Countering Islamic extremism and terrorism vis-à-vis the 
consolidation of authoritarianism in the Central Asian states Cover Image

Przeciwdziałanie ekstremizmowi islamskiemu i terroryzmowi a konsolidacja autorytaryzmu w państwach Azji Centralnej
Countering Islamic extremism and terrorism vis-à-vis the consolidation of authoritarianism in the Central Asian states

Author(s): Nartsiss Shukuralieva
Subject(s): Government/Political systems, Security and defense, Studies in violence and power, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: Instytut Zachodni im. Zygmunta Wojciechowskiego
Keywords: extremism; terrorism; Islam; Central Asia; authoritarianism; neo-colonialism

Summary/Abstract: Central Asian states pay particular attention to the threat posed by Islamic extremismand terrorism. The purpose of this article is to examine the consequences of the global war onterrorism for the non-democratic regimes of Central Asia. The main thesis is that the new political-legal situation after 9/11 at the international level created favourable conditions for the strengthening of authoritarian governments. The security arrangements of the dictatorships derive from the colonial past and the persisting neo-colonial influence and power ambitions ofthe local ruling elite. The article consists of five sections. The first section discusses how neo/colonial discourses present Islam as a threat to the security of Central Asia. The second section describes the evolution of the right of peoples to struggle for self-determination and the fight against terrorism at the international level. The next two sections focus on the anti-extremist and anti-terrorist policies in the Central Asian states and how these policies are deployed to consolidate authoritarianism. The final section highlights selected aspects of the community of interests shared by the power elite of the centre and the periphery.

  • Issue Year: 383/2022
  • Issue No: 02
  • Page Range: 127-138
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: English, Polish