Publication

This paper considers the impact of a growing Muslim population in Russia. It notes that Muslims in Russia have a higher birth rate than Slavic Russians, which may have profound political, social, economic and foreign policy implications for Russian society. The author points out that in 2006, Muslims are not highly politicized and the influence of militant Islam outside the Caucuses is limited. However, if Russian elites continue to attempt to block the emergence of Muslim elites, tensions between Muslim and Slavic Russians are likely to increase.