Tadsjikistan og Turkmenistan: sikkerhetspolitiske utfordringer

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the security policy of two Central-Asian states, namely Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. I have focused on the aspects of the national security policy which concerns external threats. The study also attempts to define the security challenges through the lens of Tajik and Turkmen statesmen. For each of the two states the work has been done in three parts. First I have defined the existing external security challenges towards the state. Then I have described the security strategy that will handle these challenges. Lastly I have described how this strategy has been implemented and also evaluated whether the strategy has contributed to security. The aim of the study is a greater understanding of the security policy of these two states, as two Central-Asian states which have chosen different paths to security. The security challenges to both states that are discusses are firstly, international terrorism, religious extremism, drug smuggling and international organized crime which are connected to instability in Afghanistan. Secondly it is the border disputes both states have with Uzbekistan, and in addition the Turkmen border dispute with Azerbaijan. Thirdly it is blockade of Turkmen ability to export gas, and Tajik ability to achieve energy independence. The strategies that are discussed are the Tajik alliance strategy and Turkmen neutrality and how these strategies have contributed to security.