Moscow’s Afghan Confusion
2018-11-08
By Dr. Davood Moradian
Russia’s pursuit of “great power” status and its growing concern over terrorism and narcotic drugs have pushed it to re-enter the Afghan conflict, as demonstrated by the April 15 regional conference on Afghanistan in Moscow. Kabul and Moscow have had complicated relations during the last two centuries: Russia was the first country to recognise Afghan
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The Illusion of Afghanistan's Upcoming Parliamentary Elections
2018-10-18
By Nafay Choudhury
On October 20, 2018, Afghans will head to the polls for the third round of parliamentary elections since the ouster of the Taliban in 2001. The steady accusations of fraud, corruption, lack of transparency, and undue interference in the days leading up to voting underscore growing disillusionment about the electoral process in Afghanistan. A new biometric voting system,
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Role of Parliaments in engaging Afghanistan in Central Asian Cooperation Frameworks
2018-10-15
By Abdul Basir Azimi
Is Afghanistan a part of South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East or a part of all of them? The historical relationship between Herat, Balkh Samarkand, Bokhara and Merv (or Merw) and biographies of the figures like Amir Ali Sher-Nawaie, Nasir Khosrow, Avicenna can better illustrate the significance of what Afghanistan shares with Central Asia.
Indeed, Afghanistan and Central Asia have
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Can Saudi Arabia play peacemaker in Afghanistan?
2018-10-06
By Rupert Stone
The Saudis are making moves in Afghanistan, courting the Taliban and trying to cement its role as a dealmaker. Will Saudi's vested interests trump its role as a mediator?
Afghan government officials reportedly met with members of the Taliban in Saudi Arabia last week to address security in Afghanistan&rsquo
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What are prospects of limited engagement between Iran, US in Afghanistan?
2018-09-27
By Mohsen Shariatinia
The administration of US President Donald Trump has in recent months increased its efforts to advance the peace process in Afghanistan. To this end, and for the first time ever, the United States has entered into direct negotiations with the Taliban. Washington has also engaged in more talks with the European coalition and the Afghan government as well as beginning an
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