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Forging Peace in Southeast Asia

Insurgencies, Peace Processes, and Reconciliation

Zachary Abuza

Until recently, Southeast Asia was plagued by separatist insurgencies that had simmered, seemingly intractable, for several decades. But peace processes in Indonesia and the Philippines have been some of the most innovative and successful in the world—a model and counterpoint for Thailand and other protracted conflicts.

Since the 1970s, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand have wrestled with secessionist groups. Each government entered into peace talks then, though without any sincerity or willingness to make significant concessions. By the turn of the millennium, the governments of Indonesia and the Philippines began to reevaluate their strategies while insurgents came to the conclusion that the changed global environment and waning capabilities made victory unlikely. Further, the impact of the 2004 tsunami brought not only another impetus, but also the involvement of the international donor community and peace processes began in both countries where they were successfully implemented. Successful devolution of political and economic powers that protected the cultural rights of the minority population, as well as substantial wealth sharing brought an end to these conflicts. Such successful peace building efforts serve as both a model and counterpoint for Thailand.

Each of the case studies begins with a history of the insurgency, an analysis of the insurgent group’s organization, operations, tactics, and capabilities before delving into the history of the peace processes and analyzing the factors that made them successful. Nothing is harder than a peace process, but the lessons of Southeast Asia show that it is made possible through such factors as a national devaluation of power, bold and creative statesmanship, the successful neutralization of spoilers, and the role of neutral third party facilitators. These cases provide important lessons for the fields of counterinsurgency and peace making.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 238 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼

978-1-4422-5755-9 • Hardback • September 2016 • $109.00 • (£84.00)

978-1-4422-5756-6 • Paperback • September 2016 • $48.00 • (£37.00)

978-1-4422-5757-3 • eBook • September 2016 • $45.50 • (£35.00)

Series: Peace and Security in the 21st Century

Subjects: Political Science / Peace, Political Science / International Relations / Diplomacy, Political Science / Security (National & International), Political Science / World / Asian

Courses: Political Science; International Relations; Security, Political Science; International Relations; Politics of Peace & Conflict, Political Science; Security; International Security, Political Science; International Relations; Foreign Policy; Asian, Sociology; Globalization & Social Change; Social Movements

Forging Peace in Southeast Asia

Insurgencies, Peace Processes, and Reconciliation

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Until recently, Southeast Asia was plagued by separatist insurgencies that had simmered, seemingly intractable, for several decades. But peace processes in Indonesia and the Philippines have been some of the most innovative and successful in the world—a model and counterpoint for Thailand and other protracted conflicts.

Since the 1970s, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand have wrestled with secessionist groups. Each government entered into peace talks then, though without any sincerity or willingness to make significant concessions. By the turn of the millennium, the governments of Indonesia and the Philippines began to reevaluate their strategies while insurgents came to the conclusion that the changed global environment and waning capabilities made victory unlikely. Further, the impact of the 2004 tsunami brought not only another impetus, but also the involvement of the international donor community and peace processes began in both countries where they were successfully implemented. Successful devolution of political and economic powers that protected the cultural rights of the minority population, as well as substantial wealth sharing brought an end to these conflicts. Such successful peace building efforts serve as both a model and counterpoint for Thailand.

Each of the case studies begins with a history of the insurgency, an analysis of the insurgent group’s organization, operations, tactics, and capabilities before delving into the history of the peace processes and analyzing the factors that made them successful. Nothing is harder than a peace process, but the lessons of Southeast Asia show that it is made possible through such factors as a national devaluation of power, bold and creative statesmanship, the successful neutralization of spoilers, and the role of neutral third party facilitators. These cases provide important lessons for the fields of counterinsurgency and peace making.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 238 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼

978-1-4422-5755-9 • Hardback • September 2016 • $109.00 • (£84.00)

978-1-4422-5756-6 • Paperback • September 2016 • $48.00 • (£37.00)

978-1-4422-5757-3 • eBook • September 2016 • $45.50 • (£35.00)

Series: Peace and Security in the 21st Century

Subjects: Political Science / Peace, Political Science / International Relations / Diplomacy, Political Science / Security (National & International), Political Science / World / Asian

Courses: Political Science; International Relations; Security, Political Science; International Relations; Politics of Peace & Conflict, Political Science; Security; International Security, Political Science; International Relations; Foreign Policy; Asian, Sociology; Globalization & Social Change; Social Movements

Author

Zachary Abuza is a Professor of National Security Strategy at the National War College in Washington, DC.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Case Study 1: The Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM)
Chapter 3: Case Study 2: The Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Chapter 4: Case Study 3: The Barisan Revolusi Nasional, PULO and other Malay Militant Groups
Chapter 5: Conclusion
Index
About the Author

Reviews

Zachary Abuza's insightful new book will be an essential source for understanding - and possibly resolving - Southeast Asia's deadliest insurgencies.
— Joshua Kurlantzick, Senior Fellow for Southeast Asia, Council on Foreign Relations

Features

• Comparative study of peace processes using significant case studies to illustrate innovative peace-building efforts and their results.
• Looks at what factors and conditions accounted for the success or failure of the peace negotiations.
• Multidisciplinary work that will support courses both in the fields of counterinsurgency and peace building.

Forging Peace in Southeast Asia

Insurgencies, Peace Processes, and Reconciliation

Zachary Abuza

Forging Peace in Southeast Asia

Insurgencies, Peace Processes, and Reconciliation

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