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Home > Open Access Journals > JSS > Vol. 18 > Afghanistan

 

Author Biography

Oleg Golishnikov is a Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science at Southern Illinois University (SIU) with expertise in International Relations and Comparative Politics. He has extensive work experience across the public, private, and NGO sectors, primarily focusing on research and analytics. His research interests include the dynamics of U.S.-China strategic competition and Sino-Russian alignment. Additionally, his research interests cover security issues in Central Asia and South Asia, and integration processes in the Indo-Pacific region. His theoretical and conceptual inquiries center on Great Power Rivalry, Grand Strategy, Strategic Culture, and Foreign Policy Behavior.

Oleg Golishnikov holds a BA in International Relations from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He earned an MA in International Relations: European and Asian Studies from the National Research University Higher School of Economics (NRU HSE) in Moscow, Russia.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5038/1944-0472.18.2.2424

Subject Area Keywords

Afghanistan, Central Asia, Strategy, Taliban, Terrorism / counterterrorism

Abstract

An objective evaluation of Afghanistan’s political and socioeconomic situation since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021 is crucial for understanding and addressing security issues at the national, regional, and global levels. Unlike most studies, this article provides new insights, offering a balanced assessment of the situation in Afghanistan and developing recommendations on dealing with the Taliban regime. By employing qualitative methods and a rational theory framework, this article argues that Afghanistan under Taliban rule is experiencing a mix of positive and negative trends. Major positive trends include the relative peace in Afghanistan, the Taliban’s real power and control over the country, the reduction in the cultivation and production of drugs, and the Taliban’s readiness for cooperation with international actors. In turn, major negative trends observed in Afghanistan include the continued terrorism threat, the rising religious extremism and fundamentalism, the intensifying humanitarian crisis, and the ongoing gross violation of human rights. Against such complexity, the most optimal strategy for the international community to deal with the Taliban should be based on RED principles: Recognition, Engagement, and Deterrence. This RED Strategy is not only an embodiment of the “carrot and stick” approach, but a comprehensive conceptual framework to motivate the Taliban to act accountably and responsibly.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this research article are the personal opinions of the author and do not reflect the views or positions of the Political Science Department at Southern Illinois University.

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Prof. Stephen Shulman (SIU), Prof. Ildar Yakubov (UWED), and Prof. Valery Dzutsati (SIU) for their encouragement and invaluable feedback throughout this research project. Special thanks to Prof. Stephen Bloom (SIU) for his unwavering support. I am also grateful to the two anonymous reviewers whose comments significantly helped refine this research article.

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