Experts at The Jamestown Foundation warn of the strengthening of ISIS's Afghan affiliate, Vilayat Khorasan Province (ISKP). The terrorist group, banned in many countries, is increasing its external operations and recruiting in Central Asia.

Its propaganda media publish information about militants from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, presenting them as role models, and pit potential supporters against the Taliban. ISKP positions itself as the only way of fighting the governments of Central Asian countries and seeks to attract Central Asian oppositionists based abroad.

According to analysts, ISKP plans to expand its presence in neighboring countries, which raises concerns on all “sides of the geopolitical divide,” including the United States, China, Russia, India and Iran. ISKP intends to step up efforts to incite violence and conduct external operations in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and other former Soviet republics.