Tag: North Caucasus
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Dagestan and the International Forum on Sustainable Development of Mountain Territories: Why Matters?
The International Forum on “Sustainable Development of Mountain Territories,” convened in Makhachkala on 1–3 October 2025, constitutes a significant demonstration of Moscow’s intent to promote Dagestan’s economy and integrate the North Caucasian republic into multilateral Eurasian frameworks.
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Chechnya: A SWOT Analysis of China Wuhuan’s Investment Initiative
This report assesses the strategic credibility, practical feasibility, and geopolitical implications of the planned Chinese investment trip to Chechnya in July 2025.
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Dagestan: Economic Development, SVO Support, and Persistent Security Challenges
This report examines recent developments in Dagestan, focusing on security operations, public policy initiatives, and strategic infrastructure projects.
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Ajnad al-Kavkaz and the Challenge of North Caucasian Foreign Fighters in Syria
This report analyses the recent tensions between the jihadist group Ajnad al-Kavkaz and Syria’s interim administration under Ahmed al-Sharaa. In a recent statement published online, Ajnad al-Kavkaz criticised targeted repression by the current Syrian authorities.
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Why Iranian Industrial Group Shasta’s Expanding Exports via Makhachkala Port Matters in Regional Geopolitics?
This report analyses the Iranian corporation Shasta’s involvement and interests in the Makhachkala Sea Trade Port in the Republic of Dagestan. The report also outlines potential benefits and challenges tied to these efforts.
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Kavkaz Investment Forum 2025: Economic and Geopolitical Outlook
This report provides an analytical assessment of the North Caucasus Federal District (NCFD) based on developments presented at the Kavkaz Investment Forum 2025, recent macroeconomic data, and ongoing geopolitical dynamics.
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Armed Attack in Makhachkala Underlined Dagestan’s Security Dilemmas
This report evaluates the recent armed attack in Makhachkala within the broader context of persistent terrorist activity in the Republic of Dagestan. It assesses the tactical and strategic implications of recent violence targeting security forces and the state’s response capacity.
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Are Energy and Lithium Driving Russia’s North Caucasus Strategy?
This report examines the strategic importance of the North Caucasus region for Russia, focusing on its role as a critical energy transit hub and local energy production area. Following the Ukraine conflict and the rising energy demands, the enhancement of energy infrastructure, including both local and transnational oil and gas pipelines, has become a key focus of the Kremlin policy.
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Makhachkala Port and Beyond: How Dagestan Connects Iran and Russia in a Shifting Eurasian Landscape
The report outlines the strategic relationship between Dagestan and Iran, highlighting recent developments during a delegation’s visit aimed at enhancing trade and economic collaboration
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Security and Terrorism in the North Caucasus: Interview with Mark Youngman
SpecialEurasia met with Mark Youngman to discuss his recent report “Terrorism and counterterrorism in the North Caucasus: 2024 trends” considering his vast experience as an open-source intelligence (OSINT) analyst and independent researcher.
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15 Years of the North Caucasus Federal District: An Analysis of Achievements and Challenges
This report aims at underlining the North Caucasus Federal District’s positive trends and the local challenges which might undermine regional stability and the Kremlin’s efforts to improve the socioeconomic conditions.
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Incident Report: UAV Attack on the Russian University of Special Forces in Gudermes, Chechnya
On October 29th, 2024, a UAV attack targeted the Russian University of Special Forces (RUS) in Gudermes, Chechnya, resulting in a fire on the roof of an unoccupied building.
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North Caucasus: New Geostrategic Opportunities
This report investigates the upcoming forum “North Caucasus: New Geostrategic Opportunities” scheduled on 4-5 October 2024. The forum aims to examine the strategic potential of the NorthCaucasus in Russia’s global strategy, focusing on infrastructure, regional growth, and human capital.
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Dagestan Between Kremlin’s Support and Indian Interests
This report analyses the recent developments in Dagestan, focusing on Moscow’s strategic interests in the republic and the geopolitical significance of the North Caucasus. It highlights the visit of Yuri Chaika, the Russian President’s representative in the North Caucasus, to Dagestan, and assesses the importance of the recent meeting between Dagestani authorities and an Indian delegation.
