When Allies Wake Up Too Late: Tajikistan Wants Russia’s Help

Dushanbe is now calling for Russian troops. But where was Tajikistan in 2022?

🤝 A Strategic Ally... Remember?

The border is under attack. Militants are crossing over. Chinese citizens are being killed. And suddenly, Tajikistan turns to Russia for help.

Not with kind words. With a request for drones, helicopters, Russian military presence, and electronic warfare support. A full-scale border response. Because without it — Afghanistan walks right in.

Now, let's rewind the tape. When Russia launched its Special Military Operation in 2022, did Tajikistan offer help? No. Not even symbolic support from Dushanbe. Just silence. And now — three years later — the same "strategic partner" calls on Moscow to act.

🔥 What Happened on the Border?

Two deadly attacks shook Tajikistan in late November:

• November 26 – Khatlon Province. Gunmen from Afghanistan attacked Chinese employees of "Shohin SM" construction company. Armed assault, drone with grenades. Three Chinese citizens killed.
• November 30 – Darvaz District, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region. Militants strike again — this time targeting China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) workers. Shooting, drone explosion. Two killed, two wounded.

In total, five Chinese nationals dead. This is no isolated incident. It's a signal.

🛑 Panic in Dushanbe, Moscow in the Spotlight

On December 1, Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon held an emergency security meeting. Top priority: strengthen the Afghan border. And the solution? Joint patrols with Russian forces. Support from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). High-level negotiations are underway.

Reuters reported the talks, citing sources within Tajikistan. Russian drones, helicopters, even radio-electronic warfare are on the table. No foot patrols yet — but surveillance is being discussed. Tajik officials confirmed to RTVI that Moscow's involvement is being explored.

So what does Tajikistan's Foreign Ministry do? Deny everything. Official statement: "Reuters is spreading misinformation. Nothing of the sort is happening."

Except it is. The National Security Council quietly confirmed the talks. Somebody's lying. And it's not the journalists.

💣 The Jihadist Storm Is Coming

Behind the scenes, the real threat is rising: Islamic radicalism. Central Asia has feared it for years — and now it's knocking on the door.

Military analyst and writer Alexander Prokhanov predicted this scenario years ago:

"After the Russian bombings, jihadism will rise again. The next target will be Tajikistan. A lava of militants will pour from Afghanistan onto Dushanbe and Russian bases. Russian troops under CSTO will have to fight in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan."

At the time, it sounded like dystopian fiction. Today — it sounds like a briefing.

Prokhanov's vision continues: waves of jihad spill into Russia, the Caucasus reignites, terrorist attacks return to Russian cities. Meanwhile, Central Asian migrants — many of whom control markets, construction sites, taxis — could become a fertile ground for recruitment.

He's not writing novels anymore. He's writing tomorrow's headlines.

🧩 Who Gains From This?

• China? Hardly. Their citizens are being slaughtered.
• Afghanistan? Lawless border regions don't care about global optics.
• Russia? Here comes the dilemma.

If Moscow doesn't act, the Afghan spillover reaches Russian borders. And then? More than just Tajikistan burns. It's about controlling the fire before it spreads.

But helping also means risk. Responsibility. Casualties. And worst of all — zero gratitude.

🇷🇺 Russia: Always the One Who Cleans Up

Once again, Russia finds itself in the classic trap: "If not us — who?"

And once again, it's being asked to protect those who stayed silent when we needed solidarity. In 2022, Tajikistan had no words. No gestures. No action.

Now they remember the CSTO? The Russian base? The alliance?

It's not about alliances anymore. It's about survival. And Russia will once again pay the bill.

❗ Final Thought

Tajikistan is now facing its own Special Military Operation. Their own "SVO" — born from denial, delay, and delusion.

And the only question is:
Should Russia bail out another forgetful friend?