The Afghan Crisis and its Implications for Pakistan (2014-2021)

Abstract

Afghanistan's geostrategic and geopolitical position has made it a major participant in Asian geopolitics. Since the ancient Silk Road, it has served as a crossroads between the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Because of its strategic position and shared borders with six other countries, including Iran, Pakistan, China, and Turkmenistan, it has become a flashpoint for regional tensions and opportunities for collaboration. As a result, Afghanistan's role and position in Asia have been significantly altered after the Soviet disengagement from the Afghan Civil War. As a result, Afghanistan has descended into anarchy due to the rise of multiple Mujahidin parties funded by neighboring nations and outside meddling. Five common threads have evolved in Afghanistan and Pakistan's shared history since the colonial era. This frigid tolerance is marked by significant skepticism on both sides and is the result of three factors: sovereignty concerns, security interests, and geopolitical forces. Cross-border connectivity and trade provide a glimpse of what could be possible if relations between the two countries improve. Pakistan, despite continuing to influence the Durand Line to allow Taliban fighters to cross through, has recently increased security along its border. It was in 2014 that Islamabad decided to enshrine its successes in border security by building a two-layer fence over the entire border with Afghanistan and Iran. Cross-border settlements have been disrupted and Afghans have reacted angrily because of the fence, which has also attracted cross-border shooting. Pakistan also expanded constitutional authority to the surrounding FATA region, incorporating it into a nearby province. As a result, Kabul's official response has been quite restrained given the country's many other issues to contend with. Khyber District's border with Afghanistan is guarded by Pakistani Army forces. To build "strategic depth in Afghanistan," Islamabad has supported the Kabul government while limiting New Delhi's role.