Russia has a common interest with the communist government in Tajikistan in sidelining Islamic fundamentalism and lends military support; it provided border guards in 1993 to prevent cross-border incursions from neighboring Afghanistan. Tacit support also comes from the USA, which is eager to limit the influence of Iranian-backed fundamentalists worldwide. The government does not stress the link with the USA, however, fearing that this may encourage Iran, and possibly Pakistan, to promote the Islamic fundamentalist IRP.
