Tajikistan: An Islamist Party's Growing Significance

As Tajikistan continues to face an unstable political and security environment following military operations in the opposition stronghold of Gorno-Badakhshan, it appears that the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan may be set to emerge as an increasingly significant player in the country. A number of recent events have brought attention to the party. Its offices were vandalized Aug. 10, while on Aug. 13, a man with alleged ties to the party was implicated in the murder of a high-ranking Tajik government official. With the power struggle in Tajikistan seeming to intensify and the 2013 presidential election approaching, the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan will be an important group to watch with regard to both politics and security.