Malashenko, Alexei. "Islam in Central Asia." In  Central Asian Security: The New International Context, edited by Roy Allison and Lena Jonson, 49-68. London: Royal Institute of International Affairs, 2001.

According to Malashenko on page 49: "The purpose of this chapter is to discuss Islam as a factor both for consolidating and for dividing the Central Asian states."  Malashenko argues that Islam as a religious heritage did not consolidate the contemporary Central Asian states, but the threat of radical Islam did to some extent with regard to security. Malashenko also discusses the "Islamic factor" with regard to Central Asian foreign relations with Russian and the wider Muslim world.  Finally, he concludes that Islam has an influence, but is not a principle factor in Central Asian foreign relations.

Contents: Islam in Central Asian Society; Radical Islam and the Central Asian States; The 'Islamic Factor' and the Role of Russia; Central Asia and the Wider Muslim World; Prospects for the Future; Notes.  Descriptors: 2000s, chapter, foreign relations, M, political science, post-Soviet.