tajikistan
The region covering today's Tajikistan was
part the of Persian empires for much of its history. This region
has been an important place for flourishing Persian culture and
language.
In recent
history, Tajikistan has experienced three changes in government
and a five-year civil war since it gained independence from the
USSR in 1991. A peace agreement among rival factions was signed
in 1997 and implemented in 2000. The central government's less
than total control over some areas of the country has forced it
to compromise and forge alliances among factions. Attention by
the international community in the wake of the war in
Afghanistan has brought increased economic development
assistance, which could create jobs and increase stability in
the long term. Tajikistan is in the early stages of seeking
World Trade Organization membership and has joined NATO's
Partnership for Peace. In recent years, Unemployment has been
fought by the government with a huge success, though the country
has been unable to cope up with the problems left behind of the
civil war. Today, most prospects of change are clearly being
evident to help recover the country, though much of these
measures are proving to be inefficient and unfulfilling.