Volume & Issue: Volume 30, Special issue on Afghanistan, Autumn 2024, Pages 3-2010 
Number of Articles: 9
The challenges of establishing a national government in Afghanistan: with an emphasis on the role of regional powers
 and transregional (2001-2021)

The challenges of establishing a national government in Afghanistan: with an emphasis on the role of regional powers and transregional (2001-2021)

Pages 3-42

Mohammad Tamim Haidari, Reza Simbar

Abstract The purpose of this article is to examine the international challenges of establishing a national government in Afghanistan, which in the last two decades (2001-2021), under the influence of the competition of regional countries (such as Pakistan and India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Turkey, Central Asian countries) and trans-regional powers (such as America, Russia, China and the European Union) have been formed and consolidated. In response to the fundamental question of this article, what are the international challenges of establishing a national government in Afghanistan? It is hypothesized that geopolitical rivalries, the Durand conflict and the ISIS group in Afghanistan are among the most important international challenges to the creation of a national government in Afghanistan, and regional factors (such as Pakistan and India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Turkey, Central Asian countries) and extra-regional (such as America, Russia, China and European Union) have been affected. Competitions, enmities, supremacy and security dynamics of regional countries and great powers in the geography of Afghanistan have caused this country to face international challenges in creating a national and comprehensive government. Cannot be the founder of the national government in Afghanistan. The mentioned problem has been investigated using the theoretical framework of "Regional Security Complex Theory" and analytical descriptive method. The obtained results indicate that the geopolitical competition, the Durand conflict and the activities of the ISIS group in Afghanistan, with the influence of regional and extra-regional variables, will challenge this country in the period of twenty years (2001-2021) Has drawn.

•	Centralized Federalism  and the Political Future of Afghanistan

• Centralized Federalism and the Political Future of Afghanistan

Pages 43-66

Seyed Mohammad Mehdi Mortazavi, Mohammad Reza Aqharebparast

Abstract The long-term political conflict in Afghanistan over the acquisition of power reached its peak in 2022 with the fall of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban's resumption of power. However, to find the roots of the many causes of this event, we must consider the geographical and ethnic-racial features of Afghanistan, along with the efforts of the modern governments of this country in the direction of nation-state building in the context of political history, as well as the role of neighbors and regional and extra-regional powers. In addition, centralized/decentralized and federal/non-federal governance models should also be discussed in theory and practice. In this article, an attempt is made to answer this question: why can the governance model based on centralized federalism be a desirable political solution to end the long-term power conflict in Afghanistan? According to the research hypothesis, due to the mosaic fabric of society in Afghanistan and the preference of ethnic tendencies over national tendencies and interests, the model of federalism and at the same time the existence of a powerful central federal government can be presented as a desirable political solution. The research results that the factors of the fall and collapse of the Afghan government were the high level of government concentration, the lack of attention to the participation of political groups and ethnic groups in power, and the lack of use of the capacities of local governments.

Afghanistans security in the light of its social system

Afghanistan's security in the light of its social system

Pages 67-96

Mokhtar Rahimi, Mohsen Eslami

Abstract Anti-security variables for any government are considered fundamental priorities for its survival. Therefore, the countries' policymakers focus on identifying and eliminating the variables. Afghanistan's social system has certain variables and entanglements that have increased the scope of this complexity with the intensification of the waves of modern civilization and its spread to this environment. This article focuses on understanding the social roots of security in Afghanistan. Therefore, the current research seeks to answer the question, how does the social system of Afghanistan affect the security coefficient of Afghanistan? According to the hypothesis of the research, Afghanistan has an active three-gap society, which leads to tension in Afghanistan. The findings of the study show that this society with three Gaps creates a continuous cycle of tension, causing its consequences to be exported to the surrounding countries. Therefore, the internal security of Afghanistan and the security of Afghanistan's neighbors are affected by the changes and developments in Afghanistan's social context. This research is developmental the research method is qualitative, and the type of document analysis and its tool is the Note-taking method.

