ENDING EXTERNAL MILITARY INTERVENTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN: EXIT DILEMMAS, POST-WITHDRAWAL LEGACIES, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PAKISTAN–AFGHANISTAN RELATIONS

Abstract

The withdrawal of foreign military forces from Afghanistan marked the end of one of the longest periods of external intervention in modern history and ushered in a new phase of regional political and security dynamics. This paper analyzes the difficulties in bringing external military interventions to a close in Afghanistan, with emphasis on the dilemmas of intervening powers as they tried to withdraw, the long-term political, economic and security impacts of external military interventions on Afghanistan, and the implications for Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.The study is based on a qualitative research approach, and utilizesa range of sources including official documents, policy reports, academic literature and regional security assessments to assess the impacts of the post-withdrawal context.The study contends that the pullout of foreign troops did not end Afghanistan's military presence, but rather did not address the more fundamental governance, security, and economic problems.Rather, the departure brought new challenges and uncertainties such as humanitarian crisis, border security issues, and threatof terrorism, refugee migrations, and the changing power dynamics in the region.The study also examines the impact of these developments on Pak-Afghan relations, identifying commonalities and longstanding tensions, such as border management, cross-border militancy, and economic ties.The study discussesabout the general debate surrounding the issue of military withdrawal, post conflict state reconstruction and regional security in south Asia for a detailed analysis of the changing dynamics between Pakistan and Afghanistan after the external military intervention.The study find outthat the post-withdrawal phase affords some opportunities and challenges to bilateral relations.Constructive engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, effective security cooperation and regional action and coordination on the long-term impacts of foreign intervention are essential factors for sustainable peace and regional stability.Future studies recommended that, examine the changing roles of Pakistan, China, Iran, Russia, and Central Asian states in Afghanistan’s political and security landscape following the withdrawal of US military alliance.