1- . Corresponding Author, PhD student in International Relations, International Relations Group, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Khwarizmi University, Tehran, Iran,, subhanullah.subhani349@gmail.com
2- Senior Geopolitical Analyst, Geopolitical Geography Group, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Khwarizmi University, Tehran, Iran.., reza.shahbaznejad@khu.ac.ir ,reza.shahbaznejad@khu.ac.ir
3- Associate Professor of International Relations International Relations, International Relations Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran., s.a.monavari@khu.ac.ir
2- Senior Geopolitical Analyst, Geopolitical Geography Group, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Khwarizmi University, Tehran, Iran.., reza.shahbaznejad@khu.ac.ir ,
3- Associate Professor of International Relations International Relations, International Relations Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran., s.a.monavari@khu.ac.ir
Abstract: (148 Views)
Due to its geopolitical position, Afghanistan has always been at the center of competition among global powers. Following the withdrawal of U.S. forces in 2021, the country has become a battleground for rivalry among China, Russia, the United States, Iran, India, and Pakistan. Using the theories of Balance of Power and Mackinder’s Heartland Theory, this study examines the role of these rivalries in Afghanistan’s security, economic, and political developments. The research seeks to answer the question: how have geopolitical rivalries among global powers affected Afghanistan’s security, politics, and economy after the withdrawal of U.S. forces in 2021?
Geopolitical competition among global powers (China, Russia, the United States, Iran, India, and Pakistan) has led to increased economic dependency, intensified proxy rivalries, and greater complexity in Afghanistan’s domestic politics, becoming a major obstacle to sustainable stability in the post-2021 period. China, through large-scale investments and the inclusion of Afghanistan in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), seeks to strengthen its economic influence and secure its strategic interests. Russia emphasizes security aspects and counterterrorism measures and maintains a cautious relationship with the Taliban. In contrast, the United States aims to prevent further empowerment of the Taliban and the growing influence of China and Russia through economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and cooperation with regional actors. Meanwhile, Iran, India, and Pakistan pursue different objectives in Afghanistan, further complicating regional interactions.
The findings of this research reveal that global power rivalries have increased Afghanistan’s economic dependency, intensified proxy conflicts, and created new challenges within the Taliban’s domestic political structure.
Geopolitical competition among global powers (China, Russia, the United States, Iran, India, and Pakistan) has led to increased economic dependency, intensified proxy rivalries, and greater complexity in Afghanistan’s domestic politics, becoming a major obstacle to sustainable stability in the post-2021 period. China, through large-scale investments and the inclusion of Afghanistan in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), seeks to strengthen its economic influence and secure its strategic interests. Russia emphasizes security aspects and counterterrorism measures and maintains a cautious relationship with the Taliban. In contrast, the United States aims to prevent further empowerment of the Taliban and the growing influence of China and Russia through economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and cooperation with regional actors. Meanwhile, Iran, India, and Pakistan pursue different objectives in Afghanistan, further complicating regional interactions.
The findings of this research reveal that global power rivalries have increased Afghanistan’s economic dependency, intensified proxy conflicts, and created new challenges within the Taliban’s domestic political structure.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Political geography
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons — Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)