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The Diplomat (13 September 2021)

By Umida Hashimova

Of the three Central Asian countries bordering Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have been actively dealing with the consequences of Afghanistan’s fallout. While Tashkent is more in a wait-and-accept mode toward the Taliban, Dushanbe has been vocal about its opposition to the group.

Tashkent’s position toward the new government in Afghanistan has been to urge the formation of an inclusive government that encompasses various rivaling powers. But a Taliban-only government seems to be an acceptable alternative for Uzbekistan. When Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev recently said “our defense is ready for any situation, we are in control of the situation… They [Afghanistan] are our dear neighbors, they can’t move, neither can we,” the statement sounded like an acceptance of the recently announced non-inclusive Taliban-only government. 

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