U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan and Realignment of Eurasian Rival Powers

Authors

Toghrul Seyidbayli, Nakhchivan State UniversityFollow

Author Biography

Toghrul Seyidbayli earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Baku State University (2007–2011) and a Master’s degree in International Relations from China Foreign Affairs University (2020–2022). Prior to his graduate studies, he worked as a researcher at the Bilgesam Research Center in Istanbul from 2014 to 2017. He is currently a lecturer in the Department of International Relations and Law at Nakhchivan State University in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan. In addition to Azerbaijani, he is fluent in English, Turkish, and Russian, and has intermediate proficiency in German. His primary research interests include geopolitical analysis, Eurasian politics, and theories of international relations.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5038/1944-0472.18.2.2499

Subject Area Keywords

Afghanistan, Central Asia, Civil affairs, Conflict studies, International institutions, International relations

Abstract

This article explores the geopolitical ramifications of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, focusing on how it has catalyzed strategic realignments among China, Russia, and Iran in Eurasia. By examining the withdrawal’s impact on the regional power dynamics, the article analyzes how these revisionist states have exploited the resulting power vacuum to assert their influence and challenge the existing international order. China has used this moment to expand its Belt and Road Initiative, Russia has felt emboldened to escalate its military actions in Ukraine, and Iran, despite regional setbacks, remains determined in pursuing its revisionist strategy in Eurasia. The study employs an analytic and qualitative methodology to identify patterns of geopolitical behavior and alignments. It also integrates relevant literature on post-unipolarity and multipolarity to frame these developments within the broader context of the shifting global order. Ultimately, the article demonstrates that the U.S. withdrawal has contributed to the emergence of a multipolar world, incrementally reshaping the contours of global power competition.

Acknowledgements

I declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article. The research was conducted independently, and no external funding or financial support was received that could influence the content or conclusions of the manuscript.

Recommended Citation

Seyidbayli, Toghrul. "U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan and Realignment of Eurasian Rival Powers." Journal of Strategic Security 18, no. 2 (2025) : 215-239.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5038/1944-0472.18.2.2499
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/jss/vol18/iss2/12