Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Clashes: A Harbinger of Regional Instability?
Just weeks after Afghanistan claimed to have inflicted casualties on Pakistani soldiers numbering in the dozens – a claim Pakistan disputes but acknowledges significant clashes – a disturbing pattern is emerging. These aren’t isolated incidents; they represent a potential ‘new normal’ along the Durand Line, a 1,600-mile border steeped in historical contention. But beyond the immediate military skirmishes, what are the long-term implications for regional security, and what proactive steps can stakeholders take to mitigate escalating tensions?
The Escalating Conflict: Beyond Border Disputes
Recent reports from Bloomberg, Al Jazeera, Dawn,