On April 15 Russian border guards began their long-awaited withdrawal from the "Moskva" patrolled areas of the Tajik-Afghan border, handing over control of the sensitive area to Tajikistani border units. Despite Russia's apparent step back from its well-established role in Tajik border security, Moscow will retain an important advisory role in the future development of the independent border arrangements now placed in the control of Dushanbe. What was once regarded as a regional issue, with the problems of illegal narcotics transiting the border areas, has become internationalized, resulting in less economic strain on Moscow. Tajik border officials will continue to...