A Microcosm of Tajikistan's Underlying Security Issues

An unauthorized protest that occurred June 15 in the Tajik town of Khorugh, near the Afghan border, is the latest example of increased security tensions in Tajikistan. Though the protest was small and reportedly was not violent, such demonstrations are rare in Tajikistan because the government's security apparatus typically quashes unrest quickly. Furthermore, the protest occurred in a region that was very active in Tajikistan's civil war. The incident does not threaten the Tajik government, but it serves as a reminder of the simmering tensions in Tajikistan and neighboring countries.