India, Oct. 19 -- A sudden flare-up along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, marked by cross-border firing, expulsions and diplomatic recriminations, is rarely an isolated incident. Rather, such episodes are symptomatic of deeper structural tensions that have accumulated since 2021 - when the Taliban returned to power after the abrupt withdrawal of US forces and the abandonment of vast quantities of materiel. The current skirmish therefore speaks to historical grievances, domestic politics, regional competition, and competing strategic visions for South and Central Asia.

The Afg-Pak clashes have now reached a tipping point, especially after the killing of civilians - including members of a cricket team - in strikes attributed to Pakistan. ...