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Counter-Terrorism Operations in Ingushetia and Adygea: Recent Developments
The recent counter-terrorism operations in Ingushetia and Adygea underscore the persistent threat of terrorism within Russia and the government’s ongoing efforts to neutralise such threats.
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Analysing Contemporary North Caucasus with Mairbek Vatchagaev
SpecialEurasia engaged in a discussion with Mairbek Vatchagaev, a historian and political analyst specialising in the North Caucasus, to acquire deeper insight into the region’s dynamics, the Kremlin’s local strategy, the developing situation, and future risks.
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Ep. 25 – Report on Terrorist Attacks in Dagestan
The latest episode of the SpecialEurasia Geopolitical Report Podcast delves into the recent coordinated terrorist attacks that took place in the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent in Dagestan.
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Intelligence Brief: Violent Attacks in Makhachkala and Derbent in Dagestan
The violent attacks which targeted law enforcement and religious sites in Derbent and Makhachkala in the Republic of Dagestan highlight security issues in the North Caucasus and terrorist threats in the Russian Federation.
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Geopolitical Report: Kavkaz Investment Forum and the Future of the North Caucasus
The upcoming Kavkaz Investment Forum in Chechnya presents an opportunity to highlight the economic potential of the North Caucasus region. Recent years have seen robust socio-economic growth, but challenges remain, including over-reliance on tourism and external geopolitical pressures.
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Intelligence Report: The Ingush Jamaat and the Islamic State Wilayat Kavkaz
The resurgence of Islamist radical activity in the North Caucasus region, particularly attributed to the Ingush Jamaat of the Islamic State Wilayat Kavkaz, poses a significant threat to regional stability and security.
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Ep. 7 – Terrorism and Security in the North Caucasus
In our recent podcast episode, we delved into the intricacies of security and terrorism in the North Caucasus, explaining the geopolitical significance this region holds for Russia and its broader role on the Eurasian geopolitical chessboard.
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Counter-Terrorism Operation in Ingushetia: A Risk Assessment
FSB special forces’ counter-terrorism operation in Ingushetia stressed Russia’s readiness and strategy to counter the terrorist threat and jihadist propaganda’s impact in those regions as the North Caucasus mainly inhabited by Muslims.
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Chechnya’s Role in Russia’s Military Strategy and Foreign Policy
Dmitry Medvedev’s recent visit to Grozny and meeting with Ramzan Kadyrov and local military officials confirmed the role that Chechnya is plying in supporting Russia in the Ukraine conflict and the North Caucasian republic’s increasing role in regional and state’s dynamics and foreign policy.
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Ep.1 – Assessing current Caucasus’ geopolitical dynamics
In the first episode of SpecialEurasia podcast – Geopolitical Report, we discussed recent Azerbaijani presidential elections, Russian support and friendship with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Putin’s accusation against the United States of supporting terrorism in the North Caucasus in the past.
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The Geopolitical Implications of UAE-Dagestan Collaboration in Education
Dagestan State Pedagogical University (DSPU) and Mohammed bin Zayed University of Humanities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently entered into a cooperative agreement, primarily focusing on student and teacher exchanges and collaborations in education. This development underscores Abu Dhabi’s foreign policy interests in the North Caucasus, especially given the Emirati embassy’s cultural initiatives in Dagestan.
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North Caucasus’ Economic Performance in 2023: An Overview
While the North Caucasus Federal District demonstrates resilience, potential risks include external geopolitical influences and the need for sustained economic stability. The region’s dependency on tourism growth demands careful management to avoid overreliance on a single sector. Additionally, monitoring external pressures on the Russian economy remains crucial for sustained development.
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Geopolitics of the North Caucasus: An Analysis of Local Ethnic Minorities and Indigenous Peoples
In this paper published in Geopolitical Report ISSN 2532-845X Vol. 4 Year 2023, the author Giuliano Bifolchi delves into the multifaceted approach undertaken by the Russian government in managing the diverse ethnic groups and indigenous people residing in the North Caucasus.
