Publication

This publication contends that China is watching carefully as the Syrian army begins operation in the al Qaeda safe haven of Idlib province. At stake for China and Central Asian countries is the large presence of Uzbek and Chinese Uyghur militants that may return to Asia. Moreover, Malhama Tactical – which trains various jihadi groups in Idlib – have threatened to put China in its crosshairs. Given that the same al Qaeda-linked groups are based in Afghanistan as well as Syria, the text’s author also contends that the US should seek ways for meaningful anti-terror cooperation with Asian powers to neutralize the threat in both fronts.