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Afghanistan provides a significant geographical linkage for the regions of the Middle East, South Asia, and Western Asia; therefore, its stability is utmost important for regional as well as broader global accord. The two and half decades of the US military engagement inside Afghanistan had a qualified success as far as peace and stability goals were concerned. The Doha talks focused on the complete withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and the internal dialogues among the Afghan stakeholders. Here, the United States, China and Pakistan’s stakes inside Afghanistan became very significant in the context of counter- terrorism and peace. However, the policies of these three significant powers diverge over major elements of security and peace in the region. This paper attempts to explore such divergence and convergence in the multinational peace building approach in Afghanistan. A mixed methodology approach is used to investigate such divergence and convergence in the multinational approach to Afghanistan in the region. The findings of the paper suggest that the two major powers, the US and China are strategically involved in countering each other’s influence and retaining their dominance in Central Asian region, including Afghanistan. For Pakistan on the other hand, the major adversary to contain and confine in the region is India. The paper argues that the three nations can benefit on a common ground if a multilateral approach to peace building is carried out prudently for the sake of a long-term peace and stability in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Taliban resistance against the various Afghan governments continued in the post-2001 period which finally culminated in their agreement with the United States of America (USA) for the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan in February 2020 and the subsequent capture of Kabul from President Ashraf Ghani in September 2021. Pakistan once again played a pivotal role in this US-Taliban agreement with a hope to achieve its regional objectives of discouraging Afghanistan from its claim on Durand Line, countering India to seek further influence in Afghanistan, tackling the menace of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) inside Pakistan and taking benefits from regional economic and commercial developments. To add to the surprise of Pakistan, the Taliban government repeated the Afghan claim on Durand Line as an international border, provided active support to TTP, allowed India to complete the ongoing projects and also failed to help Pakistan in realizing its dream of accessing the Central Asian markets on account of sanctions on their government. This research paper seeks to answer the question that what dilemmas Pakistan faces after the establishment of Taliban government in Afghanistan once again after a gap of 20 years? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every region and people has peculiar economic characteristics and these features largely have roots in that region's social structure, social psychology and its dynamics. The capitalist economy of the United States has roots in individualism and Protestant Work Ethic, influenced both by Protestant religion and the social character of the Americans; the Client Economy of Saudi Arabia has deep linkages to its tribal social structure and the so-called Bazaar Economy of Afghanistan is profoundly embedded in the Pakhtun social structure of the country. The Pakhtuns of Pakistan have a peculiar social structure and social psychology thereof having profound and extensive influence on the region's economy particularly its largely underdeveloped condition. The paper explores the characteristics of Pakhtun social structure and the interactive linkages between the social edifice and economic development or lack of it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afghanistan has been subject to occupation, invasion, civil war and conflict for almost thirty years. The events that have taken place in Afghanistan have not merely impacted on the region, they have engulfed it. Although thirteen years have passed since the start of the USA's operation in Afghanistan, scholars still discuss its internal and external ramifications, and the prospective developments in the country after the withdrawal of the US forces. This paper seeks to evaluate the extent to which the USA's operation and withdrawal plan have contributed to the current challenges and potential futures for Afghanistan. It takes into consideration the internal and external factors that impact on the stability of the political environment in the region; and proposes foresights of the possible scenarios for future state formation and political (re)orientation in Afghanistan. In conclusion, the paper suggests that that the withdrawal plan of the US forces in Afghanistan should be reconsidered as the continuance of instability in the country is likely to have a negative impact on NATO's effectiveness. It also postulates that the regional powers should cooperate in the containment of problems in Afghanistan and reinforcement of the reconstruction of the country in order to build enduring peace in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China, one of the major powers and close neighbor of Afghanistan, has both economic and strategic interests in Afghanistan in the post 2014 Afghanistan after US/NATO drawdown from the latter. Though China has never been directly involved in Afghanistan for decades its internal security concerns and the major shift in the geostrategic and geopolitical situation in the region has forced China to depart from its old posture and engage its neighbor. However much depends upon the future scenario that arises in Afghanistan and the nature of cooperation among different stakeholders and the role of neighboring countries of Afghanistan. This paper aims at studying the future prospects of China's interests in Afghanistan from different perspectives. An effort has also been made to suggest remedies to the challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afghanistan has always drawn the attention of the world due to its geo-strategic location. Its proximity with the Central Asian States makes it more important for the world. The 9/11 episode, US intervention in Afghanistan and now the drawdown of ISAF from Afghanistan have further compelled both Pakistan and India to play a zero-sum game there. This has given great momentum