This article explores how terrorist groups exploit religious identity in order to attract more followers and to achieve their political goals. Researchers agree that political extremism and terrorism have become more religious. The importance of the ideological component in counterterrorism has been emphasized in several legislative bills adopted by Russian Federation. Using data collected in empirical study of 117 terrorist groups from Iraq, Afghanistan, and North Caucasus this paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the main mechanisms of manipulation with religious identity by terrorists in order to achieve their political goals.

This article explores how terrorist groups exploit religious identity in order to attract more followers and to achieve their political goals. Researchers agree that political extremism and terrorism have become more religious. The importance of the ideological component in counterterrorism has been emphasized in several legislative bills adopted by Russian Federation. Using data collected in empirical study of 117 terrorist groups from Iraq, Afghanistan, and North Caucasus this paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the main mechanisms of manipulation with religious identity by terrorists in order to achieve their political goals.