(Wiley) The authors argue that the next front in the fight against global terrorism is in Southeast Asia, home to one of the greatest concentrations of Muslims on Earth. They show that the region, known historically for its religious moderation, is currently experiencing a rise in Islamic fundamentalism and anti-Americanism fueled by the United States’ alliance with Israel, its invasion of Iraq, the Abu Ghraib torture scandal, and the Guantanamo Bay imprisonments. They claim that by reaching out to Southeast Asia, the Obama administration can reverse the negative effects of failed policies throughout the Islamic community. Ultimately, they argue for a “smart power” approach that combines diplomatic, economic, and personal outreach with the option of military force as a fallback. Bond was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986, and re-elected in 1992, 1998 and 2004. He currently serves as vice chairman of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee. Simons has been a foreign correspondent since 1967, reporting from Vietnam and throughout Southeast Asia.
