Active Neutrality Policy for Afghanistan: A Possible Model in the International System

Abstract

This article examines the feasibility of “active neutrality” as a potential foreign policy strategy for Afghanistan within the contemporary international system. The central question of the study is whether active neutrality can be regarded as a viable strategic option or whether it remains merely a normative idea in light of Afghanistan’s geopolitical and structural constraints. The study adopts a qualitative approach based on documentary analysis and analytical method, drawing on the theoretical perspectives of realism, institutionalism, and small-state theory. The findings indicate that Afghanistan’s geopolitical position at the intersection of major regional spheres, together with its history of foreign intervention and internal fragility, highlights the need for a cautious and balanced foreign policy. Active neutrality, defined as non-alignment with hostile blocs combined with active diplomacy, may offer advantages such as reducing the costs of alignment, diversifying international relations, and lowering the risk of becoming an arena for proxy competition. However, the study also identifies significant limitations, including weak state capacity, lack of domestic consensus, economic and security dependencies, and the persistence of regional and global rivalries. A comparative analysis of Switzerland, Austria, and Turkmenistan shows that the success of neutrality policy requires institutional capacity, international recognition, and stability in strategic orientation. The article concludes that active neutrality for Afghanistan is neither fully attainable nor entirely unrealistic. Rather, it should be understood as a conditional and gradual framework whose realization depends on domestic cohesion, diplomatic capacity, and relative international acceptance. The value of this concept lies not in offering a ready-made solution, but in providing a structured path toward a more balanced and less costly foreign policy.