Militancy in Tajikistan Could Draw in Outside Powers

A Nov. 6 attack on a Tajik security checkpoint in Rudaki district near the border with Uzbekistan reportedly left at least 17 people dead, including 15 militants, a border guard and a police officer, though subsequent reports Nov. 9 indicate that at least five more security officers than initially reported actually died. The attack highlights the persistent threat of militancy of all stripes that Tajikistan faces, something of direct concern to external powers in the region -- and especially given the U.S. drawdown of forces from Afghanistan....