Resumen de Islamism in Tajikistan and What the EU Can Do

Yvonne Braun

• The article shows that the Tajik government’s rhetoric of the “myth of radicalization” relating to the “Islamist” threat in the country makes it hard to distinguish this narrative from the real danger posed by Islamist movements. This creates an opaque and confusing climate in Tajikistan with a variety of actors, a restricted right to freedom of religion for the Tajik citizens and a not always cooperative Tajik government. This makes it difficult for the EU to address the phenomenon adequately. The article shows how the EU can fine-tune its current strategy by applying exact definitions, setting out clear and realistic goals, taking global and regional chances for cooperation into account and by focusing on its “soft power” approach