Assessing the Role of South and Southeast Asian Regional Organizations in Confronting Maritime Terrorism: Case Study of SAARC, BIMSTEC & ASEAN

Waters of the South and Southeast Asia have long been some of the most important hotspots for various sea-based organized crimes. As a result of the continuously rising threat of terrorism and its spread all around the world, along with the access of terrorist groups to more efficient and modern military equipments, the danger of terrorism has become more imminent and widespread, taking many forms and finding its way to the seas. Maritime terrorism, especially within regions where other maritime crimes are prevalent, is considered, because of the probable links between the offenders, as one of the most serious threats against peace and security at seas. Considering the organized nature of these crimes, effective suppression of them is only possible through collective and cooprative initiatives. Thus, regional organizations have an undeniably important role in combating maritime terrorism. This article, using the descriptive-analytical method, aims to assess the performance and function of a selected number of regional organizations active within South and Southeast Asia and to examine their achievements and shortcomings, as well as their challenges, in combating maritime terrorism. This article concludes that the activities of these organizations have been essential but insufficient, and the most important challenge ahead is lack of collective strategies at the regional level.