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Imarat Kavkaz’s Supporter Arrested in Ingushetia: Is the Caucasus Emirate Still a Threat in the North Caucasus?
The recent arrest of a 23-year-old individual in Ingushetia, implicated in supporting online Imarat Kavkaz, underscores the persistent threat posed by this terrorist organisation in the North Caucasus region. While empirical evidence suggests a strong diminished operational capacity on the ground, the organisation’s propaganda remains a potent force capable of influencing local sentiments.
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North Caucasus Today Between Ethnic Minorities, Indigenous People and Economic Development: An Interview with Mussa Ekzekov
In July 2023 SpecialEurasia delved into the key aspect by visiting Cherkessk in the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia within the North Caucasus Federal District. The occasion was the Forum of Indigenous Peoples of the Russian Federation, where our team could discuss with Mussa Khabalevich Ekzekov valuable insights into the dynamics of the North Caucasus focusing on ethnic minorities, indigenous people, and local socioeconomic developments.
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The Makhachkala Airport Protest, the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, and Russia: Risk Assessment
The Makhachkala Airport protest in the Republic of Dagestan accentuated the impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Muslim umma (community) in the Russian Federation and the Kremlin’s necessity to manage potential tensions coming from the coexistence of different religious groups inside the country.
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How Dagestan-Uzbekistan Economic Cooperation Might Support Russia’s Presence in Central Asia
The opening of trading houses between Dagestan and Uzbekistan confirmed Makhachkala’s role in promoting its business in Central Asia and, therefore, supporting the Russian presence in this strategic market. Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, the North Caucasus has played a significant role in promoting the Kremlin’s economic and political presence in Russia’s blizhnee zarubezhe.
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North Caucasian Volunteer Fighters In Ukraine Criticised Kyiv’s Support To Israel
The presence of North Caucasian volunteer fighters within the international legion in Ukraine presents a complex dynamic with implications for the broader regional and geopolitical landscape. Notably, their vocal expressions of solidarity with Palestine and criticism of Kyiv’s support for Israel underscore a nuanced discord within the Ukrainian conflict theatre
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Geopolitics of the Dagestan National Centre and the Dagestan Battalion ‘Imam Shamil’
The establishment of the Dagestan National Centre in Russia and the Dagestan Volunteer Battalion ‘Imam Shamil’ in Ukraine underscores the reverberations of the Ukraine conflict in the North Caucasus. This development highlights a substantial threat emanating from various movements and organisations, advocating for the destabilisation and fragmentation of the Russian Federation.
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Stavropol Companies’ Business Mission to Abkhazia: Implications and Opportunities
The recent business mission conducted by Stavropol-based companies to Abkhazia signified a noteworthy advancement with extensive ramifications for both Sukhum and Pyatigorsk. This exchange also highlights Pyatigors’ approach to promote foreign business ventures for the Russian Federation.
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North Caucasus’Role in the Competition Between Russia and Ukraine Over the Islamic World
In the ongoing contest between Russia and Ukraine for endorsement from the Islamic world, the North Caucasus emerges as a critical asset in the Kremlin’s strategic arsenal. It serves as a linchpin for Moscow’s domestic political efforts in managing a diverse, multireligious, and multiethnic society, while also underpinning Russia’s foreign policy activities directed towards the Arab-Muslim world.
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SpecialEurasia Team Visits Karachay-Cherkessia for the Forum of Indigenous Peoples of the Russian Federation
Given the significance of the North Caucasus region in the intricate Eurasian geopolitical landscape and the potential role of indigenous communities within Russian society, SpecialEurasia decided to visit the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia to attend the Forum of Indigenous Peoples of the Russian Federation.
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Bridging Nations: Promoting Cooperation between North Caucasus and Iraq through Education and Research
The recent visit of the North Caucasian Federal University (NCFU) delegation to Iraq marked a significant step towards fostering cooperation between the Russian North Caucasus and the Middle Eastern country.
