Από το φθινόπωρο του 2001, όταν ξεκίνησε η αμερικανική – νατοϊκή επέμβαση στο Αφγανιστάν στο πλαίσιο του ‘‘Waron Terror’’ της διοίκησης Bush του νεότερου, μέχρι την 29η Φεβρουαρίου του 2020, που υπογράφτηκε η περίφημη συμφωνία ειρήνης με τους Ταλιμπάν, οι ΗΠΑ δαπάνησαν κοντά στα 975 δισεκατομμύρια δολάρια[1]. Επιπλέον, 4.030 στρατιώτες του διεθνούς συνασπισμού (ISAF), εκ των οποίων 2.441 Αμερικανοί, σκοτώθηκαν στις μάχες. Υπολογίζεται ότι από το 2009, όταν ο ΟΗΕ άρχισε να καταγράφει τις απώλειες, πάνω από 100.000 Αφγανοί, μεταξύ αυτών περίπου 60.000 στελέχη των σωμάτων ασφαλείας με βάση εκτιμήσεις αρχές του 2019, έχουν χάσει τη ζωή τους ή ακρωτηριαστεί[2]. Οι δε καταγεγγραμμένοι Αφγανοί πρόσφυγες ανέρχονται στα 2.5 εκατομμύρια, δηλαδή ο δεύτερος μεγαλύτερος προσφυγικός πληθυσμός μετά τους Σύρους[3].

Where a rather detailed visit to the adjoining regions of Southwest Asia and the Gulf allows one to reconnect with the friends, fellow thinkers and civil society activists, it also affords a sought-after opportunity to observe first-hand all the vital developments. Dubai’s unending sky rises, its boulevards infested with endless and often flashy cars, private residences surrounded by meticulously manicured lawns, and principality’s Western food joints and ever growing shopping malls exhibit modernity with its unchallenged invincibility on this side of the Gulf. But it also hides the regional tensions and sordid volatilities across the blue waters, which have sadly become region’s more apparent characteristics over the past four decades. Dramatic and equally traumatic developments including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Iraq-Iraq War, the Second Gulf War, 9/11 and the Western invasion of Afghanistan—longest of its kind in recent history and with no victors but endless victims—have bequeathed millions of widows, orphans and refugees in Southwest Asia.

The broader Middle Eastern and Northern Africa region has entered an extended period of turmoil where states are collapsing and regimes are being overthrown. While the roots of these conflicts are long-established, eruptions since 2001 are recurring with a ferocity implying that none will come together again in a capacity of state unity. Patrick Cockburn's indefatigable coverage provides a crucial tour d'horizon of the civil wars and insurgencies that have been shattering the societies' central core while demonstrating the variety of reasons as to why these conflicts are ongoing and foremost, as to why religion in the Middle East is now the glue that holds societies together.

While the United States revise their troop withdrawal plans from Afghanistan, the future of the country remains precarious. Violence still flourishes on the ground, the Afghan government seems unstable in contrast with the Taliban movement which looks stronger than ever, and, at the same time, al Qaeda tries to rebuild its presence in the region by opening the way for young Islamic extremists to join. In the meantime, thousands of Afghan refugees leave their country and enter Europe, while others, living in Pakistan, are being forced to return to their homeland.

US President Barack Obama’s announcement regarding the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan has necessitated a reshuffling of the geostrategic relations of neighbouring countries in the region. The decision to hand security management back to Afghan authorities has raised questions concerning the stability of the country after the withdrawal of US troops. Afghanistan, Pakistan and India are now compelled to re-evaluate their policies towards each other.