U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has sought to reassure Tajikistan, an Afghan neighbor concerned about the spread of Islamist militancy, that Washington remains committed to the Central Asia nation's security.
Speaking after talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe on November 3, Kerry said he "emphasized the United States' commitment to work with Tajikistan and other countries...to strengthen border security."
Later, Kerry held talks with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov in Ashgabat, wrapping up his first trip around Central Asia in more than two years as the top U.S. diplomat.
On November 2 in Kazakhstan, Kerry praised President Nursultan Nazarbaev for his "leadership" in countering Islamic extremism but warned that the threat of terrorism is no excuse for stifling democracy and dissent.