US-Russian Rivalry and Political Instability in Afghanistan (2001-2021)

Abstract

Political instability and rapid and immediate changes have existed throughout the history of Afghanistan. These instabilities can be attributed to various factors, each of which has played a role in the political instability in this country. Among the factors of political instability in Afghanistan are the great powers that have competed with each other due to the geopolitical position of this country and have caused political stability in Afghanistan. Great powers, including the United States and Russia, with their interventions in Afghanistan and the proxy wars they have waged in this country, have caused changes in the political system of Afghanistan and have made political stability in this country difficult throughout history. The question raised in this research is what role did the United States, the former Soviet Union, and today's Russia play in the political instability of Afghanistan? The hypothesis of the research is that great powers, including the United States and Russia, have played a role in the political instability of Afghanistan and have caused political instability in this country. The research findings show that the support of the United States and Russia for their preferred political parties and elites has prevented political stability from taking shape in Afghanistan and has made the country a battlefield for proxy wars and geopolitical conflicts between major powers, including the United States and Russia. Afghanistan’s important geopolitical position in the new world order has attracted the attention of major powers and has placed the country in the spotlight.