Iran's interest in afghanistan books

Lately, russia has increased its involvement in afghanistan. Role of religious texts in shaping the foreign policy of islamic republic of ira n discourse. Irans press tv put the trip to turkmenistan in context of dday in this case referring to may 12, the date on which u. Nation building in afghanistan washington, potomac books, 2009, james. Jul 21, 2017 the writer is author of several books about afghanistan, pakistan and central asia, including pakistan on the brink get alerts on us when a new story is published get alerts. Iran s supreme leader ayatollah khamenei later accused the united states of creating isil and of joining saudi arabia in funding and directing isil in addition to other terrorist organizations.

After the 1979 revolution, iranian policy on afghanistan went through four phases. It has long battled drugrunning on its border, it has for years played host to more than 2 million afghan refugees, and after the murder of nine of its diplomats in mazare sharif in 1998, iran nearly went to war against the taliban regime. In a stable afghanistan, a priority for tehran should be increasing trade between the two countries. It was concerned over the projects economic viability, especially in the context of international sanctions on iran over.

The houthis seized control of sanaa, the capital, and yemeni government operations. When us president donald trump delivered his iran strategy speech in october. Security, diplomacy and american influence was published in 2015. Includes information on farsi persian, and on various consular matters including visas. Jan 10, 2017 iran, mattis, and the real threat to u. Afghan schools have received thousands of iranian books, many of which. At the same time, stalled and highly problematic relations between iran and.

Iran s northern geopolitical interests are complex but can be defined in terms of their geographical dimensions. Moreover, iran has been successful in establishing a security and economic bufferzone in the western province of herat. Usips scott worden discusses the complex relationship between the two countries, how iran has built influence there, and where the u. Iran is buying political influence in afghanistan massoumeh. Pakistans strategic interests, afghanistan and the. We will not remove any content for bad language alone, or for being critical of a book. Americas iran deal exit could wreck the afghanistanpakistan. Iran s future in the aftermath of the september 11 terrorist attacks on the united states has been the subject of an intense debate among iranians, both inside and outside of our country. Tehran can help advance these interests in post2014 afghanistan. Oil, gas and the us interest in af ghanistan oil and gas are not the direct causes of the war in afghanistan, but understanding the motives of longterm us policy is important. Iranian president mohammed khatami mooted the topic of india developing chabahar into a trade and transshipment hub during his visit to new delhi in 2003. Ruhollah khomeini ruhollah khomeini centre greeting supporters after returning to tehran, february 1979. Mar 25, 2010 afghanistans disarray and the fallout for pakistan. Copyright interests section of the islamic republic of iran washington d.

In the first phase, which coincided with the 19791989 soviet occupation, iran called for a soviet withdrawal and aided afghan shiites. Books set in afghanistan showing of 112 a thousand splendid suns by. The united states cannot afford to have economic, social and political development in afghanistan derailed by the rapacity of russia and china. Unemployment in afghanistan is about 27 percent, so shutting off opportunities for work in iran puts pressure on the kabul government. It is too simple to suggest that irans paramount interest in afghanistan is to.

Irans policy towards afghanistan usf scholar commons. Both countries were deeply involved in irans economy and trade, and both interfered extensively in irans internal affairs and politics. Mar 27, 2012 the forces of the united states and the western countries should pull out of afghanistan in 2014. The case in point is the antiimperialist and antimonarchical revolutionary ethos turning the islamic republic against both the united states us and its arab allies in the. While some iranian elites may share that goal, the prevailing israeli view on irans syrian presence misreads actual iranian objectives and tehrans current prioritization of. Afghanistans recent history of conflict has changed the complexion and psyche of its people, introducing a culture of extremism, bigotry and intolerance.

Irans activities in afghanistan have not drawn the outside attention that its operations in iraq, syria, yemen, and the persian gulf attract. Only 400 strong when the twin towers fell, damaged by the u. While pakistan enjoys a trade surplus with afghanistan, irans trade with afghanistan is far more imbalanced in its own favor and it has shown little interest in opening its market to afghan goods. Iran also allows nonrefugees to work in iran, but it uses temporary work visas as leverage over kabul. Yet, despite all of this, the role iran plays in afghanistan is relatively constructive. Irans interest in bahrains shia heritage began in 1602 during the iranian safavid dynasty, which is considered the beginning of modern persian history and is known for the establishment of the twelver school of shia islam. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. The us interests in afghanistan and central asia russia beyond. Four senior iranian commandos were among the scores of dead, afghan intelligence officials said, noting their funerals in iran. President donald trumps january waiver of sanctions on iran. At stake is the success of president ghanis government and the infant democratic institutions in kabul. The real threat to us interests in afghanistan fair observer. Saudi arabia, iran, and the fortyyear rivalry that unraveled culture, religion, and collective memory in the middle east. What is irans interest in maintaining relations with.

