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Islamist radicalism in Central Asia

The Fergana Valley has long been seen as a fulcrum of regional religious extremism; yet while violent incidents have occurred sporadically, most notably on the Tajik-Kyrgyz border in May 2006, Fergana has not yet lived up to this reputation. The reasons can, in part, be traced to better state surveillance, detection and coercion capacities in the region, but also to changing patterns of Islamist activity – and, perhaps more mundanely, to the lack of mainstream appeal that these groups have for traditional and moderate sections of the Muslim community. However, a very real sense of political alienation can be said to exist in the Fergana Valley. It is providing the raw materials for Islamist recruitment, albeit not currently manifested in widespread violence.