International Crisis Group
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Thousands from Central Asia joining ‘Islamic State' |Gabriel Domínguez
At least 2,000 Central Asians are believed to have joined “Islamic State,” a new report found. Marked by poverty and radicalization, the region has become a growing source of foreign fighters, as Crisis Group’s Project Director for Central Asia, Deirdre Tynan, tells DW.
The fallout from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq has become a major security concern for Central Asian governments. Crippled by corruption, the five former Soviet Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - are seen as having done little to address the issue of radical Islam.
In a recently released report, the International Crisis Group (ICG) says that “Islamic State” (IS) is attracting Central Asians to Syria and fostering new links among radicals within the region. 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 report notes.
FULL INTERVIEW (Deutsche Welle)
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David Greene talks to journalist and author Lawrence Sheets about his experiences in the former Soviet Union. They also discuss how the anti-Putin sentiment in Moscow is affecting relations with neighboring states. Vladimir Putin just won election in Russia and is returning to the presidency.
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