Afghani crisis and the threat of Islamist extremism in Tajikistan

Abstract

This article examines terrorist organizations that pose a threat to Tajikistan and analyzes their activities, media products and recruitment campaigns within the context of the Afghan crisis. Particular attention is paid to the rise to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the transformations that occurred during their year in power. It considers not only transformations in Afghanistan itself, but in the global jihadist movement as a whole. Expert interviews gathered during field research are also analyzed. The data collected during the field study are analyzed in addition to databases and academic papers already available in the public domain. Based on the data mentioned above, this article assesses the level of threat posed by various terrorist organizations and the possible prospects for the situation. It also examines the existing laws in the sphere of religious policy in the Republic of Tajikistan and their application. It examines how extremists adjust their recruitment campaigns and how it is reflected in their discourse. The article also reveals the peculiarities of relations between various extremist organizations that are active in Tajikistan or are composed of Tajik citizens and are involved in fighting in other countries. In addition, it investigates which organizations Tajik citizens are more likely to join and what determines their choice. The results of the article contain conclusions for each organization considered in accordance with the results of the study that has been conducted. These findings contribute to existing studies on extremism in general and on extremist activity in Tajikistan in particular against the background of the Afghan crisis. Therefore, it brings new arguments and perspectives to the existing academic debate on this topic.