| ID | 130865 |
| Title Proper | Afghanistan's geographic possibilities |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Saikal, Amin |
| Publication | 2014. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Afghanistan's geostrategic potential is hampered by domestic weakness, regional tensions and major-power competition. Historically, Afghanistan's position at the junction between Asia and Europe has not only made it susceptible to outside invasions and influence, but also rendered it an important conduit for cross-continental interactions. The Greco-Bactrian (250-150 BCE), Kushan (30-375 AD) and Sassanid (224-651 AD) empires derived much of their wealth from the Silk Road, a series of interlinked trading networks criss-crossing the Eurasian land mass and centred around what is now known as Afghanistan. These routes served as the main arteries of east-west trade and transportation, until the disintegration of the Mongol Empire in 1368 AD effectively dismantled the network. |
| `In' analytical Note | Survival : the IISS Quarterly Vol.56, No.3; June-July2014: p.141-156 |
| Journal Source | Survival : the IISS Quarterly Vol.56, No.3; June-July2014: p.141-156 |
| Key Words | Afghanistan ; Governance ; Development ; Resources ; Finance ; Terrorism ; Security ; Strategy ; Counterinsurgencies ; Counter Terrorism ; Regional Disputes ; Geostrategic ; Geopolitics ; Historical Context ; Mongol Empire ; Regime |