Strategic Overlapping in the Region about Afghanistan

Ideological motivations against US-led western presence in Afghanistan maybe considered a driving force behind the war.But it isalso undeniable that divergent geostrategic interestsat bilateral levels have been in play to help this force sustain the longest war in US history. Now indications are that situation is becoming more complex with other countries also turningassertive in the country. Russia, China and Pakistan tripartite meeting in Moscow on 27 December 2016 and the expanded round of it again on 15 February 2017 characterizethis complexity and show strategic overlapping among these countries vis-à-vis Afghanistan.

Russia, China and Pakistantry to urge a new perceptionof the security situation in through this meeting. This perception paints ISIL as the real threat and the strategy espoused to fight it goes contrary to Kabul’s reiterated argument that the solution to the ongoing war rests in reaching understanding among the regional states. Recently, there has been growing preferential treatment in the region in favor of non-state actors and prioritization offight against one militant group (Islamic State, Khorasan Chapter, ISK)andstaking national security interests on another (Taliban).