US WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN – INTERESTS OF MAJOR PLAYERS AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PAKISTAN
Abstract
Afghanistan has been the center of attention of different superpowers over the past few decades. It proved to be the last battleground of the erstwhile Soviet Union. From the Soviet Union to the US and the varying interests of other regional and global powers (including China, India, Iran, and Pakistan), Afghanistan has been a hard nut to crack for many foreign actors. However, the national and strategic interests of all these different nations make Afghanistan relevant from different perspectives. Selfish national interest has been the main driving force in the formulation of Afghan policy of different nations. Hardly anyone took interest in the greater good of Afghanistan itself. Hegemonic policies of the US notwithstanding, there is no one, not even the UN, in charge internationally who could act as a monitor in the international system. There is no police force, military system, or courts to check on noncompliance with international laws. There is no established hierarchy in the international system, thus states continue to live in a state of anarchy. In the case of Afghanistan, various states have been manipulating and seeking their national interests over the years, with no international organization being a monitor. This part highlights the relevance of Afghanistan to the interests of major players, especially China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and the US in contemporary times. It is mainly descriptive and by using qualitative means of data collection and analysis it tries to identify the challenges and opportunities that are emerging for the major player’s given the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Different possible scenarios that may emerge from the evolving situation in Afghanistan are considered with appropriate policy recommendations for Pakistan to protect and promote her national interests in the emerging geostrategic environment. Pakistan should adopt a balanced approach in courting the major players regarding the evolving situation in Afghanistan and thereby ensure its national interests.