In the latest edition of the International Arena podcast, Dr Islomkhon Gafarov, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies, elaborated on the relationship between processes in Afghanistan and global security. In his interview, he emphasised that instability in this country remains one of the key threats not only to the region, but also to the international community as a whole. According to him, the sustainable development of Central and South Asia, as well as the effectiveness of the global fight against transnational threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking and arms trafficking, largely depend on whether the situation in Afghanistan can be stabilised.

 

The expert noted that since the Taliban came to power in 2021, the political landscape in the region has undergone significant changes. Despite the fact that the international community remains cautious about recognizing the new regime, the countries of the region are forced to build a pragmatic dialogue with the de facto authorities in Kabul. Uzbekistan, in particular, adheres to a policy of engagement aimed at maintaining stability through economic cooperation and humanitarian initiatives. The expert also emphasised that security issues in Afghanistan are inextricably linked to major geopolitical processes, including the rivalry of leading powers, the growing influence of non-traditional threats and changes in the system of global governance.

 

In his view, long-term security requires a comprehensive international approach that includes not only political and diplomatic mechanisms, but also support for Afghanistan's economic recovery. Otherwise, the country may once again turn into a source of destabilisation, which will affect not only neighbouring states but also world security as a whole.

 

* 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.