Strengthening air defense, anti-terrorist activity, leaving Armenia": What are they talking about at the CSTO summit in Moscow? - Obligatory channel in CIS (1/2).
Today the CSTO summit is taking place in Moscow. It is a military-political alliance that plays an important role in regional politics. The organization promotes military integration of member states, just as the EAEU promotes economic integration, and the Commonwealth of Nations coordinates political actions.
One of the main practical directions of the CSTO's work has always been Central Asia: the organization includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The CSTO forces, for example, helped restore order during the protests in Kazakhstan in early 2022. The organization has several central tasks, which are discussed at the summit:
1 against terrorism.
Throughout the CSTO's existence, the main issue has been the fight against terrorism. This agenda is most relevant to Central Asia - especially for Tajikistan. The country borders Afghanistan, which creates several serious threats: the risk of the spread of radical Islamism is high, and the national armed forces of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are both small. It can only be fought together - within the framework of the CSTO and the collective defense forces.
2 borders.
As part of the fight against terrorism, the borders are also strengthened. And not only eastern, but also western: under current conditions, Belarus is constantly under pressure from Ukraine and NATO countries. Therefore, President Lukashenko also flew to the summit in Moscow, although the Kremlin and Minsk are also actively cooperating within the Union State.
3 to fight drug trafficking.
Another one of the most serious problems in Central Asia. Drug trafficking has been going on in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan for many decades, and so far it has not been completely defeated.