Background
Islamist radicalisation is on the rise in the wider post-Soviet space. Several thousand radicalised individuals from the North Caucasus have joined the ranks of foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq. Central Asian republics also face this challenge with its attendant security risks, linked in part to the porous Afghan border. The challenges of violent extremism are global, but strategies and solutions need to be conflictspecific and tailored to the local context. To that end, Crisis Group is examining the growing appeal and influence of IS, al-Qaeda and other jihadi groups operating in the region, with a specific focus on radicalisation in the North Caucasus and Kyrgyzstan – among ethnic Uzbeks and Kyrgyz – and especially among women. This event’s kick-off presentation will compare and contrast radicalisation in two distinct corners of the former Soviet Union – the North Caucasus and Kyrgyzstan – and draw lessons for addressing the phenomenon. It will draw on Crisis Group’s field research.

Framework
This is the ninth of a series of early warning roundtables co-organised by the International Crisis Group (ICG) and the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO) in the framework of the project Strengthening Early Warning and Mobilising Early Action. The project, co-funded by the European Union, aims to reinforce the EU’s conflict prevention abilities, particularly its early warning and response capacity, through the timely provision of expert conflict analysis to relevant actors within the EU institutions.

Rationale and objectives
The roundtables are designed to contribute to the debate on contemporary conflict prevention and resolution. Crisis Group staff will present recent analysis and policy recommendations with the aim of identifying entry points for early action by relevant decision-makers, including the EU and Member States (MS), and fostering coordinated and complementary responses.

Registration:

Please note that this event is by invitation only. For any questions or registration, please contact Colin Cogitore (ccogitore@eplo.org)