Analysis Of Ethnic Relations In Contemporary Afghanistan

Situated at the junction of Central Asia, West Asia and South Asia, Afghanistan is highly important and significant strategically. Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic country and is also divided long ethnic lines, which have complicated the ethnic relations, and presented various characteristics at different times. At the same time, the involvement of external powers has further worsened the ethnic relations, which has caused the disturbance and instability to the country and influenced the regional security in Central Asia and neighboring states.Afghanistan is a close neighbor of China. The main ethnic groups in Afghanistan such as Tajiks and Uzbeks have the same ethnic origins as those in Xingjiang, China, which share the same religion, history and culture, and have wide links among them. Therefore, the internal changes in Afghanistan will have significant impact on China's northwest regional stability. In light of this, the study of Afghanistan ethnic relations is essential and helpful to the scholars and the government who wish to apprehend the current ethnic relations in Afghanistan, to seize the development dynamics and to make policies on China-neighboring countries relations.The thesis is composed of three main parts: Introduction, Main body and Conclusion.PartⅠ: IntroductionThis part contains the following: the significance of the study of Afghanistan ethnic relations; literature review; research approaches and; the definition on the concept of ethnic relations.PartⅡ: Main bodyThis part is comprised of three Chapters:Chapter 1: The History and Current Situation of Afghanistan Ethnic RelationsThe relations between the major ethnic group-Pushtuns and two other minor groups-Tajiks and Uzbeks is analyzed in this Chapter.Chapter 2: The Evolution of Afghanistan Ethnic RelationsThe ethnic relations in Afghanistan have been always very complicated and changing. The features are apparent at different historical phases. At the time of Soviet invasion, though the conflicts among the ethnic groups were serious, they put the hatred aside in time of national crisis, and united together. However, they started power struggle again after they lost the common enemy and ignited the civil war. It seemed that the tension has been relaxed among the groups after the "9·11", nonetheless, the conflict has never been eased. The ethnic relation in Afghanistan was further worsened after Taliban's come back. Chapter 3: The Main Factors Influencing Afghanistan Ethnic RelationsIn Chapter 3 the factors that complicate the Afghanistan ethnic relations are examined, which include the imbalance of domestic political, economic and cultural developments; a variety of trans-border ethnic groups and; the government ethnic policy which favors the major ethnic group.PartⅢ: ConclusionThis part summarizes the factors that complicate the Afghanistan ethnic relations and offer the prospects on the future development of ethnic relations in Afghanistan.The ethnic relations in Afghanistan have always been very complicated. The conflict and contradiction always exist between the Pushtuns, the Pushtuns and other minor ethnic groups, and among minor ethnic groups themselves. The road of reconciliation for the ethnic groups in Afghanistan is still far away, its future development deserves our long-term attention and concern.