The 14 papers in this volume, given at the November 2001 Manila Conference of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, offer thoughtful Asian perspectives on post-September 11 political trends. These perspectives are not identical! The rationales and nature of terrorism, reaction to Washington-centric unilateral militarist rhetoric and attitudes, possible drifts to extreme nationalisms and fundamentalisms, and the roots of terrorism are among the subjects explored. Many issues are raised and faced with a starkness not seen in or on the world's major media players. The papers will provide constructive long term thinking as well as, undoubtedly, a good deal of controversy.