Afghanistan’s instability is often attributed to its strategic location, a perspective that has been widely discussed throughout history. During the Cold War, the country served as a buffer zone between East and West. Before that, it was seen as a gateway for the British to access Russian territory.
In the late 20th century, Afghanistan became a critical route for the Soviet Union’s access to warm waters. However, due to the competing interests of neighboring countries and external powers, it became a center of conflict and geopolitical rivalry.
In the early 21st century, following the US-led invasion, efforts were made to transform Afghanistan into a trade hub linking Central and South Asia. Despite these efforts, the country has struggled to capitalize on its strategic and economic potential, remaining embroiled in ongoing conflict.
To better understand whether Afghanistan’s instability is truly a result of its geographical location, we spoke with Professor Arian Sharifi, a specialist in international security studies at Princeton University, who shared his valuable insights.
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