The annual report Afghanistan: Contemporary Developments & Alternative Perspectives (2025 edition), produced by the Center for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies at the Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS), offers a policy-relevant overview of Afghanistan’s ongoing transformation and its implications for regional stability and cooperation.

Drawing on analytical chapters and expert commentaries prepared by IAIS researchers and external contributors, the publication highlights the key dynamics shaping Afghanistan. It addresses security developments, political shifts, economic management under international constraints, cross-border trade and infrastructure initiatives, water-related challenges, as well as social issues including education and women’s rights.

The report also underscores Afghanistan’s emerging function as a bridge between Central and South Asia, while examining how neighboring states adjust their approaches — including Uzbekistan’s engagement agenda, connectivity priorities, and the risks associated with long-term uncertainty.

Prepared at the intersection of academic research and applied analysis, the report is designed for policymakers, diplomats, analysts, and practitioners seeking a structured and evidence-based perspective on Afghanistan’s current trajectory and possible future scenarios.

* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.