Iran s policy toward the gulf can be seen in three historical stages. Irans 19thearly 20th century history with britain and russiathe soviet union included wars with both these powers. Irans interests in afghanistan provide opportunities for cooperation. Iran continues to raise concerns in washington that it is intent on destabilizing postwar iraq. Us military expansion and intervention in afghanistan. India at first embraced the idea enthusiastically but then its interest waned. As neighbors with a 585mile frontier, iran and afghanistan have connections spanning centuries. Security in afghanistan continues to deteriorate, contributing to a significant escalation of the guerrilla war. Since 1979the year of irans revolution and the soviet invasion of afghanistanrelations between tehran and kabul have ebbed and flowed. While iran wanted a sphere of in fluence in afghanistan, pakistan aimed and still does for strategic depth. The years between 1980 and 1989 have to be viewed as iran s era of revolutionary tumult. Iranian revolution, also called islamic revolution, persian enqelabe eslami, popular uprising in iran in 197879 that resulted in the toppling of the monarchy on february 11, 1979, and led to the establishment of an islamic republic. Three regions of direct interest to iran are the caucasus, the caspian sea, and central asia. Moscow and tehran since the fall of the shah potomac books.

Alqaeda has rebuilt itselfwith irans help the atlantic. This study examines irans historical interests in afghanistan and its current policies. Oct 26, 2010 iran s interest in afghanistan should be seen in the context of its ambitions as a major regional power and as part of iran s ongoing regional competition with the us. Iran maintained close relations with pakistan during much of the cold war.

Milani since 1979, iran s objectives in afghanistan have changed as afghanistan s domestic landscape changed. Tehran massed some 200,000 troops on its eastern border, but the threat only made the taliban more belligerent. The only content we will consider removing is spam, slanderous attacks on other members, or extremely offensive content eg. Houthi leaders traveled to tehran and signed agreements to establish regular air service between the. Pakistani society paid a heavy price for taking an unwarranted interest in the affairs of afghanistan. Aug 16, 2019 the united states and iran share an interest in ensuring that a departure of the more than 20,000 u.

Asia times us role shifts as afghanistan founders april 14, 2003. Armys iraq war general stanley mcchrystal describes the quds force as an organization roughly analogous to a combination of the cia and the joint special operations command jsoc in. Whether iran s supreme leader and the islamic revolutionary guard corps will. In many ways, irans interests in afghanistan fall in line with the united.

The jockeying includes engaging the taliban and leading a. If russia and china make progress in afghanistan, they will be emboldened elsewhere. As a general rule we do not censor any content on the site. Iran and afghanistan institute for the study of war. How will things develop there and in central asia then. Ambassador zalmay khalilzad accused iran of meddling in iraqi affairs by financing and training militia groups that sow sectarian violence.

For many experts, this is surprising, because moscow had maintained an apparent distance from the afghan conflict for many years. Its mission is to be an analytical, researchled global forum for informing, influencing and. The books the trump administration should read to understand iran. Irans interests in afghanistan provide opportunities for. Prime members enjoy free twoday delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, tv shows, original audio series, and kindle books. Jan 08, 2020 now that iranian missiles have come into play, some of the particular vulnerabilities of afghanistan, which lies along irans northeastern border and still hosts about,000 american military. Its efforts, however, have not won over all segments of the afghani population. The french equivalent le grand jeu dates back to at least 1585 and is associated with meanings of risk, chance and deception in the historical sense the term dated from the mid19th century.

Iran also has been working diligently to build soft power in afghanistan, building and supporting pro iranian schools, mosques and media centers. Jun 19, 2014 the rand study examines iran s historical interests in afghanistan, its current policies in that country and explores the potential implications for u. Occasional paper understanding irans role in the syrian. An august 2009 report authored by general stanley a. Irans role in yemen and prospects for peace middle east. Irans support of the houthis grew increasingly open and transparent after the successful military drive by houthis and saleh loyalists in the summer of 2014. Iran and afghanistans long, complicated history united. Earlier, in may 2009, the ministry of culture and information of afghanistan disposed of 25 tons of books, which had been brought in by a private publisher at the afghan iran. The stakes are high for china in pakistan and afghanistan. Irans northern geopolitical interests are complex but can be defined in terms of their geographical dimensions. But afghanistan remains an important and often difficult arena of iranian foreign policy, a country where tehrans decisionmakers are slowly righting the course after decades of falling short. Why is russia so interested in afghanistan all of a. Nevertheless, afghanistan itself is not the core issue in saudi arabias policy towards the country.

