The disbanding of Jemaah Islamiyah: flash in the pan or a moment of real change?

Abstract

This short analysis argues that the dissolution of Jemaah Islamiyah must be understood in the context of the announcement itself and the wider context of Islamist politics in Indonesia. Indonesia’s Islamist space, whether violent or non-violent, has always been fragmented and adaptable, and in that sense, this announcement fits into a broader historical pattern. Furthermore, it argues that while significant at an organisational level, Indonesia’s violent Islamist space has fragmented and consequently JI’s decision to disband is unlikely to dramatically shape the trajectory of Islamist violence in the country.