Paper short abstract:

Based on the survey materials examined attitudes of young people towards integration / isolation, integration projects EAEU, CSTO, SCO, One Belt One Road and prospects for integration within the Central Asian region

Paper long abstract:

The collected materials show that in 2020, the youth of Tajikistan felt relatively safe, both at the personal and at the country level, but believed that security would be best ensured within the framework of some kind of integration association. A year later, the sense of danger increased and this strengthened the orientation of the youth of Tajikistan towards joining any integration association, as well as establishing closer relations with neighboring countries.

As for the geopolitical ideas and preferences of the youth of Tajikistan, those geopolitical orientations of the Tajik youth reflect an ongoing process of formation of the country's identity.

Young people are oriented towards establishing closer relations with Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, China, to a lesser extent - with Kyrgyzstan, i.e. with the countries of the former USSR and territorial neighbors. The youth believes that this can ensure the security of Tajikistan in relation to the Taliban Afghanistan. In general, the attitude towards Afghanistan has become much more complicated, as well as towards Ukraine, which is considered in the context of relations with the EU and the USA. When comparing the results of studies from different years, we found that the attitude towards China has undergone the greatest changes. Young people of all ages recognize the growing influence of China in Tajikistan. At the same time, the younger groups are oriented towards China to a lesser extent than the older ones. Overall, this empirical study contributes to the concept of interlinking of views about isolation / integration and security.