| Abstrakt: |
In recent years, the concept of “Radical Islam” in post-Soviet states has been articulated quite frequently. This paper provides a brief historical overview of Islam in post-Soviet states, and examines whether the claims that radical Islam in post-Soviet states is growing and poses a threat to regional and global security are justified. The paper also examines the two Islamic movements that have had the greatest impact especially in Central Asia in recent years: the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (the IMU) and Hizb ut-Tahrir. Finally, the paper seeks answers to the following question: What should be done to eliminate at best, or reduce at least, the influence of radical Islamic movements in post-Soviet states? The author concludes that the threat of radical Islamic movements in post-Soviet states is neither a fiction to ignore, nor a reality to fear. He opines that the existing, but exaggerated threat of radical Islamic movements is used to justify aggressive measures by the governments of post-Soviet countries, particularly Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation. Finally, the author suggests several recommendations to external actors and the governments of post-Soviet states, particularly the government of the Russian Federation which still has the greatest impact on the region's politics, to skillfully absorb the negative influences of the relatively slowly rising trend, radical Islam; and to utilize the high values of Islam against the terrorists and separatists in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
