Afghanistan Post US Withdrawal: Implications for Regional Stability

Abstract

The withdrawal of the US and allied forces have a detrimental and long-lasting impact on the Afghan and adjoining regions. The study underlines consequences germinating with U.S. drawdown impact on Afghanistan, in the backdrop of its historical perspective, leading to the present situation while reviewing the alignment of its neighbors around a positive priority for a stable political transition on its recovery, reconstruction and stability. The withdrawal enabled Taliban to inflict a devastating defeat on the armed forces of Afghanistan. Thus, they took over Kabul without facing any stiff resistance from any faction. Since then, Taliban have been ruling Kabul without facing any security challenge from any ethnic faction from inside. However, Taliban rule has intensified the security structure of the region. The changing nature of regional security has impacted the internal security situation of Pakistan once again. Furthermore, this article highlights Afghan variables while identifying possible scenarios in keeping with the aspiration of its people and internal dynamics. It also underlines prospects of a regional consensus for peace and stability inside Afghanistan while identifying the role and influence of regional/ global powers in keeping with their interests and concerns.

 Key words: Afghanistan, Taliban, regional security, peace, insurgency, stability.