to the Indo- Pak rivalry each with its own set of stated objectives and strategies. This paper analyzes the Indo-Pak rivalry in the post 9/11 scenario. This will also analyze the different objectives and strategies adopted by both the archrivals to increase their rivalry against each other. For Pakistan, Afghanistan is more important for its strategic significance and easy access to the CARs. India, on the other hand, seeks all the objectives that are hostile to Pakistan in order to deprive Pakistan of her strategic depth in Afghanistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After 14 years of war on terror, the coalition forces are leaving Afghanistan. There are claims of victory, but stipulated goals have not been achieved and international community is increasingly looking towards the impact of NATO drawdown 2014, which will directly impact the wider region. Not only there is a risk of instability spilling over to the South Asian region, but the drawdown will also accelerate the ongoing competition among the regional powers, particularly between India and Pakistan. Both have a real clash of interests and want to serve their relative geo-strategic, geopolitical and economic interests. These interests are varied and sometimes conflicting. Besides these interests they have strategic stakes in Afghanistan. Pakistan is pre-occupied with its 'strategic depth policy' and India with its security related to Kashmir. Other apprehensions include radical Islamism, extremism and drug trafficking. Emphasis is also on issues pertaining to internal security and the political settlement in Afghanistan as the weakness of the state and political fragmentation of the country will also influence the South Asian region. It is a well known fact that power in Afghanistan is extremely decentralized and real control is exercised by a handful of field commanders and warlords without having any real political affiliation. Their relations with neighbouring powers are to secure their respective interests only. There is a clear indication that the clash and competition in Afghanistan may create a conflicting situation transforming into a war after the drawdown. There is a need to manage the interests and neutralize their concerns regarding the post-2014 scenario in Afghanistan. In this regard, an enhanced regional cooperation is required to keep the region away from instability and insecurity. On the other hand south Asian powers' involvement will be viewed as a threat to the regional stability. This allegation is based on the past experience when the superpowers made Afghan territory a playground for their proxy war making alliance with regional powers. There is a need of co-operation among the regional powers in the post withdrawal scenario in the same manner as they did in counterterrorism operations. The paper will evaluate all these aspects and impact of drawdown 2014 on the security of South Asia keeping in view competition of regional power in the endgame politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NATO/ISAF drawdown from Afghanistan scheduled through various tranches has drawn the attention of the whole world. The drawdown taking place through five phases is a matter of great importance as Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan destined Afghanistan for civil war, power vacuum, and continuous power struggle between the various ethnic groups and the ascendance of Taliban to the throne of Kabul. This paper discusses the dynamics of NATO drawdown from Afghanistan and its repercussions on Afghanistan. It will focus on schedule for security transition, different stages of drawdown, security assessment and future size and strength of the residuary forces in the post 2014 scenario. Withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan testifies the fact that the latter may once again be faced with certain chronic issues such as power vacuum, future threats and challenges. This will also analyze Afghan-US bilateral security agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the 9/11 attacks, an international military intervention in Afghanistan targeted the Taliban-Al Qaeda combine. The immediate result was the dislodging of the Taliban regime. However, close to a decade and half later, the goal of establishing order and stabilising Afghanistan has not been met. Presence of plethora of actors with differing goals and diverse range of activity has added to the complexities of achieving long term stability in Afghanistan. Lack of a unified vision and consequent lack of unity of effort has led to dissipated efforts. The inadequate understanding of the nature of state in Afghanistan among the international actors trying to shape the country's future has impacted stabilisation project. Not surprisingly, with the commencement of NATO drawdown in Afghanistan there are concerns of the reversal the fragile gains of the last decade. This paper is a stock taking exercise of the international community's role in the reconstruction of security, political, economic, and governance sectors in the last decade. It attempts to provide an alternative course of action for the international community in the transformation decade (2014-2024) to usher in durable peace and long term stability in Afghanistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the US pulled its troops out of Afghanistan, relations between Pakistan and Iran started to return to normal. Both countries have been at odds with each other for a long time because they backed different sides in the Afghan Civil War, and Iran and Saudi Arabia are rivals. However, since the US left, both countries have worked to improve their relationships with each other. Pakistan and Iran have signed several agreements and held joint military drills. Iran and Pakistan have also been having regular diplomatic talks to solve their problems and strengthen their relationships. In particular, the two countries have discussed making a free trade agreement to help their economies work together better. As part of a larger plan to increase its power in the area, Iran has also tried to expand its presence in Afghanistan and invest in infrastructure projects. Overall, the US leaving Afghanistan has improved the relationship between Pakistan and Iran; the two countries are working together and talking to each other more. This has been good for the area's stability because it has made it less likely that the two countries will fight. This thematic analysis-based study aimed to investigate the dynamics