In contemporary international politics, legitimacy and global trust are fundamental values that countries and political structures consider crucial for garnering legitimate presence, political credibility, and international support. Particularly, countries facing prolonged conflicts, political crises, and changes can not advance in building international relations without legitimacy. Legitimacy not only guarantees internal stability but is also considered a prerequisite for interaction with international institutions, states, and the global community.
Afghanistan, which has witnessed political crises, wars, and regime changes for several decades, is now facing a new reality regarding international legitimacy and trust in recent developments. Some former political movements, which consider themselves representatives of resistance and struggle, have attempted to revive their past position, but these efforts have not received significant support from the international community. The international community, which now evaluates political legitimacy based on principles, transparent criteria, and popular representation, does not consider the efforts of these movements credible.
These movements, whose political trajectory was often based on armed struggle, foreign support, and slogans, have fallen from the political stance that the world relied upon, by neglecting popular legitimacy, national participation, and fundamental values. The continuation of war, distancing from the will of the people, violation of human rights, propaganda beyond the framework of law, and weakening national institutions were the factors that closed the doors of international legitimacy against them. The stance of the international community is that legitimacy is granted only to those who represent the people, seek peace instead of conflict, and adhere to international principles.
Meanwhile, the current caretaker government, despite still facing limitations in terms of official international recognition, has managed to adopt a new stance through practical cooperation, negotiations, and gradual interaction with the international community. This interaction, although not complete, is expanding due to several important factors. The relative stability of security, opportunities for economic cooperation, the presence of international institutions, serious measures against narcotics, and moderate political stances are the key elements that have created an atmosphere of trust.
The relative stabilization of the country’s security, which has resulted from the reduction of conflict levels, the limitation of illegal armed groups, and the improvement of control over roads, cities, and borders, has sent a message to the world that Afghanistan can play an important role in preventing illegal armed groups and malicious factions. This security situation has attracted the attention of foreign investors, aid organizations, and regional partners.
On the other hand, Afghanistan is once again becoming an important part of regional economic connectivity. Ongoing discussions and visits by high-ranking officials from neighboring countries regarding transit, energy, and infrastructure projects indicate that the country is regaining its economic role. These economic collaborations align with international efforts aimed at making Afghanistan a hub for regional connectivity, trade, and investment.
The presence of international organizations, such as the United Nations, the Red Cross, and other humanitarian aid agencies, indicates that the international community continues to engage with the current caretaker government for humanitarian cooperation, development projects, and social services. Although this engagement is largely non-political, it is considered a step towards gradually opening the doors to recognition.
At the same time, the government’s serious measures against drug cultivation and trafficking show that the new regime wants to jointly combat crimes, corruption, and trafficking with the international community. If these measures are sustained, they could positively impact Afghanistan’s international image.
In the field of diplomacy, a relatively balanced stance is also observed compared to the past. Efforts for normal engagement, expanding political connections, and using logical language are signs that the current caretaker government is trying to give an acceptable form to international interaction; as a result, those former political movements that sought legitimacy through war, false slogans, and foreign support have lost the trust of the international community, as the international community no longer supports warlike stances and illegal movements in Afghanistan. Instead, international trust is now given to those who convey a message of commitment to stability, peace, economic development, and international principles.
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