ABSTRACT
Afghanistan is a sparsely populated, largely mountainous landlocked state. It shares boundaries with Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan, all of which have, over the recent past, exhibited degrees of instability. As there are ethno-linguistic links with all five countries, Afghanistan can be seen as a regional flashpoint. In Afghanistan, there was a Cold War conflict involving the Soviet Union and the United States of America (USA) has metamorphosed into a post-Cold War ethno-nationalist contest for power. In Central Asia, the Afghan conflict is regarded as potentially the most dangerous strategic issue facing the region. A further complication is the development of petroleum in the Caspian Sea Basin and the need to construct a pipeline network. A major pipeline through Afghanistan would not only benefit that country but would support economic expansion in Pakistan and possibly India. In the security of such a pipeline approach to government, the Taliban regime is incompatible with international norms.