of relations between Pakistan and Iran. The internal situation in Afghanistan after the US left, the US's role and foreign policy in the region, and India's relations with Iran are all things that have had a significant impact on the political situation in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peace and stability are critical for Afghanistan's and regional countries' security and socioeconomic interests. It is also necessary for landmark project of China, the Belt and Road Initiative, in the region. Therefore, China is consistently making concrete efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan. The withdrawal of United States without restoration of peace and stability has created a situation where there is likelihood of civil war in the country. An unstable Afghanistan would prove fatal for the interests and security of China as well as other neighbouring countries. On one hand, it has created security threats to Chinese interests and investment in Afghanistan and on the other hand militant organizations like Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) and Turkmenistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) regrouped their militants that posed direct threat to security and stability of China. The current study attempts to analyse the Chinese quest and pursuit for peace and stability in Afghanistan and whether China possible role along with the regional countries to establish a regional bloc of countries, like Pakistan, Russia Iran and Turkey could be workable for restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan or not after the US and NATO forces withdrawal ? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present day global village is marked by what we call the challenges of strategic power game, oil politics, economic adventurism, military occupations and invasions in the name of 'selfdefence'. The apparent contours of US military engagement policy was to defeat, disrupt and dismantle Al-Qaeda. The operational mode of policy remained in a constant state of flux, encircling not only Al-Qaeda but also Taliban in its ambit. Then Obama strategy emphasized on reinvigoration of military engagement but simultaneously encouraged reconciliation and talks with the Taliban. This paper aims to analyze the nature of the US engagement with consequent transition of security responsibility to Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Related questions arise that is the US strategy of military operations worked and accomplished in Afghanistan? whether Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police are capable to tackle this responsibility? What is prevailing security situation and what can be likely situation on the eve of NATO Drawdown? Moreover, the U.S decision to bring about a drawdown of its forces from Afghanistan in 2016-17 also implies succumbing to the demand of the Taliban for a complete withdrawal of foreign forces half-way. Success of a solution to the Afghan problem depends upon the support of the majority if consensus of all Afghan factions is not easily achieved. But to make that understanding concrete, Afghans will also have to make sure that their territory is not used by regionallplayers against each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afghanistan is facing terrorism and serious law and order situation, which is a severe concern to China. Beijing has strategic, economic, and political interests in this neighbouring country. China, the emerging power, and peacefully rising state needs peace and stability in its neighbourhood. A peaceful and stable Afghanistan is required for China's rise and fulfilling the "Chinese Dream". The U.S withdrawal has created both opportunities and challenges for China. This study mainly focuses on the question "why China has enlarged its level of involvement in Afghanistan since 2014? what are the opportunities China has and the challenges China has been faced?" Since 2014 China is following four points approach in its foreign policy towards Afghanistan. First, working to bring peace; second, develop its economy; third, strengthen governance and fourth, acquire international support. It has also emerged as the largest foreign investor in Afghanistan. China is struggling on humanitarian base and contributing to the rebuilding of the conflict-ridden state. This study is an attempt to know about China's involvement in Afghanistan since 2014 and highlights the opportunities both the countries have and strive to know about the challenges faced [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological resilience has been, to a certain extent, explained by Western individualistic, and static factors. However, dynamic factors that affect the resilience through the process are proofed to be more important, i.e. culture. In some collectivist nations, like Afghanistan, the meaning of work embedded in what their own culture taught them. Afghan cultural context may provide the foundation for different ways of knowing, including resilience, by people in that nation. So, the main aim of this research is to find out the impact of psychological resilience on work engagement from the Afghan national cultural perspective. In a study of 713 staffs from 27 universities in Afghanistan show that work engagement dimensions are more related to the social and family factor of resilience than individual ones, supporting the cultural cohesion theory of individuals of Afghan people. Resiliency and energy are also one of the critical components of work engagement, vitality as a more individualistic work engagement factor lost its importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

