This study researched the many contributing factors for Muslim radicalization and assessed the likelihood of Muslims in Southeast Asia traveling to join transnational terrorist groups, such as ISIS. A thorough literature review identified several factors as contributing to radicalization and terrorism. These are political corruption, poverty and economic disparity, information technology and social media, and psychological and sociological factors. These were analytically reviewed and compared against three sample countries in Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Each country was assessed for their individual levels of political corruption, poverty, and effectiveness in countering radicalization and combating terrorism. The research revealed that Indonesia and Malaysia have relatively low levels of political corruption and stable economies with lower levels of poverty. These conditions helped create a stable environment that hinders radicalization. The Philippines also showed progress, however, they struggled with higher levels of corruption and poverty, thus creating conditions for radicalization to increase. Overall, Southeast Asia enjoys stable governments and growing economies with lower levels of poverty. Therefore, fewer factors exist which would incline their Muslim populations to radicalize and travel to join transnational terrorist groups.

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