Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-sends-armoured-vehicles-military-equipment-tajikistan-2021-09-11/
With the fall of the Afghan government and an increase of instability in the region, Russia has been sending updated military equipment to the Tajik Armed Forces as well as holding military exercises in Tajikistan, which has a long border with Afghanistan. This includes armored vehicles, individual protective gear and close combat equipment. Russia has also been reinforcing its military presence in Tajikistan by replacing the mostly outdated equipment of the 201st Military Base with more modern equipment. This modernization of Tajik, as well as Russian forces in the area, is hoped to greatly increase their combat capabilities to prevent a possible spillover of violence into Tajikistan.
The Taliban’s sudden rise to power in Afghanistan has led to an increased global security concern, however, this is even more prevalent in the immediate area with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan especially concerned as they share large borders with Afghanistan. Tajikistan seems to be taking the largest action to protect from a possible Taliban threat, likely as a result of incidents of large numbers of ANA soldiers fleeing across the border and because they are worried that the increased instability could lead to a rise in tensions within their own country and a possible repeat of the civil war in the 90’s. The Tajik Civil War took place from 1992-1997 between the North-West of the country which generally supported the government and the South-East who were Islamist forces that recieved a large amout of support from militias in Afghanistan.
This article relates to this class because Russia is a global actor that is reinforcing its military presence in Tajikistan as well as increasing the strength of their regional allies. Tajikistan is worried that the violence in Afghanistan may spillover the border and encourage people with Islamic sentiments to rise up against the government. Tajikistan may also want to be ready to protect the ethnic Tajik minority in Afghanistan which had previously faced oppression under Taliban rule from 1996-2001.