Yuen Foong KhongProfessor of International Relations
"An exquisitely written book that combines psychology and biography to explain what the Bali bombers tick. This innovative work is essential reading for students, scholars, and policymakers interested in grappling with the radicalization process that turns ordinary individuals into murderous terrorists."
Lord House of LordS the Upper Chamber of the Briti Alderdice
"It is not just the terrorist groups who fight with each other and with society. Those who study them also sometimes become partisan and fundamentalist in their approach. Kumar Ramakrishna does not fall into this trap. . . . He certainly makes a very useful addition to the world literature on the subject, and not just in regard to the motivations of the Al Qaeda-linked Indonesian Jemaah Islamiyah militants responsible for the Bali bombings. His ideas have implications which need to be explored with other Islamist and non-Islamist terror groups to see whether they can be confirmed and generalized. As important, is the way that he keeps a human perspective on people who have done very inhuman things – a sign of a civilized and thoughtful man."
LordHouse of Lords the Upper Chamber of the Britis Alderdice
"It is not just the terrorist groups who fight with each other and with society. Those who study them also sometimes become partisan and fundamentalist in their approach. Kumar Ramakrishna does not fall into this trap. . . . He certainly makes a very useful addition to the world literature on the subject, and not just in regard to the motivations of the Al Qaeda-linked Indonesian Jemaah Islamiyah militants responsible for the Bali bombings. His ideas have implications which need to be explored with other Islamist and non-Islamist terror groups to see whether they can be confirmed and generalized. As important, is the way that he keeps a human perspective on people who have done very inhuman things – a sign of a civilized and thoughtful man."
Mark WoodwardAssociate Professor of Religious StudiesCenter for the Study of Religion and Conflict
"This is an important and extremely timely book. Kumar Ramakrishna explores the ideological background of the Indonesian radical Islamist organization Jemmah Islamiyah (JI) that planned and carried out the Bali Bombings of 2002 and other terrorist attacks in Indonesia. In addition to explore the historical and ideological background of JI Ramakrishna examines the cultural and psychological factors that lead some young Indonesians to embrace first radical ideologies and ultimately violence. He identifies Existential Identity Anxiety as being the most important factor contributing to the rise of radical movements. Here he breaks new ground and provides valuable insights that will contribute to understanding the ways in which radical organizations grow in develop though out the Muslim world and in other societies characterized by rapid social change and the resultant Existential Identity Anxiety."
Ilan MizrahiHead of Israeli National Security Council (until Jan 2008)
"In this unique study, Ramakrishna penetrates deeply into the dynamics of the violent radicalization processes that led to the Bali terrorist attacks of October 2002. He shows how certain elements of universal human nature can often interact with sub-cultures of religious extremism and individual personality attributes, to generate violent ideologies and behaviors that can result in atrocities like Bali. Of special interest is his analysis of the question what makes a person become a suicide bomber? and the genuine variety of individualized paths toward violent radicalization in the Bali case. The discussion of practical ways to deal with the challenge of violent Muslim radicalization in Indonesia is also worth closer study."
Ilan Mizrahi Head of Israeli National Security Council (until Jan 2008)
"In this unique study, Ramakrishna penetrates deeply into the dynamics of the violent radicalization processes that led to the Bali terrorist attacks of October 2002. He shows how certain elements of universal human nature can often interact with sub-cultures of religious extremism and individual personality attributes, to generate violent ideologies and behaviors that can result in atrocities like Bali. Of special interest is his analysis of the question what makes a person become a suicide bomber? and the genuine variety of individualized paths toward violent radicalization in the Bali case. The discussion of practical ways to deal with the challenge of violent Muslim radicalization in Indonesia is also worth closer study."
Mark Woodward Associate Professor of Religious StudieS Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict
"This is an important and extremely timely book. Kumar Ramakrishna explores the ideological background of the Indonesian radical Islamist organization Jemmah Islamiyah (JI) that planned and carried out the Bali Bombings of 2002 and other terrorist attacks in Indonesia. In addition to explore the historical and ideological background of JI Ramakrishna examines the cultural and psychological factors that lead some young Indonesians to embrace first radical ideologies and ultimately violence. He identifies Existential Identity Anxiety as being the most important factor contributing to the rise of radical movements. Here he breaks new ground and provides valuable insights that will contribute to understanding the ways in which radical organizations grow in develop though out the Muslim world and in other societies characterized by rapid social change and the resultant Existential Identity Anxiety."
LordHouse of LordSthe Upper Chamber of the British Alderdice
"It is not just the terrorist groups who fight with each other and with society. Those who study them also sometimes become partisan and fundamentalist in their approach. Kumar Ramakrishna does not fall into this trap. . . . He certainly makes a very useful addition to the world literature on the subject, and not just in regard to the motivations of the Al Qaeda-linked Indonesian Jemaah Islamiyah militants responsible for the Bali bombings. His ideas have implications which need to be explored with other Islamist and non-Islamist terror groups to see whether they can be confirmed and generalized. As important, is the way that he keeps a human perspective on people who have done very inhuman things – a sign of a civilized and thoughtful man."
Yuen Foong Khong Professor of International Relations
"An exquisitely written book that combines psychology and biography to explain what the Bali bombers tick. This innovative work is essential reading for students, scholars, and policymakers interested in grappling with the radicalization process that turns ordinary individuals into murderous terrorists."
Mark WoodwardAssociate Professor of Religious StudieSCenter for the Study of Religion and Conflict
"This is an important and extremely timely book. Kumar Ramakrishna explores the ideological background of the Indonesian radical Islamist organization Jemmah Islamiyah (JI) that planned and carried out the Bali Bombings of 2002 and other terrorist attacks in Indonesia. In addition to explore the historical and ideological background of JI Ramakrishna examines the cultural and psychological factors that lead some young Indonesians to embrace first radical ideologies and ultimately violence. He identifies Existential Identity Anxiety as being the most important factor contributing to the rise of radical movements. Here he breaks new ground and provides valuable insights that will contribute to understanding the ways in which radical organizations grow in develop though out the Muslim world and in other societies characterized by rapid social change and the resultant Existential Identity Anxiety."
