The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The newly released Global Terrorism Index 2026 indicates that the countries of Central Asia remain among the least affected by terrorism worldwide, though regional stability is increasingly influenced by external threats, particularly from neighboring Afghanistan.
The index measures terrorism using four indicators—incidents,
fatalities, injuries, and hostages—applying a five-year weighted average to
assess impact. While global terrorism levels declined in 2025, the nature of
threats has become more complex and less predictable. Major concentrations of
terrorist activity remain in Africa and South Asia.
According to the report, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and
Turkmenistan recorded no terrorist incidents and scored 0 on the terrorism risk
index, ranking joint 163rd out of 163 countries surveyed. Uzbekistan ranks 95th,
still within the minimal-risk category, while Tajikistan is the only Central
Asian country with a higher threat level, placing 41st globally.
The region’s relative stability is attributed to strong
security measures, absence of active armed conflicts, and limited presence of
international terrorist organizations. However, the report warns of growing
external risks, including rising extremist activity in Afghanistan and Pakistan,
deteriorating bilateral relations, and potential escalation along the Tajik-Afghan
border.
The report also highlights internal dynamics, noting an
acceleration of radicalization among youth, with digital platforms and online
content contributing significantly to the spread of extremist ideology.
