Afghanistan, long a theater of war and humanitarian crises, is re-emerging as a central node in the evolving geopolitics of Asia and Eurasian alignment—the one driven by economics, regional interest, and realism rather than ideological divides. This time the recalibration of the region is driven by the regional stakeholders while the West is taking a back seat in a region it once tried to reshape by force.

In a profound shift across the region, Central Asian Republics are reconnecting with Afghanistan after a 50-year hiatus. Russia has extended diplomatic recognition to the Taliban regime. China has secured economic and strategic footholds under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The United States, though militarily withdrawn, continues to eye Afghan mineral wealth.

Most notably, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan have now agreed to cooperate within China’s BRI framework—a move that redefines the regional chessboard and redraws lines of influence across........

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