Introduction

Afghanistan has suffered from decades of disruption, and no end is in sight. Four points of context are important to note in understanding Afghanistan’s situation. First, Afghanistan is a complex country, marked by ethnic and linguistic diversity and diverse social structures. Second, Afghanistan is a damaged country as a result of decades of war. Third, Afghanistan is a strategically located country, something which exposes it to meddling by neighbouring states seeking to pursue their own interests. Fourth, Afghanistan is a romanticised country, often the victim of simplistic imagery that treats it as static and unchangeable. Understanding Afghanistan involves taking all of these into account.