Social media and terrorism in the Asia Pacific

The emergence of an online environment and the social media platforms is supports has created a globally connected network that transcends traditional mechanisms of state-based authority. The decentralised nature of social media and its ability to disseminate content anonymously and to reach wide audiences has afforded violent extremist groups opportunities to further propaganda, recruitment, radicalisation, fundraising and operational planning. This paper examines three violent extremist-related groups operating in the Asia Pacific: one ‘classic’ terrorist - Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines; one a dissident political party - Jemaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh; and one a broad ethno-religious separatist movement - the Uyghurs in China. Each case study explores how the proactive adoption of social media affords opportunities and risks on the ability of the group to maximise their reach, impact, and effect.