Afghanistan Crisis: Security Problems for Russia and Central Asian States

... particularly over drug trafficking along the “Northern Route” from Afghanistan via Central Asia to Russia and then to Eastern and Northern Europe. The latter development is particularly important since drug profits are among the sources used to finance terrorism [ 5 ]. In addition to these problems, the following factors enhance the Afghanistan- and Central Asia-related threat to Russia: Extensive Islamic propaganda in Central Asia using the latest means of communication. The regional identity crisis that emerged after the collapse of the USSR. Kadyr Malikov, an eminent Kyrgyz theologian, notes , “The crisis stemmed from disappointment in secular authorities and in the traditional clergy. The traditional clergy are unable to respond properly ...