THE PASHTUN FACTOR IN AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN RELATIONS
Keywords:
Pashtuns; Afghanistan; Pakistan; Durand Line; TTP; Taliban; Pashtunistan; diaspora; strategic depth; security; independence; autonomyAbstract
This article analyzes the historical formation of the Pashtun factor in relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, its impact on state security, and its consequences. The study examines the process from the demarcation of the Durand Line to the cross-border demographic weight of the Pashtuns, the activities of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Afghan Taliban, the dynamics of the Pashtun diaspora, and Pakistan's policies within the framework of its strategic depth doctrine. The Taliban's rise to power in Afghanistan in 2021 and its impact on regional stability are analyzed separately. The article also discusses legitimization discourses based on Article 51 of the UN Charter and international counter-terrorism resolutions, and proposes an integrated model of political, legal, and economic approaches. The analysis shows that the Pashtun issue cannot be resolved through military measures alone; rather, reducing economic inequality, recognizing cultural rights, and developing cross-border cooperation are essential directions.
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