Department of Politics and Government graduate student Mizanur Rahman published an article in Jadavpur Journal of International Relations (JJIR) titled “The US State-building in Afghanistan: An Offshore Balance?

Headshot of Mizanur Rahman

Mizanur Rahman

The article investigates the post-9/11 U.S. policy in Afghanistan from the perspective of offensive realism. It argues that U.S. state-building in Afghanistan has been driven by two major motivations: The first is to maximize security by securing itself from further terrorist attacks, and the second policy priority is to prevent other regional hegemons to emerge in South Asia.

It further contends that through the Afghanistan policy, the U.S. administration maintains an onshore balance against China and offshore balance against India.

Rahman would like to thank Professor Michaelene Cox for her comments in the initial version of the article.