July 2025

In August 2025, it will be four years since the Taliban came to power in Kabul. The initial focus of the Taliban after coming to power was on establishing centralized authority in the country, halting poppy bean cultivation, and attempting to govern the country based on Sharia law. The new government also aims to improve the socio-economic situation in the country, pursue stable and pragmatic policies with neighboring states, and achieve international recognition. 

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 256,000 people returned from Iran to Afghanistan in June alone. Moreover, this number is expected to increase further in July. Large-scale deportations could severely damage Afghanistan’s economy and social structure.

Against the backdrop of this dangerous crisis, with the international community’s attention focused on the direct participants in the conflict, Gaza, Libya, and Syria, it is appropriate to turn attention to Afghanistan, which, despite its peripheral position relative to the region, is also becoming involved in these processes. Israel and Iran seek to expand their spheres of influence both ideologically and strategically. In this context, South and Central Asia, including Afghanistan, are becoming key zones of geopolitical rivalry, especially for Iran.