Author: Mohammed Masoom Stanekzai – Former head of Negotiating Team, Currently a Honorary Fellow at Asia Institute of Melbourne University.
This year’s UN International Day of Peace was commemorated while the world is facing increasing tensions, deep distrust, and multiple crises—crises that have advanced to the brink of seriously threatening life on Earth. Changing this situation requires collective action from humanity in order to transform this course.
Why has peace become extremely difficult?
The 2025 Global Peace Index shows a significant decline in global peace, marking the lowest level since World War II. Competition among major global powers is disrupting the world order without any consensus on a new order. Wars and conflicts have become more deadly, destructive, and devastating. Global military expenditures in 2024 reached the highest level of 2.7 trillion dollars and continue to rise. Meanwhile, the world faces an annual shortfall of 4 trillion dollars needed to achieve sustainable development goals.
In the latest report of the United Nations Secretary-General, it was warned that increasing military budgets do not strengthen security, but instead fuel arms races and divert resources from vital areas of development.
With the development of smart weaponry, no country is safe from threats to its national sovereignty, and international deterrence mechanisms have weakened—something that has increased the risk of global tensions. The United Nations also no longer has the previous strength to preserve global peace, as its key members are in conflict.
Afghanistan: A Mirror of Global and Regional Tensions
The successive crises in Afghanistan are a clear example of global and regional tensions that, after the Cold War, have once again entered a new stage. In the past five decades, Afghanistan’s political regime has been changed seven times through force and foreign intervention, diverting the country from the path of sustainable development and displacing millions of people.
Extremism, once a tool for achieving the short-term goals of foreign powers, has now become an uncontrollable factor that has trapped not only its victims but also its supporters. Afghans have not only been victims of war but also hostages to the geopolitical tensions and rivalries of major powers and regional countries. This cycle has deepened violence, distrust, and social divides.
Today, Afghanistan is one of the darkest places for women, the most dangerous place for freedom of expression, and the poorest country in the world. More than half of the country’s population lives below the poverty line.
The Impact of International and Regional Rivalries on Peace and Stability in Afghanistan
Some of the key factors affecting peace and stability in Afghanistan are:
1. Competition of major powers: Tension among the U.S., China, and Russia has impacted the global order and made Afghanistan’s geographic position once again a center of rivalry. Any decision in this regard must be based on the national interests of the Afghan people, not group or military deals.
2. Tensions between Iran and the U.S.: These tensions, along with rivalries among Gulf states, have influenced regional politics and affected Afghanistan’s situation.
3. India–Pakistan conflict: This tension is one of the key factors prolonging the crisis in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s policy focuses on keeping Afghanistan unstable, while India seeks a strong Afghan state with close relations.
4. Activity of terrorist groups: Groups such as ISIS and al-Qaeda, in cooperation with regional networks, pose a serious threat to the security of Afghanistan and the region.
5. Investment in natural resources: Lack of transparency in contracts, corruption, and misuse of resources can become factors of instability and new conflicts. An example is the situation of gold mines in Badakhshan and Takhar, which, despite vast potential, have turned into sources of crisis due to poor management and local tenssions.
Challenges to Achieving Peace in Afghanistan
The experience of Afghanistan and similar countries has shown that prioritizing military solutions instead of addressing the root causes of conflicts has made lasting peace impossible. Imposed foreign agreements often end in failure and deepen crises.
The main solution is broad political dialogue, inclusivity of all factions, and long-term investment. The Taliban, as the current rulers, bear heavy responsibility on this path. Ignoring the will of the people and continuing one-sided policies will once again turn Afghanistan into an arena for global and regional power rivalries.
The Role of Education and Peace Culture
Decades of war and extremism have normalized violence and weakened social trust. Education is the foundation and cornerstone of stability and national independence. The role of women and girls in strengthening peace is historic and vital. However, current Taliban policies have turned Afghanistan into a dark and unstable environment for women and girls.
Promoting a culture of peace and coexistence requires long-term investment in education, media, and civil society. This path must begin with families and schools, while civil society organizations, intellectuals, writers, and social and religious leaders play active roles in it.
The Path Toward Sustainable Peace
To achieve sustainable peace, the path must move from “negative peace”—merely stopping war—toward “positive peace,” which is based on justice, inclusivity, respect for human rights, and broad dialogue. The eight key principles for achieving positive peace are:
1. Fundamental cessation of war
2. Establishment of an inclusive, legitimate, and lawful government
3. Fair distribution of resources
4. Acceptance of others’ human rights
5. Creation of a healthy environment for trade and investment growth
6. Prevention of corruption
7. Open environment for the press and expansion of a culture of peace and coexistence
8. Establishment of good relations with neighbors and countries of the world
The beginning of a dialogue process at different levels, both inside and at regional and global levels, can be the starting point of this path. This dialogue must respect the will of the Afghan people, include the participation of all political and social factions, and be supported by the international community.
The Taliban, as the current rulers, bear heavy responsibility. Continuing authoritarianism and ignoring the demands of the people will drag Afghanistan into deeper crises. The only way out is to change approaches and accept the role of all segments of society in building a stable future.
True peace will be realized when justice, inclusivity, coexistence, and constructive dialogue replace violence, extremism, and discrimination. Even in the most difficult conditions, tomorrow can be better than today if we choose solidarity, coordination, hope, and acceptance of differences. This path is difficult, but it is the culture of peace only way to reach lasting peace and stability.
Note: This article is translated from Dari. It was first published on the Amo TV website.