Chimera of the "Islamic state" in Central Asia

The author examines the origins and causes for establishment of the so-called Islamic State (IS), formerly known as the «Islamic State of Iraq and Levant» (ISIL) on the territory in the Near and Middle East. According to leaders of the terrorist group, their goal is to create a «Caliphate» state on the occupied territories, similar to the image and likeness of the Islamic theocratic state which existed during the epoch of the Great Prophet Muhammad (VII century AD). During the course of implementation of its intentions, IS’s fighters have applied cruel methods of persecution and killings of the non-Muslim population as well as Muslims who refuse to accept the concept of the Caliphate. However, it is necessary to understand that IS is not merely one more terrorist organization of Al-Qaida’s type. IS tries to designate itself as a real state based on the principles of Islamic justice while rejecting Western «values». It has created administrative bodies, its own systems of education, health and social services, introduction of a local currency, as well as periodicals and a powerful presence on social networks. Special efforts are also given towards attracting good specialists and volunteers from Europe, Russia and Central Asia. This article discusses some aspects of IS’s activities, focusing on the emergence of supporters of the «Caliphate’s» ideology in Central Asian countries. The author believes that the threat for countries of Central Asia exists in the form of quite probable violations of frontiers by groups of fighters who found shelter in Afghanistan and are connected with their local Islamic radical opposition, whose purpose is to fight against the secular modes of the region’s states. The main groups of the Afghan Talibs, mostly consist of ethnic Pushtuns and they will not go to war in the Central Asian region. Therefore, estimating a possibility of terrorist actions of IS in Central Asian republics, it is possible to define this threat as a chimera, the ghost.