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Beyond the Headlines: Understanding the Ongoing Relevance of the North Caucasus
This report highlights the reasons the North Caucasus remains important and necessitates ongoing monitoring and provides some future scenarios about the region.
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Dagestan and Tajikistan discussed expanding cooperation in different fields, especially the halal industry
Dagestan and Tajikistan’s entente on developing cooperation confirms the North Caucasus’s role in promoting relations between Russia and foreign countries, especially those in the blizhnee zarubezhe (near abroad) where the Kremlin wants to confirm its presence and influence.
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Ingush activists announced the formation of the Ingush Liberation Army, threatening the Kremlin’s regional presence and strategy
The Kremlin might face a new wave of violent attacks or regional destabilisation due to the establishment of the Ingush Liberation Army, a military branch that the Ingush Independence Committee created to support an independent Ingushetia separated from the Russian Federation.
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Increased investment in Adygea confirmed the Kremlin’s strategy in the North Caucasus
Increased Russian investments in Adygea confirm the Kremlin’s strategy to implement the North Caucasus’ socioeconomic development and transform the region into a logistics hub supporting the diversification of Russian exports.
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Dagestan – Azerbaijan cooperation in transport and logistics supports Russian regional strategy
The commercial and political partnership between Dagestan and Azerbaijan might support the increasing relations between Moscow and Baku and implement the Russian foreign policy in the South Caucasus and the Caspian Sea region.
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Discovering Russia’s key foreign target through Stavropol’s economic strategy
Stavropol authorities’ desire to open trade offices abroad might underline Russia’s strategic economic goal in the Eurasian geopolitical chessboard, especially in Azerbaijan, Iran, China, and the United Arab Emirates.
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Ingushetia: IT Park “Adam Khamkhoev” between economic development and social promotion
The establishment of an IT Park in Ingushetia named after Adam Khamkhoev, killed in May 2022 in Ukraine, underlined local and central authorities’ desire to promote economic development and support Kremlin’s narrative related to heroism and national unity.
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Makhachkala port plays a decisive role in the Iran-Dagestan grain trade
Iran and Dagestan have increased their trade exchange through the Makhachkala Commercial Port, where the Kremlin has invested financial funds to transform this infrastructure into a logistic hub in the Caspian Sea, which might undermine the role of the close port of Baku in Azerbaijan.
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The North Caucasus connects Russia with the Middle East and Africa
The Stavropol territory welcomed representatives from the Middle East and Africa in the event “North Caucasus in the Changing World”, whose goal was to create a link between the region and potential foreign investors and markets.
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Islamic State cell arrested in Russian Stavropol territory
Recent arrests of Russian citizens in the Stavropol territory linked with the Islamic State confirmed that jihadist propaganda penetrated the Russian territory by exploiting local problems and influencing the Muslim communities disseminated in the country, especially in the North Caucasus, where the Kremlin has contrasted local militancy and religious extremism.
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United Arab Emirates cultural diplomacy in Dagestan
The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the Russian Federation organised an event in the city of Makhachkala to promote the national culture and create a link with Dagestan, a strategic North Caucasian republic located on the Caspian Sea.
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Russian domestic politics: promoting Dagestan culture among the ethnic Russians
Kremlin’s promotion of Dagestan culture and society in Sochi underlines Moscow’s goal to contrast Kavkazophobia and, simultaneously, improve the link between ethnic Russians and local ethnic Dagestani groups since this North Caucasian republic has a strategic role in the Caspian Sea region.
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Iran seeks cooperation with the Dagestani port of Makhachkala
Iran will play a primary role in the import-export activities in the Dagestani port of Makhachkala. The recent meeting between Dagestan and Iran’s representatives showed mutual interest in expanding trade cooperation and transit agreement.
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Ukraine conflict, the North Caucasus, and Russian Muslim leaders’ support to the Kremlin
Since the Ukraine conflict has attracted foreign fighters and the Russian Armed Forces have among their soldiers Muslim believers, the leaders of the Russian Muslim organisations released a statement supporting the Kremlin.
