ABSTRACT
The US-led military campaign in Afghanistan that toppled the Taliban regime and destroyed Al-Qaeda strongholds also struck a serious blow to militant groups in the Central Asian states. In all Central Asian countries, militant Islam has been on the retreat. In spite of this, Central Asian public offi cials, particularly authorities in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, have always insisted on the imminent danger of Islamist insurgency in their countries and in the broader region. The governments of these states have contended that the number of believers embracing the ideas of radical and militant Islam has been steadily rising in the Central Asian states.
