Afghanistan does not have the advantage of nuclear deterrence or a strong army force to defeat any aggressive attacks from its neighbors, especially Iran and Pakistan both of which are problematic and have ambiguous interests in Afghanistan. Nuclearized Iran and its home grown form of radicalization based on anti-western sentiments, can pose a threat for the future of Afghanistan- U.S. strategic partnership. Iran wants U.S. to leave Afghanistan; however Afghanistan is more inclined to maintain close relations with the west, especially the U.S. since it would shield Afghanistan from any regional security threats. To counter this, Afghanistan must ensure and convince Iran that the Afghanistan-U.S. strategic partnership will not affect Iran- Afghanistan brotherhood relations.8
Nuclear Pakistan is also going through a long – drawn national crisis, in other words, becoming a “collapse state” while extremism becomes an ever growing concern. It is clear that an insecure and unstable Pakistan will create havoc in Afghanistan. Moreover, Pakistan has always tried to project its role to play as a bridge for the U.S.-Afghanistan relations and show the U.S. that a strategic partnership with Pakistan is enough to facilitate the U.S. in meeting its interests in the region. Hence, this strategic partnership will be deemed a threat for both Pakistan and Iran.9

Afghanistan does not have the advantage of nuclear deterrence or a strong army force to defeat any aggressive attacks from its neighbors, especially Iran and Pakistan both of which are problematic and have ambiguous interests in Afghanistan. Nuclearized Iran and its home grown form of radicalization based on anti-western sentiments, can pose a threat for the future of Afghanistan- U.S. strategic partnership. Iran wants U.S. to leave Afghanistan; however Afghanistan is more inclined to maintain close relations with the west, especially the U.S. since it would shield Afghanistan from any regional security threats. To counter this, Afghanistan must ensure and convince Iran that the Afghanistan-U.S. strategic partnership will not affect Iran- Afghanistan brotherhood relations.8
Nuclear Pakistan is also going through a long – drawn national crisis, in other words, becoming a “collapse state” while extremism becomes an ever growing concern. It is clear that an insecure and unstable Pakistan will create havoc in Afghanistan. Moreover, Pakistan has always tried to project its role to play as a bridge for the U.S.-Afghanistan relations and show the U.S. that a strategic partnership with Pakistan is enough to facilitate the U.S. in meeting its interests in the region. Hence, this strategic partnership will be deemed a threat for both Pakistan and Iran.9

Afghanistan does not have the advantage of nuclear deterrence or a strong army force to defeat any aggressive attacks from its neighbors, especially Iran and Pakistan both of which are problematic and have ambiguous interests in Afghanistan. Nuclearized Iran and its home grown form of radicalization based on anti-western sentiments, can pose a threat for the future of Afghanistan- U.S. strategic partnership. Iran wants U.S. to leave Afghanistan; however Afghanistan is more inclined to maintain close relations with the west, especially the U.S. since it would shield Afghanistan from any regional security threats. To counter this, Afghanistan must ensure and convince Iran that the Afghanistan-U.S. strategic partnership will not affect Iran- Afghanistan brotherhood relations.8
Nuclear Pakistan is also going through a long – drawn national crisis, in other words, becoming a “collapse state” while extremism becomes an ever growing concern. It is clear that an insecure and unstable Pakistan will create havoc in Afghanistan. Moreover, Pakistan has always tried to project its role to play as a bridge for the U.S.-Afghanistan relations and show the U.S. that a strategic partnership with Pakistan is enough to facilitate the U.S. in meeting its interests in the region. Hence, this strategic partnership will be deemed a threat for both Pakistan and Iran.9