Historically, Afghanistan’s political stability was solidified by Amir Abdul Rahman Khan in the late 19th century. This period marked the beginning of a series of leaders—including his son Amir Habibullah Khan, Ghazi Amanullah Khan, Nader Khan, and Muhammad Zahir Shah—who contributed to a century of relative stability.
During this era, Afghanistan established key institutions and constitutional frameworks essential for the governance of a modern state.
However, Afghan scholars argue that the communist coup of 1357 (1979) severely undermined this stability. The ensuing decades of conflict, including the rise of communist and Islamist factions, dismantled the political foundations built by previous leaders, plunging the country into prolonged instability.
Efforts to restore political stability began anew after 2002, leading to Afghanistan’s first peaceful transfer of power in decades. Yet, despite these efforts, the stability achieved was fragile.
The subsequent collapse of the established system and the alteration of national symbols further disrupted the country’s political equilibrium. It is important to recognize that while the absence of active conflict might be perceived as stability, true security and stability involve much more.
To gain deeper insights into this complex situation, we interviewed Professor Omar Sharifi, an anthropologist from Afghan American University, to explore his perspectives on Afghanistan’s political landscape.
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