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Ukraine conflict, Chechnya and the Gulf Arab countries
While the Russian military forces are approaching Kyiv, Chechnya is trying to play its diplomatic role in the Gulf Arab countries to support the Russian Federation in the international arena.
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Ukraine conflict, kadyrovtsy and Chechnya
The Chechen kadyrovtsy might have been deployed in Ukraine to support the Russian troops. This news caused the reaction of the Caucasus Emirate and underlined the important role that Chechnya plays in the Kremlin’s foreign policy and military strategy.
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“Storia del Caucaso del Nord tra presenza russa, Islam e terrorismo” di Giuliano Bifolchi
Giuliano Bifolchi, Research Manager di SpecialEurasia, analizza il processo storico, culturale e religioso della regione nord caucasica nel suo libro “Storia del Caucaso del Nord tra presenza russa, Islam e terrorismo” pubblicato da Anteo Edizioni.
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Summary of the Webinar “Geopolitics and conflicts in the Caucasus: current challenges and future developments”
On January 27th, 2022, SpecialEurasia organised the Webinar “Geopolitica e conflitti nel Caucaso: sfide attuali e sviluppi futuri” to analyse with scholars and experts the current situation of the Caucasus and discuss future developments and challenges in the region.
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Caucaso del Nord: turismo, progetti di sviluppo e possibilità di investimento
Il Distretto del Caucaso del Nord, area di primaria importanza strategica euroasiatica, mira a divenire un centro di attrazione turistica sia attraverso la realizzazione di progetti di investimento e di costruzione di infrastrutture per il turismo sia tramite una campagna di promozione volta a valorizzare la storia, la cultura e il patrimonio ambientale locale.
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Raid della polizia belga contro Imarat Kavkaz
In Belgio, la polizia locale ha condotto 28 perquisizioni contro l’organizzazione terroristica Imarat Kavkaz a dimostrazione di come la propaganda jihadista in lingua russa possa influenzare la diaspora nord caucasica presente sul suolo europeo.
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Terrorist attack in France and the Chechen diaspora in Europe
The recent terrorist attack in France highlights the security problem and the impact of jihadist propaganda in the Russian language inside the European Union. In fact, Islamic State ideologies and the presence of the North Caucasian diaspora in Europe might threaten EU security.
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Russia wants to upgrade the port of Makhachkala
Russia plans to develop the infrastructure of the port of Makhachkala to transform the Dagestani capital into a logistic hub in the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus region and boost socio-economic development. Moscow’s desire to upgrade Makhachkala’s seaport and airport challenges the city of Baku, and the Azerbaijani aim to become the Caspian interconnection.
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Guerra dell’informazione: il Cremlino accusa The Jamestown Foundation
Il Procuratore Generale della Federazione Russa ha dichiarato la Jamestown Foundation un’organizzazione ‘indesiderata’ a causa di una serie di articoli pubblicati in merito all’area del Caucaso nordoccidentale i quali fomenterebbero il disordine e le divisioni settarie.
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Russia closed Minkavkaz. Is Russia changing its regional strategy?
The abolition of Minkavkaz might be considered part of the political-institutional reshuffle which Putin started in the Russian Federation. This decision might be interpreted as the Kremlin’s will to change its approach to the North Caucasian dynamics.
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Terrorismo nel Caucaso del Nord: attacchi in calo, ma preoccupano ancora i problemi della sicurezza
Il Caucaso del Nord continua a dare segnali contrastanti per quel che riguarda la sicurezza interna dimostrando sempre di più quanto la gestione di questa regione del sud della Russia sia complessa e debba prendere in esame tutta una serie di peculiarità locali e di influenze esterne.
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Il collegamento dell’Emirato del Caucaso con la Siria
La presenza dei gruppi jihadisti nord caucasici fedeli ad al-Qaeda oppure di militanti nord caucasici attivi tra le fila di Daesh che combattono nella guerra civile siriana contro le forze di Bashar al-Assad rappresenta una minaccia futura per la Russia ed in generale per l’Europa e la Turchia le quali potrebbero essere prese di mira da attentati terroristici contro strutture civili e militari.
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