The Impact of Sunni Projects on Georgia: The Case of ISIS

Abstract

The Islamic State is an example of one of the fiercest and most brutal project for Sunni globalization. Currently the Islamic State has managed to become the number one threat almost all over the world. Residents of various countries have shown the willingness to join the Islamic State and those people who manage to survive after joining will end up bringing back home not only an extensive experience of fighting but new political and social ideas as well. All of these factors threaten the security of other countries, endangering peace and civic order.

The end of the Cold War and the bipolar global order led to a reactivation of missionary activities and the emergence of various globalization projects. The Islamic State is one among these projects. The establishment of a Caliphate by this certain group of jihadists, who are obviously not known for their high intellectual and educational level, can have certain repercussions. There is an objection whether Quran or the religion of Islam itself presupposes the establishment of Caliphate, however, the activities of Islamic State may reduce the number of Sunni globalization projects. In addition to this, the caliphate may aim at destabilizing the countries of the region. The supporters of Islamic State may stimulate similar actions in other countries. The instability caused by Islamic State may result in reshaping the map of the region.

The territory of the South Caucasus, located not far from the Islamic State’s de-facto capital Al-Raqqah is also endangered. Although it takes only eighteen hours to reach Tbilisi from Al-Raqqah by car, the internet has served as the main medium for recruiters. Georgia and Azerbaijan have turned out to be the two countries most targeted by Islamic State recruiters. The activities of the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq endanger the security of all the South Caucasian states. In Russia, the North Caucasus is the most vulnerable region in this regard. In turn, the vulnerability of the North Caucasus threatens the security of the Pankisi Gorge in Georgia. Only two years ago, the security forces of Georgia fought against armed militants in Lapankuri around the Pankisi Gorge. Azerbaijan has also voiced fear of the infiltration of the Islamic State into the region. Armenia, in this case, has to deal with the influx of Armenian refugees from Syria and Iraq, as they flee to escape the fighting and the rule of the Islamic State.