The author contends that the concept of transnational crime and terrorism was relatively unknown to the Asia-Pacific region until the mid-1990s. As such, law enforcement issues regarding regional security were marginalized and cross-jurisdictional cooperation against regional criminal threats was a relatively low priority. Additionally, a decade ago, external, regional intervention to assist a disrupted state would not have been tolerated. The paper discusses in detail: 1) the historical ethnic, political, and social barriers to regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region; 2) the characteristics of transnational criminal and terrorist networks in the region; 3) the developing need for regional cooperation against terrorism and transnational crime; and 4) two significant regional cooperation initiatives, the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI – Operation Helpem Fren) and the Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forums Project Wok Wanataim. Regional states have achieved a greater understanding of transnational crime and terrorist issues threatening the Asia-Pacific region over the past six years and the author contends that genuine progress has been achieved in reaching agreement on how these threats should be addressed. This new found understanding has aided in facilitating cooperation on transnational crime and terrorism, especially in the areas where these activities overlap. References