"Not In Our Name": Islamic State Recruitment in Kyrgyzstan

The Islamic State has been infamous for its recruitment of foreign fighters to its self-proclaimed caliphate in Iraq and Syria. One of the greatest sources of its foreign manpower has been the former Soviet Union, especially the five Muslim Turkic republics of Central Asia. In a new series, leading Central Asia researcher Noah Tucker and his team of local specialists examine IS radicalization and recruitment throughout the region.

The first episode of this ten-part series, produced on RFE/RL's Current Time affiliate, focuses on Kyrgyzstan's southern Aravan region. Despite only having around 20,000 people, Aravan has produced one-third of the estimated 600 fighters that have traveled to join IS in Syria. A grouping of local participants answers questions about their theories as to why.

Locals point to poor living conditions and financial motivations, but insist that this is not the only explanation: those who have left include some who owned multiple cars, multi-storey houses, etc. Aravan has always been known as a more conservative and religious region of Kyrgyzstan, as some participants indicate. Some women left as well, taking their children to Syria, and few at home know the present fate of their departed friends and family.

The first episode of this series raises many questions but gives frustratingly few answers, an unfortunately common theme in radicalization-focused research. It is only the first episode of ten, however, so it stands to reason that more illuminating conclusions will be forthcoming later. The pedigree of those involved in creating this project make it a worthwhile subject to keep an eye on and continue watching.