The Impact of Regional Factors on the Declining Effectiveness of Afghanistan’s Foreign Policy during the Ashraf Ghani Administration (2014–2021)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58342/ghalibqj.V.15.I.2.5Keywords:
Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, Foreign Policy, Regional Factors, Regional Security Complex, Foreign Policy EffectivenessAbstract
Background and Objective: Afghanistan’s foreign policy during the presidency of Ashraf Ghani (2014–2021), despite an emphasis on regionalism, economic connectivity, and expanded cooperation with neighboring countries, failed to achieve a desirable level of effectiveness. The main problem addressed in this study was to explain the role of regional security factors and dynamics in constraining the effectiveness of Afghanistan’s foreign policy. The significance of this issue stems from the fact that many of Afghanistan’s foreign-policy challenges, ranging from the peace process to relations with Pakistan, India, Iran, China, and Russia, have developed within an interconnected security environment. The objective of this study was to examine how the regional security structure affected Afghanistan’s capacity to achieve its foreign-policy objectives during the period under study.
Method: In terms of its nature, this study is descriptive-analytical and adopts a qualitative approach. Data were collected through documentary and library research based on Persian- and English-language scholarly sources, reliable reports, and official documents. The temporal scope of the study covers 2014–2021, while its geographical scope encompasses Afghanistan and its relevant regional security environment.
Results: The findings indicate that competition between India and Pakistan, mistrust between Kabul and Islamabad, divergent security perceptions of Iran, China, and Russia, and the influence of extra-regional powers hindered the formation of a sustainable security consensus.
Conclusion: Consequently, Afghanistan’s economic regionalism was unable to transform the competitive and security-oriented regional structure into sustainable cooperation. Nevertheless, moving toward a balanced and realistic foreign policy, strengthening regional diplomacy, and promoting confidence-building measures can be effective.
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