The Afghanistan Essays | Beijing as Broker

Date: January 8, 2018

This 2018 short-essay series by the Jinnah Institute (JI) reflects a range of Pakistani thought leadership on Afghanistan and it’s complex history with Islamabad. With the region in the current crosshairs of a seemingly intractable conflict, these essays attempt to spur old and new thinking on the history of Pakistan’s relationship with Afghanistan and existing challenges. The essays cover a range of subject matter on Afghanistan-Pakistan including efforts for peace and reconciliation, threats to security, the broader geopolitical dynamic, and the role of civil society and economy.

This essay titled ‘Beijing as Broker’ examines the evolving geopolitical role of external actors in the Afghan endgame; in particular it shines a light on China’s rise as a central player in not just reconstruction but also reconciliation efforts geared at promoting political stability in the war-torn country.