Russian approaches to radicalism and ‘extremism’ as applied to nationalism and religion

This chapter is certainly incapable of covering the full diversity of approaches to the topics mentioned in the title. My objective is therefore less ambitious – namely, to underline some key approaches to the issue of extremism. The concept of extremism in Russia is linked to nationalism and involves a vague concern about certain religious movements; therefore, these links will be briefl y discussed here also. Understandably, the main focus will be on the Islamic aspect (if any) of the issues described.