INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Viktor KORGUN

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Viktor Korgun, D.Sc. (Hist.), head of the Afghanistan Sector, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow, Russian Federation)

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In 2006, Afghanistan’s foreign policy was aimed at procuring international support of the country’s development programs and included the following tasks: to promote an increase in economic aid from the world community, primarily financial, and expand the assistance rendered the country to resolve its most urgent problems—fighting Islamic extremists and terrorists in the form of the Taliban and their allies; combating narcotics; creating an economic infrastructure; and resolving social problems. In so doing, foreign policy was mainly orientated toward the U.S., Afghanistan’s main strategic partner, and toward friendly neighboring states: Iran, Tajikistan, and India. In its relations with its neighbors, the country gave prevalence to opposing common threats to stability and security in the region, as well as to economic cooperation. Due to a number of contradictions, relations with Pakistan took their own particular course of development.

The international London Conference on Afghanistan, which was held on 31 January-1 February, 2006 and which was the highlight of Afghanistan’s foreign policy, was devoted to procuring the confidence and continued support of the international community. It was attended by envoys from nearly seventy nations and international organizations. The conference was held in response to the growing instability in Afghanistan and the inability of Hamid Karzai’s government to cope with the serious challenges posed by terrorism, corruption, and……………….

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