Russia’s ‘Middle East’: the escalation of religious conflicts in the Northern Caucasus

Abstract:

The eastern part of the Northern Caucasus (Dagestan, Chechnya and Ingushetia) became an increasingly distinct region in cultural, civilisational and social terms when compared to the rest of the Russian Federation. The situation on the ground there bore greater resemblance to the Middle East than to Russia: Islam was the key factor organising socio-political life, and conflicts inside the Muslim community, often involving bloodshed, were the driving power of developments in the region. The conflict was between the two main branches of Islam in the Northern Caucasus: Sufism linked to the official clergy and government, and Salafism which gained more and more supporters among young people in the Caucasus. Tension, including clashes over mosques, attacks, mass detentions, etc. were observed mainly in Dagestan and Ingushetia.

Sufism and Salafism, and the perennial conflict between the two, were essential elements of the Northern Caucasian political puzzle, as was resorting to the use of violence. They influenced the development of the situation and were used in political games on many occasions. A similar situation could be seen at present – the Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, who wanted to strengthen his position in the region, tried to assume the role of protector of Sufism and suppressor of Salafism. This magnified the destabilising potential of the conflict and may have posed the risk of an escalation of violence in the Northern Caucasus.