China Eyes Afghanistan’s Neighbor in ‘Encirclement Strategy’: Experts

Tajikistan Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin attends the multilateral conference on Afghanistan, in the Iranian capital Tehran on Oct. 27, 2021. Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images

News Analysis

As the Chinese regime sets its sights on the vacuum left by the United States in Afghanistan, neighboring Tajikistan is also finding itself in the crosshairs of Beijing’s long-term strategy. The small landlocked country is the latest subject of the regime’s interests in Central Asia.