Exploring Afghanistan's Prospective Role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

This article analyzes the prospects of Afghanistan's presence in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Given the increasing importance of this organization in regional and global dynamics, Afghanistan's effective involvement could play a key role in shaping regional economic, security, and political interactions. This research employs qualitative methods and the Delphi strategy to gather and analyze the views of experts and specialists in international politics, regional security, and economics. Data analysis was conducted using the grounded theory method in NVivo software, and the results, based on the Kendall formula, indicate a consensus among experts regarding the significance and challenges of Afghanistan's participation. The research findings suggest that Afghanistan, due to its geostrategic position, rich natural resources, and potential capacities, can serve as a bridge between Central, South, and West Asian countries, thereby strengthening economic and security cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. However, challenges such as internal instability, economic dependency, and geopolitical pressures from foreign powers pose serious obstacles to Afghanistan's active participation in the organization. According to content analysis, there is a consensus among experts that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, if it enhances its support mechanisms, can provide a suitable platform for bolstering stability and development in Afghanistan. This endeavor requires multilateral cooperation and sustained support from the key members of the organization. The findings of this research can significantly assist policymakers and decision-makers in formulating effective strategies to enhance Afghanistan's role in this organization.