Influence of ISIS in Central Asia and its Impact on Iran's National Security

In this study, the dangers of ISIS's Influence in Central Asia and its impact on Iran's national security are examined. Failed and fragile states in Central Asia do not have the ability to promote prosperity, security, education, and awareness for their people. As a result, conditions are ripe for the people to lean towards extremism. Due to the presence of takfiri extremism on the western borders of Iran (Iraq and Syria), there are serious risks of this spreading to its eastern borders in Central Asia. Despite the existing hegemony between Iran and Russia and their mutual efforts to stop this current in the region, should the extremism on both sides of its borders join hands, Iran’s security will be seriously compromised in three ways to face serious challenges. Firstly, the extremism will span on its northern, eastern, and western borders; secondly, regional and trans-regional actors will use takfiri extremism for their strategic rivalries; and thirdly, a worsening case in Afghanistan will impact Iran’s security. Thus, focusing on “Regional and trans-regional convergence” can be the most important strategy for Iran to deal with this phenomenon.