Iran was the first country to recognise pakistan as an independent state, and the shah of iran was the first head of state to come on a state visit to pakistan in march 1950. This study examines iran s historic interests in afghanistan and its current policies in that country, and explores the potential implications for u. This move was seen as the saudi reaction to the iranian built khatm annabiyin the seal. Nationbuilding in afghanistan potomac books, 2008 for. Iran and the future of afghanistan council on foreign relations. During the upheaval of the 1990s, when the taliban came to power in afghanistan, the shiite theocracy in iran saw the group as an enemy force that oppressed afghan shiites and was hostile to iran. They raided iran s cultural center in mazare sharif and set its library ablaze. The great game is attributed to captain arthur conolly. The united states and iran share an interest in ensuring that a departure of the more than 20,000 u. The research is based on field interviews in afghanistan, the use of primary sources in dari and persian, and scholarly research in english. Washington as americas 16year war in afghanistan drags on, russia is resurrecting its own interest in the graveyard of empires. Iranian vice president pervez davoudi indicated in february 2009 that iran and afghanistan planned to develop a railway connecting iran with tajikistan through afghanistan s northern provinces. Rising anxiety over the withdrawal of us forces, ongoing regional instability, and continued tension over irans nuclear program contribute to escalating competition between the usiranian competition in.

Russia resurrects interest in afghanistan military times. Trade between iran and afghanistan is valued between two and three billion dollars annually. The term the great game was used well before the 19th century and was associated with games of risk, such as cards and dice. If you apply in person, must submit your documents before 11 a. Irans ambiguous role in afghanistan combating terrorism. Afghanistan is the fourthlargest importer of goods from iran, which is suffering from crippling u. Us and iranian competition in afghanistan, central asia, and pakistan has taken on renewed significance amid recent elections in pakistan, and the upcoming transition in afghanistan. Afghan schools have received thousands of iranian books, many of. But it s possible that iran s ethnic interest in afghanistan could coincide with the geopolitical interest of the west. Irans chabahar port empowers indiaafghanistan trade at.

The caucasus is a region of mixed moslem and christian nations with limited economic resources. Us military expansion and intervention in afghanistan afghanistan, remote and mountainous, has seen many conflicts. Still, iran has consistently sought to see a stable and independent afghanistan, with herat as a buffer zone and with a tehran. For a critical discussion see shahroud amir entekhabi. From afghan independence in 1919 until 1979, iran s relations with afghanistan were friendly. Interests section of the islamic republic of iran, within the embassy of pakistan. Oct 05, 2010 they also kidnapped and killed eight iranian diplomats and one journalist, which led iran and afghanistan dangerously close to war. How iran found its feet in afghanistan foreign affairs. Apr 17, 2020 as the islamic republic fails, renewed interest in zoroastrianism, irans ancient faith apr 17, 2020 8. The evolution of iran s policy toward the arab community and the gulf reflects the larger evolution of its international relations.

The events in iran and the gulf during the last week have been a grim reminder that iran remains the major threat to u. One such hint was the afghan governments announcement in october 2012 that saudi arabia would have a huge sunni mosque and islamic centre constructed in central kabul. Digging to america by anne tyler she is the late taghi moddaressi s wife the rug merchant by meg mullins my father s notebook by kader abdolah jumping over fire by nahid rachlin. The debate has also taken on new urgency in the light of the ongoing, and increasingly bitter, confrontation between the reformist movement and the ultra. The situation embraces iran, pakistans mafia groups, afghan warlords and islamic radicals looking to regroup for an assault on the us and its allies. The terrible civil war of more recent times began in 1979 as the soviet union intervened to prop up a friendly regime. Jan 14, 2016 meanwhile, irans national interest can be seen as both exporting its political ideology government by clerics into afghanistan and containing salafism and sunni extremism within their. Jul 10, 2014 according to dobbins, irans military also offered to train 20,000 afghan troops as part of a u. Iran lost territory to both, principally to russia. Afghan schools have received thousands of iranian books, many of which espouse the values of the islamic republic. Irans predominant interest is in stabilizing afghanistan, but as long as. For example i just came across these 4 new books, 2 with iranian authors, 2 with iranian characters.