Formation of military-political cooperation between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Russian Federation in the late ХХ and early ХХI centuries

This article presents a comprehensive study based on the analysis of archival documents, official agreements, and regulatory legal acts outlining the stages of formation and development of military-political cooperation between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Russian Federation from the early 1990s to the present.The main objective of the research is to provide an original interpretation of the key phases in the evolution of bilateral defense interaction, beginning with the post-Soviet period. The paper identifies five distinct stages, ranging from the initial Russian military presence during Tajikistan’s civil war to the current level of strategic partnership and the expansion of cooperation formats, including the field of cyber security. Each stage is analyzed through the lens of formalized agreements, their practical implementation, and the influence of the international environment on the nature of bilateral relations.Particular attention is paid to the transformation of the legal status of Russia’s 201st Motor Rifle Division, which was restructured into a full-fledged military base. The study examines major developments such as the signing of fundamental agreements, presidential visits, ministerial meetings, arms transfers, training of personnel, joint military exercises, and the exchange of experience in counterterrorism and border security.The research draws on an extensive range of sources, including analytical publications, official statements, documentation of joint military drills, and unique data on inter-ministerial defense cooperation. Notably, the study includes a detailed review of the bilateral agreement on cooperation in the field of international information security, marking a new dimension in the partnership amid growing digital threats.Thus, the article offers an original perspective on the long-term evolution of Tajik-Russian military-political relations, revealing their stage-based development, depth, and strategic importance. The conducted analysis helps to identify stable mechanisms of partnership, assess trends, and outline potential avenues for adapting bilateral cooperation to the realities of a shifting geopolitical landscape.