Abstract
Objective: Afghanistan’s social system, characterized by intertwined ethnic, religious, and ideological divisions, has created a complex and tension-prone environment. Interacting with waves of modern civilization, these complexities have further deepened. Over the past four decades, these social conditions have had significant consequences for Afghanistan's domestic and regional environment, which have inevitably influenced the security and foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This article examines the impact of Afghanistan’s social structure on Iran’s multidimensional (comprehensive) security.
Method: This research is developmental and applied in nature. It employs a qualitative methodology, utilizing document analysis. Data were collected through note-taking from various sources.
Findings: Afghanistan possesses a tri-cleavage active society, which has turned the country into a source of ongoing tension. This condition has led to a persistent cycle of conflict generation within Afghanistan, with spillover effects on Iran. Consequently, Iran’s security—politically, economically, militarily, socially, and culturally—has been affected in the past, present, and is likely to be impacted in the future.
Conclusion: The active cleavages in Afghan society are marked by features such as resistance to adaptation, dynamism, and transboundary impacts. These cleavages have not only destabilized Afghanistan but have also elevated threats to Iran’s security. Therefore, managing the consequences of these cleavages and paying close attention to Afghanistan’s social system are essential and unavoidable in shaping Iran’s foreign and security policy.
Main Subjects
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