n terms of international politics, the year 2025 is expected to be as complex as 2024. Geopolitics will be fraught with wars, conflict and impact of climate change. Middle East, in particular will remain unstable.

The evolution of technology, particularly developments in artificial intelligence, might pose new challenges to human interactions. History’s lesson is that these challenges too shall pass giving way to progress, dialogue and greater interconnectivity. The year might see greater freedom in terms of regard for public opinion and a potential phasing out of authoritarian regimes. The fall of the Assad regime in Syria might have signaled that a people’s will can only be ignored at great peril.

As far as Afghanistan is concerned, the New Year does not promise peace and prosperity. Since the US withdrawal from the country in 2021, the Taliban regime has consolidated its power over the Afghan people. The humanitarian crisis in the country is expected to worsen, especially in terms of women’s rights. The prevalence of poverty is likely to increase as access to most avenues to progress, such as universal education, remains limited.

Authoritarian governments in countries such as Afghanistan can develop a feeling that they have nothing to lose in refusing to comply with international norms. This is an unfortunate situation and requires the international community to make proactive efforts to end the isolation by creating suitable incentives. If the human rights abuses in the country continue, the Taliban government will continue to be shunned and the benefits of international cooperation and engagement will not accrue. On the other hand international condemnation of the regime, however,........

© The News on Sunday