1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20411December 7, 1999Afghanistan: Connections to Islamic Movements inCentral and South Asia and Southern Russia(name redacted)Specialist in Middle Eastern AffairsForeign Affairs, Def
2、ense, and TradeSummaryAfter several years of relative peace in Central Asia and southern Russia, Islamicextremist movements have become more active in Russia and in Central and South Asia,threatening stability in the region. Although numerous factors might account for theupsurge in activity, several
3、 of these movements appear to have connections to the Islamicfundamentalist Taliban regime in Afghanistan. These linkages raise questions aboutwhether the United States, as part of a broader effort to promote peace and stability inthe region, should continue to engage the Taliban regime, or strongly
4、 confront it. Thisreport will be updated as events warrant. See also CRS Report RS20358, ChechnyaConflict: Recent Developments; CRS Report RL30294, Central Asias Security: Issuesand Implications for U.S. Interests; CRS Report 98-106, Afghanistan: Current Issuesand U.S. Policy Concerns; and CRS Issue