The North Caucasus: Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia

[davidbfpo]

A short article via CREST, which points to a longer, free report and starts with:

Despite its early and spectacular successes in Syria and Iraq, the Islamic State (IS) has, over the last year, suffered repeated setbacks that have weakened its ability to control captured territory and implement its state-building agenda. A key aspect of IS’s strategy has been the mobilisation of supporters across Russia and the former Soviet Union. Other rebel groups in Syria have also attracted support from these areas, illustrating the need for a proper understanding of the Russian-speaking militant milieu, beyond IS’s territorial claims.

Link:https://crestresearch.ac.uk/comment/...eign-fighters/

[davidbfpo]

A resource to watch by Mark Youngman, a PhD student @ Birmingham University, on the region; it assembles his previous work and now adds a pointer to others recent research.
Link:https://mark-youngman.com/ and the recent research:https://mark-youngman.com/2018/03/04...us-march-2018/

[davidbfpo]

Not the first ISIS inspired attack in Russia:

The terrorist organization "Islamic State" (IS) banned in Russia claimed responsibility for a man's attack on policemen in the Stavropol Territory.

Link:http://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/43086/?