February Event: ISIS and Radicalisation in Indonesia

At our first event for 2017, Dr Ian Chalmers will discuss ISIS and radicalisation in Indonesia.  

There is growing concern amongst observers about the impact that the return of Indonesian militants fighting in Syria and Iraq will have on local communities. It has been estimated that over 400 Indonesians have participated directly in that conflict, and that there are over 1,000 active local supporters of ISIS (Daesh, Islamic State). As ISIS’s fortunes in the Middle East continue to wane, many fear that its global struggle will be ‘brought home’ by returning jihadists. The return of dozens of experienced fighters from the Afghan conflict in the 1990s lay the basis for the militant actions that took place in the 2000s.  Could the return of perhaps an even larger number of militants from the Syria-Iraq conflict lead to a more serious escalation of militancy? Do these jihadists have the local support that would make this likely? This presentation will assess the likelihood that local militants will adopt the ‘ISIS model’ of globalised struggle, describing both the strengths and limitations of government policies aimed at limiting its appeal.   

Dr Chalmers has researched and taught on the societies, politics and cultures of Southeast Asia for more than twenty years.  He has conducted research and published on a wide range of topics, including the political economy of development, the political role of NGOs, Islam in Southeast Asia, ethnic politics, the religions of Borneo, and the resurgence of Islam in Indonesia.  Since 2015,  Dr Chalmers has been an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of Western Australia where he has been carrying out a study into the life histories of Indonesian jihadists.

For more information about Dr Ian Chalmers click here 

Time: Light refreshments served from 6pm for a 6:30pm start
Place: St Catherine's College, opposite the University of Western Australia. Parking is most easily found at the rear of the college on Park Road.
Price: $5 for members, $15 for guest and non-members. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Members and guests are invited to join the speaker for dinner afterwards at the Chinese Village Restaurant on Broadway. $30 per person including beverages. RSVPs taken on the night.