State building is the process of establishing and strengthening the institutions essential for smooth functioning of government and necessary for economic, social, and political development. The process of state building in Afghanistan has been severely affected by wars, terrorism, ethnic and religious conflicts, tyrannies, and dictatorships. After the US occupation in 2001, a serious need of state building was deemed necessary for the durable solution of the issue. Many foreign counties, including Pakistan, contributed into the process of state building. This research aims to analyse the role of Pakistan's aid in state building process in Afghanistan since 2001 and its prospects for peace, stability, and development. Pakistan helped Afghanistan in the fields of education, infrastructure, agriculture, health, and capacity building of Afghanistan's govt personals and officials. She has provided a total aid of 1 billion dollars aid. Since 2001 Pakistan has established many hospitals, educational institutions, rail links, roads, scholarships to Afghan students, capacity building projects in different fields, and training to armed forces and diplomatic professionals of Afghanistan. This type of help is playing very positive role in the process of state building in Afghanistan?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently the international politics is marked by major developments as military intervention, oil politics, strategic power calculations and pre-emptive wars. The American policy contours in Afghanistan consequent to 9/11 were to defeat, dismantle and disrupt Al-Qaeda and Taliban through military engagement in order to have a less violent world. The US military engagement under Operation Enduring Freedom remained of Combating Terrorism till the end of 2014 while in the first half of 2015 it transformed into Operation Freedom Sentinel under Resolute Support Mission in order to restrict the very role of NATO to Assist, Advice and Train the military personnel only. The grounds for investigation are that what are the US policy contours in Afghanistan and how much the US military engagement has worked? What are main problems in the region and reasons for problems also need to be checked. For this research mixed method design is used with descriptive statistics. The hypothesis of study is that Afghanistan is significant for the United States for not only curbing terrorism but also for relative power maximization as expounded by realist paradigm. Despite US military engagement for one and half decade, the momentum of militancy and insurgency inside Afghanistan is mounting whereby IS has also been an addition to the scene and there are various obstacles in peace talks. The viable solution for Afghanistan problem is not military but negotiation based on pluralism, constitutionalism and recognition of minorities' rights?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan is a question mark on its peace and security. There is conflict of perception about ground realities between Afghan resistant groups and US-led coalition as both are claiming their victory. America wants a docile government after its withdrawal and would retain a certain number of soldiers to represent its presence in Afghanistan. The resistant groups are looking for complete withdrawal of foreign troops and pledge to continue their struggle till the last external soldier. Whereas Karzai's government was not in a position to decide the future of America-led forces due to the expiry of term in 2014, as the new government under Ashraf Ghani in 2014 wanted a complete departure of foreign troops. But due to limited capacity of ANSF his government signed a (BSA) with America that permitted US to keep its military till 2014. The number of these forces is very low and Afghan national security forces don't have the capability to restore peace and maintain law and order after the withdrawal of foreign troops and it is definite that the civil war will have domino effect for Pakistan. In such state of affairs Pakistan is in search of sustainable peace in Afghanistan for which there is a need of paradigm shift and that is to link the peace process with economic integration among regional powers i.e China, Russia, Iran and India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan has generated the debate regarding the future scenarios for Afghanistan, the emergent threat of the great game, the emergent security threats and challenges and the role of terrorist organizations. However what has been so far unable to get enough consideration is the impact of withdraw of NATO forces from Afghanistan on the Central Asian neighboring countries of Afghanistan (Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) which share 2000 km long border with Afghanistan and have religious, cultural and ethnic affiliation with Afghanistan. Keeping in view the geo-political and socio-cultural relations between Afghanistan and Central Asia, it is likely to predict that this region will be more affected by any development in Afghanistan. Some scholars and researchers are predicting disaster for the region while some are optimist about the future of Central Asian States after 2014. In this research work two important post NATO exit from Afghanistan scenarios are discussed, drug trafficking and religious extremism and its implications on three geographically contiguous Central Asian countries with Afghanistan. However it is presented here that the ground realities have been changed and religious extremists' elements are not getting enough support and also threat of growing extremism is perceived differently by three states of Central Asia. Further the drug trafficking has been increased; this has forced the neighboring states of Afghanistan to formulate their policies keeping in view the ground realities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afghanistan has a unique and indeed, an immense significance in the strategic calculus of People's Republic of China. The geopolitics of this Chinese neighbourhood has four glaring peculiarities, which include; political, strategic, geographical, and economic. In the rapidly changing global security environment, these aspects demands a deeper cooperation not only between China and Afghanistan but also for the regional integration of all those countries eager for regional peace and harmony, based on mutual respect and sovereignty. The central argument of this research is based on the postulation that in the post 2014 scenario, 'constructive engagement with Afghanistan will serve the Chinese strategic, economic and security interests. In the academic sphere, the argument is strongly supported by the realist school of thought. It directly correlates with China's own national security stakes and economic opportunities. Indeed, a fragmented, fundamentalist and anarchic Afghanistan would stand contrary to China's interest of maintaining stability and defying the ongoing militancy in its autonomous region, Xinjiang. Though security may be the immediate objective, the long-term aim is economic and strategic cooperation with Afghanistan, driven by the liberal paradigm, which China finds as the most crucial and enduring. Such a Chinese engagement will improve security situation and bring economic development in Afghanistan; a win-win situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]