Radicalization as Security Blowback in Central Asia? An Exploration of Anti-Terror Practices in Tajikistan

Abstract

The study “Radicalization as Security Blowback in Central Asia? An Exploration of anti-terror practices in Tajikistan” analyzes and examines the policy of authoritarian regime of Central Asia republics in relation with Islam, case of Tajikistan. Tajikistan as former Soviet republics with 98 percent of Muslim population with high rate of unemployment, corruption and other socio- economic inequality which became one of the most weak and unstable state in the region. Being mostly Muslim country where Islam as a religion plays an important role in socio- political, cultural and traditional life of the people. After the Civil War (1992-1997), Tajikistan signed peace agreement with United Opposition Party (UTO) which legally signed as Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan in the parliament. Thus, since twenty one years of independence Islam as a religious became main concern of the government of Tajikistan. The Tajik government with policy of countering radicalization and extremism in the country addressed major pressure toward Islamists and Islamic Revival Party in the country. This paper would demonstrate strict policy of Tajik government in relate to religious people and religious institutions. The research would demonstrate Tajik government rule and suppression policy toward Islamists and the IRPT with effort to prevent radicalization and promote regime stability, but in the process of the government’s suppression policy is "a self-fulfilling prophecy" which increase further radicalization and regime instability in the society.