorist cells in both regions have posed a severe threat to domestic security, even before the emergence of Daesh. Thus, countries in both regions have long-standing and diverse experiences in combatting terrorism and developed innovative responses.

With the dramatic increase of terror attacks and citizens of Asian as well as European countries joining Daesh – may it be in Syria or in the form of small cells in their respective home countries -, the need for cooperation and coordination in all dimensions of counter-terrorism efforts has become more imperative. The responses have to be as manifold and comprehensive as the strategies of the extremists. They have to include religious rehabilitation, after-care programmes, security and surveillance measures, education, detention, social integration, sharing of intelligence data, trainings for both law enforcement units but also the general public on how to behave during an attack.

With our activities, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s Regional Programme Political Dialogue Asia and the Pacific aims to provide platforms and fora which shall enable the key stakeholders to foster their exchange and develop tools as well as joint initiatives, ultimately resulting in a stronger cooperation between Asia and Europe to counter this global threat.

EVENTS AND DIALOGUE FORA

• KAS-ICPVTR Asia-Europe Counter-Terrorism Dialogue 2017 Berlin, 17 to 19 May 2017

• ASPI-KAS Australia-Europe Counter-Terrorism Dialogue 2016 Canberra, 3 and 4 November 2016

• KAS-ICPVTR Asia-Europe Counter-Terrorism Dialogue 2016 Singapore, 31 October and 1 November 2016

• ASPI-KAS Australia-Europe Counter-Terrorism Dialogue 2015 Canberra, 19-21 October 2015

• Europe-Asia Security Cooperation on Counter-Terrorism Singapore, 5 and 6 March 2015

PUBLICATIONS

Countering Daesh Extremism - European and Asian Responses

This special issue of Panorama: Insights into Asian and European Affairs, is published in collaboration with The International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore. This issue analyzes recent developments concerning Daesh extremism and their implications on societies in Asia and Europe.

Policy Paper No. 4 “Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Asia and Europe”

In this policy briefing, Patrick Rueppel (Senior Program Manager for Foreign and Security Policy, Geopolitics) discusses recent developments concerning terrorism and violent extremism in Asia and Europe. Terrorist cells posed a severe threat to home security, even before the emergence of Daesh. However, as a consequence of Asian and European citizens joining Daesh, terrorists have been able to establish networks among fighters from both regions. It has thus become imperative that governments from Asia and Europe enhance their collaboration and coordination in all dimensions of counter-terrorism efforts. The policy paper gives recommendations for the way forward.

From the Desert to World Cities - The New Terrorism

In this issue of Panorama: Insights into Asian and European Affairs, we have asked authors from various countries to shed light on the factors that have contributed to the recent development in the Middle East and to discuss the implications of terrorism on societies in Asia and Europe. Special attention was given to the recruitment of young people, the attractiveness of terrorist groups to the youth, the role of religion and social media, as well as preventive de-radicalization measures.