Strategic View: Pakistan–Afghanistan Tensions Spark Fierce Debate Over Strategy, Sovereignty, and Blowback

The sharp escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan has triggered intense political and strategic debate across the region. Defense analysts argue that Islamabad’s long-standing security doctrine, including its “strategic depth” approach in Afghanistan, is now facing serious blowback. Critics point to unrest in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where cross-border militancy and airstrike allegations have fueled further instability. At the heart of the dispute lies the contested Durand Line and the broader Pashtun belt stretching from Kandahar to Peshawar. The resurgence of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has further complicated relations, with Pakistan accusing Kabul of failing to curb militant sanctuaries, while Afghan authorities reject the charge. Televised debates featuring retired military officials and regional journalists reflect deep divisions over responsibility and long-term consequences. Some commentators describe the crisis as a strategic miscalculation, while others frame it as a necessary security response. Observers caution that inflammatory rhetoric risks widening the confrontation. With artillery exchanges, drone allegations, and diplomatic friction mounting, the conflict underscores how quickly fragile border dynamics can spiral into broader geopolitical instability.

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