EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

Transnational Violence and Seams of Lawlessness

(19-21 February 2002)

 

Introduction

 

Transnational violence is one of the most serious challenges to the future economic and social progress of the Asia-Pacific region.  Certain parts of the Asia-Pacific region are steadily descending into a state that could be described as ‘criminal anarchy.’   Other countries, even if they enjoy more stable governance, are hobbled by economic constraints that effectively limit their ability to exert an effective military or law enforcement response to these challenges.

 

To examine the various transnational threats facing the Asia-Pacific region, the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies held a conference titled “Transnational Violence and Seams of Lawlessness in the Asia-Pacific: Implications for Global Terrorism.”   Among the major conclusions of this conference: