Abstract:
Regarding the Shia movements in Afghanistan, it can be said that throughout the history of this country, due to the lack of unified leadership, lack of geographical integration, lack of internal cohesion and ethnic multiplicity, the closed space governing the Hazara areas, pressures from Pashtun, Tajik, and Uzbek neighbors, illiteracy, and finally the tribal monarchies that existed in the Hazara areas; and since every Hazara leader sought to maintain their own position and sphere of influence, a grand strategy for the Shia political movements of Afghanistan cannot be mentioned. However, despite this, overall one can derive a specific strategy from the performance of Shias in each historical period, considering the specific conditions of that time, which they have followed. If we want to examine, as an example, the political strategies of the Shias from the formation of Afghanistan with its current geography; we observe that they have adopted different strategies in every historical period. From the time of Ahmad Shah Abdali to the time of Abdur Rahman, the Shias of Afghanistan followed two strategies: in the field of communication with the central government, to avoid conflict with it, they adopted a strategy of cooperation and support for the central government; and in their internal sphere, to maintain their autonomy under the tribal monarchies ruling over the Hazara areas, they followed a strategy of internal autonomy and preventing central government interference in the internal affairs of the Hazara areas. After the historical suppression of the Shias by Abdur Rahman until the reign of Amanullah Khan, due to the loss of more than 62% of this people's population as well as the loss of their lands, religious and ethnic leaders, and the existence of a prevailing atmosphere of suffocation, they were forced to adopt a strategy of isolation. After the rule of Amanullah until the communist coup of '57, Shia movements followed a strategy of struggle to revive their identity and regain their lost social and political status. After the communist coup, in addition to adopting a strategy of armed struggle against the communist regime, Shia movements sought to establish social justice and share in the country's political power. Following the victory of the Mujahideen, to participate in the country's political equations, the strategy of Shia movements consisted of internal unity, increasing military capability, and interaction with other ethnic and religious groups. Finally, after the recent transformations in the country and the presence of Shias in the highest echelons of power, they are pursuing a strategy of consolidating their political position within the country's power structure. Therefore, the strategy that Shia movements followed in the 93 presidential elections is also the strategy of consolidating the political position of the Shias in the highest echelons of power in the country.
Machine summary:
Strategies of Shia Movements in the Political Process of Afghanistan (With an emphasis on the analysis of the 2014 Presidential Elections) 1 Abdul Ali Hosseini Abstract Regarding the Shia movements in Afghanistan, it can be said that throughout the history of this country, due to the lack of a unified leadership, lack of geographical integrity, lack of internal cohesion and ethnic pluralism, the closed nature of the atmosphere prevailing over Hazara lands, pressures from Pashtun, Tajik, and Uzbek neighbors, illiteracy, and finally the rule of tribal monarchies (muluk al-tawa'if) that existed in Hazara lands; and since each Hazara leader sought to maintain their own position and territory under their influence; a grand strategy for the political movements of the Shias of Afghanistan cannot be mentioned.
Following the victory of the Mujahideen, to participate in the country's political equations, the strategy of Shia movements consisted of internal unity, increasing military capability, and interaction with other ethnic and religious groups.
Although after the recent developments in the country, the ground for activity was provided for Shia movements and Shias were able to participate in the power structure after a long period and emerge as one of the main actors in the political arena of Afghanistan; however, by examining the political history of the country, we observe that Shias, from the beginning of the formation of Afghanistan by Ahmad Shah Abdali until the time of Abdur Rahman, have also played major roles in the country's transformations and have adopted various strategies in the country's political process.
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