A deadly terrorist attack in Moscow on March 22 left more than 130 people dead and nearly 200 injured. This was the deadliest mass shooting incident in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege. The Islamic State—Khorasan Province (IS-KP) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

President Vladimir Putin has said that radical Islamists were behind the attack, and hinted at Ukraine’s involvement.

So, why are radical Islamists, and the Islamic State in particular, targeting Russia, and why now?

G. Sampath is joined by MK Bhadrakumar, a strategic analyst and former diplomat who has served in West Asia.

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