As the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, suspected terrorist attacks have recently occurred in multiple locations across the Middle East and the West. The US and several European countries have raised their alert levels and are strengthening their response to terrorism threats. Interviewed scholars noted that the threat of terrorism in Southeast Asia is also on the rise, with particular concern over the risk of “lone wolf” attacks.
Since the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict, there have been suspected terrorist incidents in various places. On Wednesday (11th), Norwegian police announced the arrest of three Iraqi-Norwegians, who are suspected of launching a bombing attack on the US Embassy in Norway last weekend. Europol has also issued a warning that the Middle East conflict is having a “direct impact” on EU security, including a rise in extremist violence and cyber-attack threats.
Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict may also trigger extreme sentiments such as anti-Americanism, anti-Israel sentiment, and Islamophobia. European security agencies have stepped up protection for Jewish communities. Data shows that in the week after the Iran war broke out, global anti-Semitic incidents surged by 34%. Related US studies have also found a notable increase in hate speech targeting American Muslims on social media.
Shukri, a visiting senior fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, pointed out that the Middle East conflict does increase the risk of global terrorist attacks, especially in terms of online propaganda, self-radicalization, and imitation of violent acts.
However, she analyzed that Iran is a Shia-majority country and has limited influence on the predominantly Sunni extremist ideologies in Southeast Asia. Still, she warned that the Iran war could be exploited by local Sunni extremist groups to recruit members and mobilize support.
Scholars generally believe that large-scale, organized terrorist attacks in Southeast Asia have significantly decreased in recent years, mainly thanks to the ongoing crackdowns in Indonesia and the Philippines against extremist groups, including Jemaah Islamiyah, the “JAD” group loyal to ISIS, and the Abu Sayyaf group.
Data shows that Indonesia has not experienced any terrorist attacks in the past three years, and the number of terrorism suspects arrested has fallen for three consecutive years, with police arresting only 51 suspects last year.
Nevertheless, scholars indicate that although extremist organizations have been weakened in the region, they have not completely disappeared. Shukri said that while Jemaah Islamiyah in Indonesia has announced its dissolution, splinter factions and radicalized individuals still exist, serving as potential risk sources. In Malaysia, the main threat comes from groups linked to ISIS, radicalized youths, and certain segments of the immigrant population.
Professor Danny Quah, Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, noted that Southeast Asian countries must be especially vigilant about lone wolf extremism. He cautioned that countries should not let their guard down just because the frequency of terrorist attacks has diminished.
Scholars also observed that in the eyes of some extremists, Singapore’s close ties with Western countries and its status as a global economic hub make it a symbolically valuable target. However, the Singapore government’s long-standing rigorous security monitoring and preventive measures have, to a certain extent, reduced the related risks.
Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict may also trigger extreme sentiments such as anti-Americanism, anti-Israel sentiment, and Islamophobia. European security agencies have stepped up protection for Jewish communities. Data shows that in the week after the Iran war broke out, global anti-Semitic incidents surged by 34%. Related US studies have also found a notable increase in hate speech targeting American Muslims on social media.
Shukri, a visiting senior fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, pointed out that the Middle East conflict does increase the risk of global terrorist attacks, especially in terms of online propaganda, self-radicalization, and imitation of violent acts.
However, she analyzed that Iran is a Shia-majority country and has limited influence on the predominantly Sunni extremist ideologies in Southeast Asia. Still, she warned that the Iran war could be exploited by local Sunni extremist groups to recruit members and mobilize support.
Scholars generally believe that large-scale, organized terrorist attacks in Southeast Asia have significantly decreased in recent years, mainly thanks to the ongoing crackdowns in Indonesia and the Philippines against extremist groups, including Jemaah Islamiyah, the “JAD” group loyal to ISIS, and the Abu Sayyaf group.
Data shows that Indonesia has not experienced any terrorist attacks in the past three years, and the number of terrorism suspects arrested has fallen for three consecutive years, with police arresting only 51 suspects last year.
Nevertheless, scholars indicate that although extremist organizations have been weakened in the region, they have not completely disappeared. Shukri said that while Jemaah Islamiyah in Indonesia has announced its dissolution, splinter factions and radicalized individuals still exist, serving as potential risk sources. In Malaysia, the main threat comes from groups linked to ISIS, radicalized youths, and certain segments of the immigrant population.
Professor Danny Quah, Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, noted that Southeast Asian countries must be especially vigilant about lone wolf extremism. He cautioned that countries should not let their guard down just because the frequency of terrorist attacks has diminished.
Scholars also observed that in the eyes of some extremists, Singapore’s close ties with Western countries and its status as a global economic hub make it a symbolically valuable target. However, the Singapore government’s long-standing rigorous security monitoring and preventive measures have, to a certain extent, reduced the related risks.