Religious Radicalism And Terrorism In Central Asia After the Collapse of the Soviet Union: Historical Roots, Geopolitical Factors, and Security Dynamics

Authors

• Meltem Akıncı PhD, Akdeniz UniversityFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0807-1113

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive academic analysis of the historical origins, ideological foundations, and systemic impacts of religious radicalism and international terrorism on the geopolitical landscape of Central Asia in the post-Cold War era. The study closely examines how the ideological vacuum created by the collapse of the Soviet legacy, complex socioeconomic transformations during the transitional period, and external geopolitical influences from the Middle East and South Asia facilitated the latent and overt expansion of destructive radical religious movements in the region. Special emphasis is placed on the dual nature of the Islamic factor in the nation-building processes of Central Asian republics: on the one hand, the role of "official Islam" as a core element of national identity, and on the other, pseudo-Islamic radicalism as a direct threat to secular state systems. Furthermore, the paper evaluates the effectiveness of institutional and legal frameworks adopted by regional states to safeguard secular principles, revitalize the moderate values of traditional religious consciousness, and counter transnational security threats.

Recommended Citation

Akıncı, Meltem PhD (2026) "Religious Radicalism And Terrorism In Central Asia After the Collapse of the Soviet Union: Historical Roots, Geopolitical Factors, and Security Dynamics," Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe: Vol. 46 : Iss. 9 , Article 11.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55221/2693-2229.2909
Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/ree/vol46/iss9/11