Jafar Umar Thalib

Even as the United States and other Western countries have criticized Jakarta for being complacent about its growing fundamentalist movement, Indonesian Vice President Hamzah Haz has gone out of his way to be seen publicly with Muslim firebrands like Laskar Jihad founder Jafar Umar Thalib and Abu Bakar Bashir, a cleric accused of leading a Southeast Asian terror ring.

Interview: 'Arrest Me First' 2008

Excerpts: NEWSWEEK: There are concerns about the recent meetings you've had with Jafar Umar Thalib and Abu Bakar Bashir.

Interview: 'Arrest Me First' 2008

Firebrands like Laskar Jihad founder Jafar Umar Thalib denounced America, and other militants launched recruitment drives for the Taliban.

Battle Of The Greens 2008

Muslim leader Jafar Umar Thalib, who heads a militant Islamic group called the Laskar Jihad, was detained by investigators looking into the death.

Indonesia: Why The World Should Worry 2007