Tajikistan's Security Woes

Map of Tajikistan - CIA

Tajikistan's Downward Spiral. Afghanistan shares a border area with Tajikistan in the northeast and this poses problems for Tajikistan. The border security organizations have been compromised with bribes from smugglers and drug traffickers. In addition, the re-emergence of Central Asian jihadist groups in northern Afghanistan, establishment of militants aligned with the Islamic State in eastern Afghanistan and elsewhere in the country, as well as the overall deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan does not bode well for Tajikistan. Internally, Tajikistan faces political turmoil and economic decline; surefire feeding grounds for the growth of militant jihadist groups. Learn more in a recent (Jan 11, 2016) by the Crisis Group entitled Tajikistan Early Warning: Internal Pressures, External Threats.

Islamic State a Threat to Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. "Neither country has a military force capable of resisting incursions by the Islamic State (IS), the Taliban or other militant forces emanating from Afghanistan." (The Jamestown Foundation, Jan 12, 2016).

News Article on Crisis Group Report. Catherine Putz has penned an analysis of the Crisis Group's report. She says that the report points to opposition crackdowns as indicative of an unstable state. Read more in "Report Warns of Instability in Tajikistan", The Diplomat, January 12, 2016.

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Tajikistan Worried about its Afghan Border

Tajikistan's armed forces are setting up a new base very close to the Afghan border. The country has some concerns about armed groups operating just south of its border that are not under the control of the Kabul government. Armed groups could be the Taliban, warlord groups, or local militias. Or . . . it could be a catch all phrase for any or all terrorist or insurgent groups (like ISIS or the IMU) that may be operating in the area. With the departure of the Coalition forces from Afghanistan there is little punch remaining in the international forces to conduct combat operations. There still remains a small counter-terrorism capability within the current U.S. force structure in Afghanistan but this is likely reserved for high-value al-Qaeda and Taliban targets. Some U.S. and international SOF forces are continuing to work with the ANA Special Operations Forces and the MoI Special Police Units but their presence in the north of Afghanistan has diminished significantly. Read more in "Eyeing Taliban, Tajikistan Sets Up New Military Base on Afghan Border", Bug Pit Eurasia Net, January 8, 2015.

Tajik Women Teach Life Skills to Afghan Women

Map of Darwaz District
Badkhshan Province

A cooperative venture between women of Afghanistan and women of Tajikistan has provided the Afghan women with some important life skills. In 2012 and 2013 as many as 410 women from Darwaz district, Badakhshan province have learned various life skills that will improve their standard of living. Up until the 19th century Darvaz was an independent principality but today its 50,000 live on both sides of the border of Tajikistan and Afghanistan. This educational program is supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the German foreign aid agency (GIZ). The program is facilitated by the Aga Khan Foundation's Mountain Societies Development Support Program (MSDSP). Read more in "Tajik women teach Afghan women life skills", Central Asia Online, November 14, 2014. (Map - Creative Commons on Wikipedia).

Tajikistan and Turkmenistan to Aid Afghanistan

The two Central Asian countries of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are keen to see a secure and stable Afghanistan. The last thing these countries need is an unsecure northern Afghan border from which insurgents can cross causing internal security problems within their respective countries. To that end they are assisting with the delivery of electricity to Afghanistan at a reduced cost. Read more in "Turkmenistan, Tajikistan want to aid Afghanistan", Central Asia Online, October 28, 2014.