DispatchesI recently returned to the US from Uzbekistan. This was my second visit to that Central Asian country, and I must say that as an Afghan, it was a bittersweet experience. Uzbekistan is a beautiful, peaceful place with a rich history and a modern, vibrant identity. As a Muslim-majority nation, it feels both culturally familiar to me and refreshingly open. People speak Uzbek, Russian, and Farsi, and the cultural diversity is clearly visible in everyday life.
Each time I come to Uzbekistan, I find myself thinking deeply about Afghanistan’s current situation. Afghanistan too is part of Central Asia and shares many cultural, linguistic, and historical similarities with other “Stan” countries like Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Yet while these nations are flourishing and enjoying peace, Afghanistan has endured decades of war, conflict, and foreign interference. It makes me ask: Why has Afghanistan been unable to find peace?
All of today’s Central Asian republics were once part of the Soviet Union. Afghanistan was not. When the USSR invaded Afghanistan in 1979, it faced fierce resistance and was ultimately forced to withdraw. This defeat contributed to the weakening and eventual collapse of the Soviet Union, which dissolved just a few years later in 1991.
The USSR was made up of 15 constituent republics, including Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltic states, and the six Central Asian countries. After the Soviet collapse, these republics gained independence. Uzbekistan declared state sovereignty on June 20, 1990, and full independence on August 31, 1991, after the failed coup in Moscow. The next day, September 1, was proclaimed as Uzbekistan’s National Independence Day.
Islam Karimov, the former First Secretary of the Communist Party of Uzbekistan, became the country’s first president and ruled until his death in 2016. His long-time Prime Minister, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, succeeded him and was re-elected in 2021. Under his leadership, Uzbekistan has continued to grow and modernize.
Uzbekistan and Afghanistan share a 144-kilometer border and deep cultural, linguistic, and historical ties. During the Soviet era, many ethnic Uzbeks migrated to Afghanistan and became an integral part of Afghan society. Despite these close connections, the paths of the two nations have diverged significantly. While Uzbekistan has progressed toward stability and modernization, Afghanistan remains trapped in cycles of war and instability – driven by decades of foreign invasions, political interference, and internal divisions.
I have been thinking that perhaps Afghanistan’s fate might have been different had it been part of the USSR— or had the Soviets succeeded in their war. Perhaps, in some indirect way, Afghanistan’s resistance and suffering paved the way for the freedom other post-Soviet states enjoy today.
One of the things I deeply appreciate about Uzbekistan is the freedom reflected in how people dress. Women wear what they are comfortable in—some wear headscarves, others do not. Unlike in Afghanistan, where the law enforces strict dress codes, in Uzbekistan there is no legal pressure. I always feel completely comfortable walking through Tashkent without changing the way I dress.
Tashkent itself is clean, safe, and full of life. The city offers beautiful cafes, modern hotels, and a vibrant cultural atmosphere. I also had the chance to visit Samarkand, and I absolutely loved it. It’s a stunning, historical city—busy, colorful, and full of charm. I had no trouble communicating there, as many people spoke Farsi.
What touched me most was the kindness and humility of the Uzbek people. They are down-to-earth, helpful, and genuinely welcoming. As an Afghan, I see so many cultural and linguistic similarities between us. It feels close to home, yet it reminds me of how different our realities have become.
But seeing this progress also makes me sad. It reminds me of what Afghanistan could be. The root causes of Afghanistan’s suffering are complex: foreign invasions, ethnic divisions, and above all, the meddling of neighboring countries. Pakistan and Iran, in particular, have continuously interfered in Afghan affairs, exploiting ethnic tensions and fueling conflict. Meanwhile, global powers like the US, USSR and Britain have all failed in their efforts to reshape Afghanistan—each misunderstanding the country’s culture, resilience and complexity.
Afghans have historically resisted outside control, but if the country wants to follow the path of peace and development like other Central Asian states, it must learn to engage constructively with major powers like the US, Russia, and China—not in a submissive way, but with strategy and self-interest at the forefront. At the same time, Afghanistan must draw a clear line with neighbors who continue to interfere. The country must protect its sovereignty—politically and economically—and refuse to be a playground for regional proxy wars.
A core issue remains the Durand Line, the disputed border with Pakistan. Afghanistan has never officially recognized it, and this dispute has contributed to mistrust and instability. It may be time for Afghanistan to move forward—either by settling the issue diplomatically or shifting focus to the future instead of the past. If Pakistan continues to support extremism and undermine Afghan sovereignty, Afghanistan should consider cutting ties entirely and prioritizing its own peace and stability.
Afghanistan has suffered immensely—during the Soviet war, through civil wars, and in the aftermath of the US withdrawal. But I still believe it has the potential to rise, like Uzbekistan and the rest of Central Asia. It must stop looking backward, stop letting others dictate its future, and start building a nation that reflects the will and dignity of its people.
I hope that one day, I can return to Afghanistan and feel the same sense of peace and hope that I felt when I walked the streets of Tashkent.
