CIAO DATE: 02/2015
January 2015
The Islamic State (IS) is attracting Central Asians to Syria and fostering new links among radicals within the region. Unless the five Central Asian governments develop a credible, coordinated counter-action plan, including improved security measures but also social, political and economic reforms, growing radicalism will eventually pose a serious threat to their stability. The fallout from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq is a major security concern for Central Asian governments. Between 2,000 and 4,000 of their citizens have left for IS-held territory to fight or otherwise support the Islamic State cause. The five – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – crippled by corruption, poor governance and policing, have done little to address a threat as intricate as radical Islam. Instead, they are fuelling further radicalisation by curtailing civil liberties and initiating security crackdowns. The latest International Crisis Group briefing, Syria Calling: Radicalisation in Central Asia, analyses the socio-political context behind growing radicalism in the region and argues that a comprehensive solution requires the states to improve coordination between security services, but as importantly to liberalise religious laws and provide greater outreach and economic opportunity to and for young people, including women.
Resource link: Syria Calling: Radicalisation in Central Asia [PDF] - 1.7M