Russian Foreign Policy Assessment of Takfirist Cycles in the Middle East (Case Study: ISIS)

The Middle East unrest that has inflamed the region's political and security environment over the past few years has led to the creation or revival of radical and terrorist currents that have widespread religious and historical roots. ISIS is one of those groups that became the most dangerous and most important Takfirist-terrorist group with a jihadi approach and violent actions, and subsequently the military successes that it has gained. The group quickly dominated parts of Syria and Iraq and announced the formation of an Islamic government. The activities of takfirist groups including ISIS, in addition to jeopardizing the interests and security of the Syrian and Iraqi countries, also threatened the interests and security of other regional and sub-regional states. This brought about the emergence of new regional alliances, including between Iran and Russia, to confront ISIS. This paper tries to examine Russia's approach to takfirist movements, especially ISIS, and to answer fundamental question that which components and reasons are important for Russia's involvement in the war against ISIS? The findings of this paper have been show that efforts to maintain internal security by confronting the expansion and strengthening of takfirist movements outside of its borders and expanding its sphere of influence in the Middle East and regional balance of power constitute the key point of the Russian foreign policy towards The takfirist, especially currents ISIS.