Russia–Afghanistan relations and regional stability
I explore Russia–Afghanistan relations and their implications for regional stability, establishing the foundation for my continuing regional security research.
Russia’s relationship with Afghanistan carries a long history, from the Soviet intervention of 1979–89 to Moscow’s renewed diplomatic engagement in the 2010s. For Russia, Afghanistan has been closely tied to the security of Central Asia and to concerns about militancy and narcotics crossing into the post-Soviet space.
My MPhil thesis examines Russia–Afghanistan relations and considers their implications for regional stability. It treats the relationship not as a purely bilateral matter but as part of the security of the surrounding region.
This was the project in which my interest in Afghanistan’s regional role first took shape, and it laid the foundation for the questions I later developed through Regional Security Complex Theory.
How do Russia–Afghanistan relations influence regional stability?
Russia’s relationship with Afghanistan cannot be separated from the security of the wider region, particularly Central Asia.
Great-power engagement with Afghanistan shapes the security choices of its neighbours. Understanding Russia’s approach helps to explain the regional dynamics that Afghanistan is part of.
The thesis showed me how an external power’s relationship with Afghanistan reaches its neighbours. My proposed doctoral research takes that regional lens further.
This page is a research overview. The full MPhil thesis is not published here; I’m happy to discuss it.