Category: West Asia
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Central Asia: Balancing Great Power Rivalries, Regional Security, and Economic Potential Introduction Central Asia, bordered by major powers like Russia, China, and Iran, is a region rich in natural resources, cultural diversity, and strategic importance. The five former Soviet republics—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan—have pursued varying paths since the dissolution of the USSR in…
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Afghanistan: A Nation at the Crossroads of Empires and Endurance Introduction Afghanistan is a land of remarkable beauty and resilience, yet it has also been the stage for some of modern history’s most devastating conflicts. Strategically located at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, Afghanistan has been caught in the ambitions of empires, the…
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The United States and Afghanistan: Intervention, Withdrawal, and the Legacy of a 20-Year War Introduction The relationship between the United States and Afghanistan is one of intervention, transformation, and complex consequences. What began with the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 in response to the September 11 attacks evolved into one of America’s longest and most expensive…
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Bangladesh and India: Friendship, Tensions, and a Complex Border Relationship Introduction The relationship between Bangladesh and India is rooted in shared history, cultural ties, and a complex geography marked by one of the longest borders in the world. Following Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971, with substantial support from India, the two neighbors forged a…
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Afghanistan and Russia: A Legacy of Conflict, Influence, and Geopolitical Complexity Introduction The relationship between Afghanistan and Russia is one of history, conflict, and complex strategic interests. From the Soviet invasion in 1979 to Russia’s evolving role in Afghanistan’s current instability, the two nations are bound by decades of tumultuous interactions that have left lasting…
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Balochistan: Struggle, Resources, and Regional Power Play Introduction Balochistan, a region that stretches across Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, is both geopolitically strategic and resource-rich. Known for its vast deserts, rugged mountains, and sparse population, Balochistan is home to the Baloch people, an ethnically distinct group with a long history of struggle for autonomy. While the…
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China and India: A Strategic Rivalry and the Fight for Regional Dominance Introduction China and India, the world’s two most populous countries, share a long and complex history shaped by cultural exchange, competition, and an uneasy coexistence along their disputed border in the Himalayas. While the two nations once aligned as champions of non-aligned and…
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Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan: Border Disputes, Resource Struggles, and the Quest for Stability in Central Asia Introduction Nestled in the heart of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are two mountainous nations with deep historical, cultural, and ethnic ties. Yet, despite these shared roots, the two countries have long been embroiled in complex border disputes that periodically…
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India and Pakistan: A Clash of Nations, A History of Rivalry Introduction The story of India and Pakistan is one of division, conflict, and enduring rivalry, with roots that go deeper than politics and cross into culture, religion, and identity. Since their independence in 1947, these two nuclear-armed neighbors have been locked in a cycle…