Abstract
End of the cold war following the disintegration of the Soviet Union witnessed unprecedented increase in militancy and terrorism prompted by internal and external forces. This was also fuelled by factors like religious fundamentalism and ethno-nationalist chauvinism. The newly independent countries of the Central Asian region encountered myriad problems like terrorism, drug trafficking, arms trafficking, organized crime, separatism, and ethnic conflicts. Given the geographical proximity and historicity, Central Asia is regarded as Russia’s own backyard and a “soft underbelly”. The near-abroad security developments in the Central Asian republics have great influence on Russia and could create a complex environment detrimental to its security interests. The Russian approach to this challenge is of great importance for the stability of the whole area. Any negative developments in Central Asian Regions and Afghanistan would have serious security implications for Russia. A stable and friendly government in Afghanistan and Central Asian states would prove beneficial to Russian security, including the on ongoing separatist movements in Chechnya and Dagestan. Therefore it is imperative that Russia and Central Asian states act collectively to counter religious radicalism and foster regional stability. This article examines some factors responsible for breeding terrorism and religious extremism in Central Asian Republics and its security implications onRussia such as Central Asian threats, US presence in Central Asia and the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Highlights
Terrorism has gained prominence as among the non-traditional threats in the world
According to Meena Singh Roy, a Central Asian expert, five major causes can be attributed to this rising religious extremism and terrorism in Central Asian states (Roy, 2004: 186-187), i.e. breakup of Soviet Union and creation of ideological vacuum, rise of Taliban in Afghanistan, hard-line and repressive policies of Central Asian regimes, unemployment and poor living conditions and lack of democratic and economic reforms
Rise of Taliban in Afghanistan Afghanistan has always been crucial to the security of Central Asian states
Summary
Terrorism has gained prominence as among the non-traditional threats in the world. Combating this threat is a major issue confronting most of the governments in the world today. The September 11, 2001 attack on World Trade Center and Pentagon in the United States of America has unveiled the bad face of this new menace Though this threat is evident everywhere, in some form or other, it is more serious in countries like Russia and the Central Asian Republic (CARs). Radical Islamists have long been interested in Central Asia, a historic centre of classical Islam located in a region of strategic importance They entered the region in significant numbers only since the late 1980s, as it had been closed off to the rest of the Islamic world by decades of harsh Soviet rule According to Meena Singh Roy, a Central Asian expert, five major causes can be attributed to this rising religious extremism and terrorism in Central Asian states (Roy, 2004: 186-187), i.e. breakup of Soviet Union and creation of ideological vacuum, rise of Taliban in Afghanistan, hard-line and repressive policies of Central Asian regimes, unemployment and poor living conditions and lack of democratic and economic reforms
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
