Publication

This paper examines how the sudden surge in violence in January 2018 brought about renewed international media attention to Afghanistan. Key issues addressed include 1) how the growing number of attacks indicates a deteriorating security situation, deepening political crisis and power contestations in the country; 2) how the Taliban and the Islamic State appear to be benefiting from the larger geopolitical rivalry of great powers; 3) the potentially destabilizing effect of the upcoming presidential elections, and more. The text’s author also reviews both the US and India’s strategies towards Afghanistan.