I was deployed to Uzbekistan where the Muslims liked their vodka & not a hijab in sight. That was after 70 years of secularization, of course.
Wonder what the secular-to-jihadi ratio is among Muslims in Russia now?
I’m close with several Uzbeks (including Uzbek Jews!) And honestly, just as in the Middle East (yes even the Middle East, I mean just look at the protests in Iran) - of course not everyone is a Sharia law abiding extremist.
But major terror suspects in the U.S. hailed from the Caucuses or former Soviet region. The brothers who carried out the Boston Marathon attacks, the car ramming thing in New York a few weeks ago...I think from Uzbekistan and here on visa lottery...etc...