Middle Eastern crises fuel the rise of Islamic radicalism, says Russia’s FSB

The change of power in Syria, conflicts in Gaza, and continuous pressure on Iran are fueling the growth of Islamic radicalism worldwide, Director of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Alexander Bortnikov, said in a speech addressed to participants of the 18th meeting of the competent bodies of the CIS member states involved in combating terrorism.

The FSB chief drew attention to the threats to the security of the CIS due to growing instability in the Middle East, Africa, the Afghan-Pakistani region, and Central Asia.

“The main reasons are both the intensified confrontation by the West to maintain its geopolitical position, including the use of terrorist organizations, and the continuation of their neo-colonial policies. The leading role belongs to the Anglo-Saxons,” the FSB head noted.

According to him, leaders of international terrorist organizations place their hopes on militants operating in Afghanistan and Syria, as well as on terrorists released from prisons in Syria, Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, who “are already openly announcing their aggressive plans against their countries of origin.”