A sizeable amount of natural gas has been found in Tajikistan- 60 billion cubic meters of gas, enough to supply Tajikistan for 50 years. Some of this gas may be available this year to Tajik households, freeing the country from Uzbekistan’s stranglehold on energy supplies. With a few more hydro-electric plants coming on board by 2015, Tajikistan may finally be an energy exporter to neighboring countries.
Otherwise, Tajikistan has a lot of problems- a polio epidemic that killed 29 children, terrorism, instability along the Afghan border, and weak government control in some provinces.
On the bright side, Tajiks still have a sense of humor. Radio Liberty has put together a video from Tajikistan on inside political jokes. I think it’s great. Enjoy.