‘It’s been defeated in the West, but it’s surged around the world’ - the threat posed by Isis-K

Counter-terrorism expert Colin P Clarke warns of potential for attack on Paris Olympics

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One of the suspects in the deadliest attack in Europe to have been claimed by Isis-K, in court in Moscow, March 24th. Photograph: AFP via Getty
One of the suspects in the deadliest attack in Europe to have been claimed by Isis-K, in court in Moscow, March 24th. Photograph: AFP via Getty

The Moscow attack which killed at least 137 people and injured many more was carried out by an Isis affiliate called Isis-K.

On today’s In the News podcast, Colin P Clarke, director of research at the Soufan Group and an expert on domestic and transnational terrorism, explains why Russia was targeted by the Islamic jihadists and how Afghanistan post-2021 has become a safe haven for terrorists despite the Taliban’s war on Isis.

Looking at the footage from inside the Crocus City Hall on March 22nd, he explores the planning and methodology of the four Tajikistan suspects in their attack and explains who Isis-K are, how they are funded and what do they ultimately want.

As to Moscow’s claims that Ukraine was involved in the atrocity? Clarke says a firm no. And Ukraine-based reporter Dan McLaughlin explains how the Moscow propaganda machine has used the attack.

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And with the Paris Olympics just months away, Clarke, whose latest book is called After the Caliphate: The Islamic State and the Future Terrorist Diaspora, says the global terrorism threat from Isis-K is very real.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon.

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast