Is Tajikistan strengthening its ties with the West? Recent developments would seem to suggest so.

Tajikistan has discussed the maintaining a French military presence, as well as expanding cooperation in the areas of agriculture and tourism. Tajikistan is also strengthening its ties with NATO. Combine that with Tajikistan’s National Development Strategy, and it would appear that the country is leaning more west than before.

However, geopolitical influence in Tajikistan is much more of a positive sum game than elsewhere in the region. Unlike countries like Kazakhstan or Turkmenistan, Tajikistan has few natural resources for outsiders to compete for. Therefore, it doesn’t really hurt Tajikistan to court, for example, both the United States and Russia, nor does doing so alienate either to the same extent.

Obviously this only holds true if relationships are being strengthened on Tajikistan’s terms. Experience has shown that, like other countries in the region, Tajikistan is wary of western NGOs.