Afghanistan Could Have Led Peace Efforts Instead of Pakistan,” Former Afghanistan NSA Speaking to Afghan Times, a former National Security Advisor of Afghanistan stated that the recent de-escalation between Iran and the United States could have been an opportunity for Afghanistan to take the lead in regional peace efforts instead of Pakistan. The former official noted that Afghanistan’s geographic location and historical ties with regional actors once positioned it as a potential mediator in critical geopolitical tensions. From another perspective, if the Taliban had focused more on the welfare of their own people and prioritized internal stability, Afghanistan could have been in a stronger position to play this role. Instead, concerns about foreign involvement and the use of Afghan soil by external actors—such as India—and militant groups like BLA and TTP have further complicated the situation and weakened Afghanistan’s diplomatic potential. However, he emphasized that internal instability and policy decisions in recent years have limited Afghanistan’s ability to play such a role on the global stage. He further added that with a more balanced and internationally engaged approach, Afghanistan might have contributed significantly to easing tensions between Iran and the United States, highlighting a missed opportunity for Kabul to demonstrate diplomatic leadership.

— Official Statement