Afghanistans political economy in the post-Taliban era (2021-2024)

Afghanistan's political economy in the post-Taliban era (2021-2024)

Pages 97-128

Ramin Fakhari

Abstract In 2021, with the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan, the Taliban returned to power after nearly twenty years. The return of the Taliban has had various geopolitical, social, political, and economic effects on Afghanistan and the region. This article is dedicated to answering a crucial question: what effects has the Taliban's rise to power had on Afghanistan's economy? It collects and categorizes library resources analyses previously written in this field and analyzes Afghanistan's economic data during the Taliban era. The central hypothesis is based on the premise that the Taliban's return to the political scene in Afghanistan has had negative effects on the country's internal economic indicators and the welfare level of its people, leading to the creation of recession, poverty, and unemployment. However, from a regional economic perspective, the Taliban has managed to maintain its trade levels by exporting agricultural products and raw materials. Although the Taliban has not successfully reduced unemployment, alleviated poverty, decreased recession, or increased production and business within Afghanistan, it has managed to maintain its trade relations with neighboring countries compared to the republic era.

Peace that led to collapse; A look at the external factors of the fall of the Afghan government

Peace that led to collapse; A look at the external factors of the fall of the Afghan government

Pages 129-154

Nesar Ahmad Sroosh, Sayed Masoud Mousavi Shafaee

Abstract Emphasizing the role of external factors, this research seeks to investigate peace, which led to the collapse of the Afghan government. After the American presence in Afghanistan during this period of twenty years, most of the political priorities, the discussion of war and peace, and the discussion of terrorism in Afghanistan were determined and assigned by the United States of America. Finally, the fate of this country was determined by different parties in the Doha Agreement in 2020. This agreement and the withdrawal of the American military from the Bagram military base made the fall of the Afghan government certain on August 15, 2021. What important factors play a role in the downfall of the Afghan government? This research is faced with the hypothesis that in addition to various internal issues, the collapse of the Afghan government was caused by external factors. The findings of the research show that the Doha Peace Agreement is a factor in initiating the Taliban; The withdrawal of foreign military forces is a factor in creating a power vacuum. Support for the Taliban has been the three key factors for the collapse of the government in Afghanistan.

The Impact of Russias strategy in Central Asia on Security of Afghanistan (2001-2020)

The Impact of Russia's strategy in Central Asia on Security of Afghanistan (2001-2020)

Pages 155-178

said mohammad taqi mosavi

Abstract Central Asia is considered an influential strategic bull's eyes from Russia's point of view, so the mutability in this adjoining country of the region is aforethought Russia's insecurity. Russia seriously fought to reduce instability in Central Asia to ensure stable security in countries bordering Afghanistan by creating a collective security alliance or coalition entente. From 2001 to 2020, we were on the verge of the collapse of the central government of Afghanistan; Russia initiated various security policies for the region according to Afghanistan's security conditions.  interacting with America for fighting against terrorism; this country was the protagonist for overthrowing the Taliban government in 2001, but then to cooperating with the Taliban for the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan in 2021; Russia made it as a part of its security strategy. Russia’s strategy explained a realist theoretical framework that derived from Mersheimer's bellicose realistic pragmatism. The main query of this research is: "What was the Strategic impact of Russia in Central Asia on the Security condition of Afghanistan during 2001-2020?"  "Russia's strategy in Central Asia after the overthrowing of Taliban aimed for boosting and strengthening security in Central Asia, as considering as prevailing conditions in Afghanistan." Russia's concern about the smuggling of narcotics and the influx of extremists from Afghanistan to Central Asia persuaded this government to fight against terrorist groups. Russia tried in its strategy to prioritize the security of the borders of Central Asia, which is adjacent to this country. This research explained the descriptive-analytical method and library resources.

The Political Economy of Chinas Foreign Policy Towards the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

The Political Economy of China's Foreign Policy Towards the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Pages 179-202

sayed akbar sajjadi, majidreza momenimi

Abstract Afghanistan has an important position for the countries of the region, including China, in terms of having rich natural resources and having an important transit position as a link between regions such as Central Asia, South Asia, and West Asia. With the Taliban once again dominating Afghanistan, China's relations with this group have entered a new stage, and Afghanistan is still the focus of China's foreign policy. In this regard, this research aims to examine the trends governing China's political economy and its impact on the country's foreign policy towards the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Therefore, this research tries to use the qualitative method and sample research method to address the basic question of how China's political economy has directed the country's foreign policy towards the Taliban. In response to this hypothesis, China's political economy, with its neo-mercantilist approach and centralized capitalism, has directed the foreign policy of this country to serve the economic interests and access to Afghanistan's natural resources in interaction with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The findings of the research show that the upward trend of China's industrial growth requires natural resources for the consumption of domestic industries. In addition, natural reserves are considered essential for the continuation of China's economic growth. Therefore, the necessity of controlling foreign natural resources and transit situations has been inevitable for China's economic development. In the meantime, Afghanistan, with its natural reserves and convenient transit location, can play a strategic role in China's economic interests.