TOKYO -- Counter-terrorism measures, including expanding support for anti-Islamic State operations, are likely to feature prominently in the Group of Seven summit taking place in Italy on Friday and Saturday. The talks will center around the deadly bombing at a pop concert in Manchester, U.K., but a string of attacks in Asia this week has highlighted once again that the region is no exception to terrorist activities, with governments stepping up efforts to contain future violence.
Thailand was the first Asian country to suffer a terrorist attack this week. A bomb attack on Monday, the third anniversary of a 2014 military coup, in a hospital in the Thai capital Bangkok wounded 24 people. There have yet to be any claims of responsibility, but suspicion is falling on political dissidents opposed to military rule, or Muslim separatists based in the south of the predominately Buddhist country.