RELIGIOUS IDEOLOGY, OBJECTIVES, AND STRATEGY OF THE “CAUCASUS EMIRATE”

Abstract

This paper analyzes the penetration of the Jihad religious ideology into the Northern Caucasus and the factors that have caused radicalization of Chechen/Caucasus militants. The review of mutual penetration of the global Jihad movement of religious extremism and terrorism in the Northern Caucasus is presented; the major religious extremism and terrorism masterminds and figures in theNorthern Caucasusare characterized. The main attention is paid to the activity of Islamic organization “Caucasus Emirate” in the Russian NorthernCaucasusand its serious effects on the region.Since the overwhelming majority of foreign researchers try to avoid mentioning the role of the global jihadist movement in the region, as well as the appeal of Jihadism for a significant number of young people or the effect of these factors on the ideology, objectives, strategy, and tactics of the “Caucasus Emirate, this paper focuses on the religious ideology, objectives, strategy, tactics, and the potential of the “Caucasus Emirate” in using violence on the territory of Russia.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12731/2218-7405-2013-9-48

Keywords

• jihadist movement, Salafi ideology, Salafism, Jihadism, Takfirism, Tawhid (monotheism – the foundation of Islam), takfir (declaring a Muslim an unbeliever), vilayat (province)