Today we are going to talk about a topic - the relationship between Russia and the terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS), as well as a series of terrorist attacks linked to Russia.

Let us start with recent events. The Russian capital, Moscow, suffered a shocking terrorist attack not long ago, for which the international terrorist organization ISIS claimed responsibility. For many, the attack was both sudden and unexpected, as such acts of terror are more common in the Middle East, Europe and the United States by comparison.

So why would ISIS choose to strike in a place like Russia? To answer this question, we need to go back to the long-accumulated contradictions and conflicts between ISIS and Russia. Indeed, this hostility did not develop overnight, but has a far-reaching historical background and complex geopolitical factors.

The attack was reportedly planned by ISIS's Afghan affiliate, ISIS Khorasan. ISIS Khorasan Province, which has been on the rise in Afghanistan since late 2014 and has quickly become known for its brutality and extremism, has been speaking out against Russian President Vladimir Putin, criticizing his policies and viewing Russia as "complicit in the oppression of Muslims."

Russia has also suffered numerous terrorist attacks related to Islamic extremists over the past few years. From the 2015 bombing of a Russian flight over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula to the 2017 bombing of the St. Petersburg subway, ISIS and its associated affiliates have been Russia's enemies on its territory as well as in operations abroad.

It is worth noting that Russia's North Caucasus region has always been an active place for armed groups fighting against the Russian army, and after the establishment of ISIS, these groups have joined ISIS and sworn allegiance. These actions have undoubtedly increased ISIS's hostility toward Russia, and Russia has thus become one of the targets of ISIS attacks.

In addition, ISIS Khorasan is not limited to attacks against Russia; the organization is also trying to expand its global reach, especially in and around Afghanistan. This branch is known to have attracted militants, including those in Central Asia and elsewhere, who are dissatisfied with Moscow.

Nevertheless, we have also witnessed the efforts and cooperation of Russia and the international community in the fight against terrorism. In the aftermath of 2017, with the multinational coalition and Russia's military operations in Syria, the power of ISIS in the Middle East has significantly diminished. But this does not mean that the threat of terrorism has completely disappeared.ISIS continues to seek revival and expansion globally through its affiliates, especially organizations like ISIS Khorasan Province.

"The original backbone of ISIS Khorasan came from extremist elements of the Pakistani Taliban. As a result of the high-handedness of the Pakistani security forces, they fled from Pakistan to eastern Afghanistan. The terrorist attacks in Moscow and the serial bombings in Iran were attempts by ISIS Khorasan to raise its profile in the international terrorist arena through high-profile terrorist acts. The success of this strategy has not only brought new followers to the organization, but has also created new challenges to global security.

Although ISIS's traditional sphere of influence in the Middle East has been greatly reduced, it is clear through the activities of its affiliates that ISIS's capabilities and ambitions as a global threat are far from over. For the international community, it is an ongoing and urgent task to continue to closely monitor the movements of these affiliates and to cooperate in the fight against terrorism and prevent its spread in new regions.