The role of non-state actors (NSAs) in international relations should be connected to two major theories of IR: liberalism and constructivism. Both theories not only emphasize the importance of cooperation among states but also share a fundamental unit of analysis: human beings. Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) of Indonesia, the largest Islamic organization in the world with more than 50 million members, should be recognized as a non-state actor (NSA) capable of playing a significant role in countering one of the most pressing global threats today: terrorism and Islamic radicalism. The International Summit of Moderate Islamic Leaders (ISOMIL), organized by Nahdlatul Ulama in May 2016 in Jakarta and attended by 300 Muslim leaders from more than 30 countries, is particularly interesting to examine in terms of its influence as a major Islamic organization. This paper will discuss the brief history of Nahdlatul Ulama in Indonesia, its role in combating Islamic radicalism within the country, and its efforts to promote moderate Islam globally through ISOMIL. The aim of this paper is not to idealize the role of non-state actors in comparison to governments or state actors but rather to highlight the significance of their contributions in countering Islamic radicalism through people-to-people engagement in international cooperation
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