Of the five Central Asian states, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are arguable the most entwined with one another, culturally and economically. Yet despite – or perhaps because of – their proximity, they have consistently had the worst of relationships.
One need see only the surface of events to know that Tajikistan is a country in turmoil. Rather than look at the outlines of the civil war in Tajikistan, this article will analyze the background to the conflict and will try to explain the rise of localism and ethnonationalism and the nature of their impact Continue reading
The emergence of the independent Republic of Tajikistan (Jumhurii Tojikiston) was one of the most painful state building attempts in post-Soviet history. Since 1990, this country has experienced a rise in political activism, freedom of speech, sharp political debates, collapse of state institutions, civic disorder, civil war, an internationally led peace process, return of exiled opposition and their militias, and redistribution of power. As of 2010, Tajikistan continues its gradual shift from the fragile, postwar recovery period towards a more stable, Continue reading
