Afghanistan has been a proxy battle ground for regional and international conflicts for more than 150 years. This article highlights that little has changed as we move into the 21st Century. The comments re: Iran by Rory Stewart, a former diplomat currently living in Afghanistan, are worth reflecting on for a moment - Stewart believes that:

"They play very, very long strategic games, and do a lot of very traditional interference in neighbouring countries in order to try to defend their own national interests."

While Stewart is correct, it is important to note that many countries have used and are using Afghanistan for their own ends. This is why Afghanistan is such a pivotal component of NEASFram.

# posted by Raj @ 6/12/2007 07:54:00 AM