Politicization of Islam in Central Asia after the cold war: The case of Uzbekistan

Within the scope of this study, the phenomenon of the politicization of Islam in Central Asia and Uzbekistan in the post-Cold War period is based on the axis of religion-politics and international relations. The methods followed for the study were explained and the gaps in the literature were tried to be filled. As a result of the conclusions made, it was stated that the struggle against political Islam was only handled within the framework of national security and power concepts; religion, economy, fundamental rights and freedoms. As a result, it has been determined that people continue to turn to radical groups and that religion is used by opposition groups as a tool to overthrow the existing powers. In this context, it was found appropriate to deal with the phenomenon and sample in the context of realist theory and realism was used as a theoretical framework.