Syria’s Jihadist Crackdown Could Lead to Islamic State Defections

Syria’s Jihadist Crackdown Could Lead to Islamic State Defections

Executive Summary; Mounting pressure from Syria’s new authorities, limited prospects for citizenship, fears of deportation, and growing ideological tensions may drive some Central Asian and North Caucasus jihadists to relocate to Afghanistan. Moscow has warned that this relocation could strengthen al-Qaeda and Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) networks, posing a growing security threat to Russia and Central Asia.  An ISKP strengthened b…