The Roots of Crisis in Afghanistan: The Question of Southern Borders

The current political and security situation in Afghanistan seems quite complex, with little promising outlook for an end to the crisis. Given the current gloomy outlook, the present article tries to analyze the situation and look for possible ways out of the crisis. It addresses the question of southern borders - from a historical viewpoint - as one of the main causes of enduring crisis in Afghanistan. In light of the historical background of the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the tense, difficult relations between the two countries in this regard, the focus in the article will be on the developments in the border region after the fall of the Taliban regime and the occupation of the country, and not the post-9/11 developments in Afghanistan per se. In the author’s view, preservation of the status quo in Afghanistan might help provide the necessary milieu over time for finding a comprehensive solution towards resolving the crisis and establishment of peace and stability in the country.