The influences and capabilities of the Islamic State in the Caucasus (indoctrination, ideology, propaganda, recruitment)

The purpose of the research paper is to show the challenges arising from the Islamic state, which threatens the Caucasus region. The ideology, propaganda, indoctrination process created by the Islamic State and its activities in the Caucasus region are analyzed within the framework of the research. The study attempts to determine the likely influence and capabilities of the Islamic State in the Caucasus region after its fall. The study focuses on the reasons for the rise and fall of the Islamic State, the goals and motives of the Islamic State in relation to the Caucasus region. The scientific novelty is to discuss and analyze the vulnerable circumstances in the Caucasus region that contribute to the activation of the Islamic State in the region. The study discusses the specific factors that led to the departure of young people from the Caucasus region, namely Russia, Azerbaijan, and a small amount from Georgia, to Syria, as well as the main reasons for the Islamic State’s interest in the Caucasus and the counter-terrorist measures carried out by the countries in the region. Conclusions. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, later the Islamic State or Daesh, gained international attention after gaining control over significant areas of Syria and Iraq. The state formation created according to Islamic Sharia and the propaganda created by it attracted a significant part of young Muslims from all over the world. The Islamic State gained significant popularity in the Caucasus region as well, which led to the departure of a certain number of Muslim youth to Syria and Iraq in order to participate in military operations with terrorist goals. The study focuses on the reasons for the rise and fall of the Islamic State, the goals and motives of the Islamic State in relation to the Caucasus region. As a result of the research, it was determined that economic and social issues are important contributing factors to the activation of radical and extremist ideology and processes, the Islamic State in the Caucasus region. Despite the economic and social factors, there were other main reasons for the departure of young people from Russia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to Syria. Among them, it is worth noting the dissatisfaction with Russia in the North Caucasus, the growing prevalence of Salafism, frequent violations of human rights, ownership of economic and political resources by certain groups in the Russia as well as in the Azerbaijan.