Deep Dive: Pakistan declares open war with Afghanistan after launching airstrikes

Pakistan's declaration of an 'open war' with Afghanistan, accompanied by military airstrikes, underscores longstanding border frictions exacerbated by militancy and territorial disputes. The Durand Line, a colonial-era boundary rejected by Afghanistan, has long fueled mutual accusations of harboring insurgents—Pakistan blames Afghan soil for Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacks, while Kabul points to Pakistani support for anti-government groups. High tensions reflect strategic interests: Pakistan seeks to neutralize cross-border threats to its stability, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, while Afghanistan's Taliban regime prioritizes sovereignty and Pashtun irredentism. Key actors include Pakistan's military establishment, which dominates foreign policy on security matters, and Afghanistan's Taliban leadership, emboldened since 2021 but economically isolated. Regional intelligence reveals cultural ties among Pashtun populations straddling the border, enabling militant mobility and complicating counterterrorism. Organizations like the TTP exploit this porous frontier, drawing recruits from disenfranchised communities on both sides. Cross-border implications ripple to South Asia and beyond: India watches warily, fearing Pakistan's distraction could shift focus to Kashmir; China, with Belt and Road investments in both nations, risks CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) disruptions; the U.S. and NATO remnants monitor for ISIS-K spillovers. Central Asia's stability hangs in balance, as refugee flows could burden Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Economically, trade halts at Torkham and Chaman crossings starve local markets. Outlook remains volatile: diplomatic channels via China or Qatar may de-escalate, but without addressing root grievances like refugee repatriation and water-sharing (Kabul River disputes), cycles of retaliation persist. Global audiences must grasp this as a proxy for great-power rivalries, not mere tribal clashes.