"Why Russian presence in Tajikistan?" Topic

"According to Kremlin spokesman, the Russian presence in Tajikistan is intended to ensure stability and security in this really volatile region

SOCHI, October 7. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tajikistani President Emomali Rakhmon are concerned over the situation in Afghanistan, but boosting Russian military presence in Tajikistan is out of the question, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday, commenting on the two leaders' Tuesday meeting.

"At present, the Russian presence in Tajikistan is intended, in accordance with international law and bilateral agreements, to ensure stability and security in this really volatile region," the Kremlin spokesman said…"

Full article here
tass.ru/en/politics/826876

I have read reports from Russia that if U.S. and NATO forces leave Afghanistan next year …. much of the country would fall to the Taliban within a year. To say that the countries that are on the border with Afghanistan are nervous is an understatement, and I will not be surprised if I will be reading even more reports in the future on Russian military build-ups in the neighbouring countries of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. But for the moment …. this Russian move in Tajikistan is a preventive measure …. albeit at a small scale right now. But it could change fast…

Amicalement
Armand

Ah, Tajikistan … where Uzbekistanis go to feel better about themselves (at lest according to Conan O'Brien).

Many of the Taliban are Uzbeki's and Russia is very worried about them bringing their new careers as terrorists home with them. In fact, large numbers of the Taliban came from this region even during the Russian occupation of Afghanistan in the '80's.

Because they can … and the Taliban, AQ, Daesh, etc., migrate … spreads like the Plague …