In international relations, geography often dictates economic realities more firmly than political rhetoric. Afghanistan, a country long troubled by internal conflict and external dependence, continues to describe itself as the “heart of Asia.” Yet the hard truth is that its geography neither supports this claim nor provides the economic leverage often projected by its leadership. The country remains landlocked, geopolitically constrained, and economically reliant on a single major corridor Pakistan. Recently, Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar asserted that Kabul intends to seek “alternative trade routes” beyond Pakistan. The statement may resonate politically within Afghanistan, but its practical feasibility collapses when viewed through the lens of geography, economics, and logistics.

Six countries border Afghanistan, but none offer it a viable gateway to global markets. Its northern neighbours, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, share limited political trust with Kabul and have little demand for Afghan exports. These Central Asian states have surplus agricultural products, abundant energy reserves, and little........

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