Trends in foreign fighter recruitment and Islamist extremism in Adjara, Georgia

Abstract

This article provides an empirical account of the growth of non-"Chechen" Islamist extremism in Georgia, focusing primarily on ethnic Georgian Muslim populations in southwestern Georgia. While ethnic "Chechen" (Kist) foreign fighters from Georgia appear to comprise the majority of Georgian militant exports to the wars in Syria and Iraq - and certainly have gained the most international media attention - there is evidence of increased numbers of Muslim Georgian Islamist militant recruitment and outflow. This article examines potential causes for Adjaran radicalization as well as its potential growth trajectory, and analyzes possible impacts on domestic and regional affairs.