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Islamist Extremism, Nukes, and the Stans

(Tech Central Station) Stephen Schwartz - The Republic of Kazakhstan is a territory scattered with radioactive materials left over from the Soviet era. While the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, an ally of al-Qaeda, has been effectively defeated, the Islamic Liberation Party continues to recruit among a minority population of Uzbeks in southern Kazakhstan. An Uzbek diaspora outside the borders of Uzbekistan is a source of ethnic grievances that skillful extremist recruiters can exploit. Kazakh Muslims are completely indifferent to the appeal of Wahhabism, and Kazakhstan has diplomatic relations with Israel. Nevertheless, vigilance will be required to prevent terrorists from using Kazakhstan as a source of nuclear materials for "dirty bombs" - conventional explosives wrapped in contaminating materials.
2004-07-08 00:00:00
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