Emomali Rahmon

Both Russia and Pakistan have reportedly urged Tajikistan and the Taliban to cool off their war of words, concerned about conflict on the border.

Presidential meetings in Central Asia are often dismissed for a lack of concrete results and for their exclusively ceremonial character. But there are good reasons to take the latest meeting seriously.

Tajikistan’s leaders declared the country COVID-free back in January, but the recent death of the president’s sister, reportedly from COVID-19, exposes the reality: The pandemic isn’t over.

A return to the pre-April status quo is preferable to continued violence, but a lack of progress on border negotiations isn’t a long-term solution to instability on the border.

Tashkent seems to have delicately removed itself from discussing Dushanbe’s Rogun dam, instead offering alternatives.

The Tajik president commented that “Tajikistan today is without COVID-19" -- close regional observers (and common sense) disagree.

Another seven year term for Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

The upcoming presidential election in Tajikistan underscores a worsening human rights crisis. 

What's at stake in Tajikistan's election isn't the presidency, but what comes next.

A coincidence? When IRPT leader Kabiri spoke this week in an online event his message was cut off from Tajikistan by “technical glitches.” 

With less than a month until election day, Rahmon stands prominently in a field of unsurprising candidates unlikely to rock the boat.