POST-9/11 NATION-BUILDING IN AFGHANISTAN: AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONTESTED ROLE OF THE REGIONAL STATES

Abstract

This study examines the role of regional players in the violent state collapse of Afghanistan (first in 1996 and then in 2021), with a focus on the complex relationship between internal vulnerabilities and external interventions (from 1979 to 2021). Afghanistan’s strategic location as “the heart of Asia” has made it vulnerable to foreign interventions that repeatedly undermined its sovereignty and stability. Understanding these regional subtleties is crucial for informing future policy approaches and breaking cycles of external interference. The research employed a qualitative methodology, using both descriptive and analytical approaches, to examine historical patterns through secondary data sources, including academic literature, government reports, and publications from international organisations. Data analysis employed thematic content analysis and historical comparative analysis across three periods: the Soviet era (1979-1989), the civil war period (1989-2001), and the post-9/11 intervention period (2001-2021). The findings suggest enduring patterns of regional engagement, with Pakistan's reported strategic depth policy, Iran's sectarian considerations, and various competing regional interests appearing to contribute to challenges in Afghanistan's stability and governance. Internal governance challenges, such as ethnic tensions, corruption issues, and institutional weaknesses, may have created vulnerabilities that external actors were able to influence. The study concludes that Afghanistan’s state failures stem from complex webs of regional interventions that exacerbate internal weaknesses. Recommendations emphasise addressing both internal governance challenges and managing regional competition while fostering constructive cooperation among neighbouring powers for a durable peace and a self-sustaining state in Afghanistan.