First published in 2007. Political demands for autonomy and independence by radicalized ethnic groups have recently intensi?ed as a result of the globalization of the post-Cold War world. In addition to facing the challenges posed by democratization, development and social movements, governments everywhere are striving to manage and contain 'political Islam'. This is particularly true in Southeast Asia, where the violence and instability caused by Islamic radical groups have affected the consolidation of liberal democracy in the region. This volume examines the roles of the state and of civil society in three of the new democracies in Southeast Asia - the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia. Focussing on the way these democracies address the in-creased threat posed to their nation-building projects by political Islam, Islam and Violent Separatism makes an important contribution to the understanding of new security risks, terrorism, democratic consolidation and contemporary Southeast Asian politics.

Professor Ashok Swain is the Professor of Peace and Conflict Research, at Uppsala University, Sweden, where he also directs the university's Program of International Studies and coordinates the university's Southeast Asian Program. Professor Swain teaches on and researches into new challenges to global security; environmental politics; population migration issues; conflict and cooperation over resource sharing; democratic consolidation and security in Asia, and has written widely on these subjects. Professor Swain is the Coordinator for the Swedish Network of Peace, Conflict and Development Research, and has been a Visiting Researcher, Fellow and Professor at universities around the world.

Chapter 1 Violent Separatism in Southeast Asia: Old Conflicts, New Challenges, Ashok Swain; Chapter 2 Present Challenges to Conflict Resolution in Southern Thailand, Suwit Laohasiriwong, Ming Chee; Chapter 3 The Philippines: Challenges to Peacebuilding in the GRP-MILF Peace Process, Ayesah Uy Abubakar; Chapter 4 The Aceh Conflict and the Roles of Civil Society, Kamarulzaman Askandar; Chapter 5 Terror and Insurgency in the New Democracies of Southeast Asia, Jonathan Hall;