Islamic State threat looms over security in Indonesia

Subject

Islamic State threat.

Significance

Over the last year, Islamic State group (ISG) has expanded its presence in Indonesia. The government estimates that at least 56 Indonesians joined ISG in Iraq and Syria in mid-2014 -- a figure that may have reached 500 by end-2014. Of these, at least 200 are estimated to have returned, with some believed to be planning attacks in Indonesia. Despite the somewhat equivocal stance of national and local authorities on secularism, the threat posed by ISG to security is taken seriously.

Impacts

• Social media and legitimate religious networks are the top two avenues for ISG recruitment in Indonesia and the broader region.
• Financial institutions, state buildings and tourist destinations are likely targets for terrorist attacks.
• Inter-regional intelligence cooperation on tackling ISG networks is likely to intensify.
• South-east Asian countries will seek greater US counterterrorism support.
• Civil society calls for a clearer state position on secularism will intensify, but they may go unheeded.