The Threat of Islamic Fundamentalism in Post-Soviet Central Asia

Abstract

The article provides an analysis of Islamic fundamentalism in post-Soviet Central Asia as well as a contribution to the lively discussion among journalists and analysts on the threat to national security posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The main claim of the article is  that post-Soviet regimes create an Islamic extremism threat themselves. The deliberation is an attempt to answer the questions about the actual significance of Islamic fundamentalism in the region and the Islamic State impact on the national security of central-Asian republics. The paper is based on scientific literature, analytical centers studies and media reports. The analysis revealed that: the Islamic State has only a limited influence on security in post-Soviet Central Asia; authoritarian regimes use Islamic fundamentalism to pursue their own political interests; the activity of radical Islamic groups should be perceived in terms of  a challenge rather than a threat to security in the region.