Source: Journal of Lanzhou University (Social Sciences), No. 4, 2025

Abstract: After the U.S. government withdrew from Afghanistan, the Taliban regained control of the country. With the stabilization of the Taliban regime, Afghanistan’s security governance has entered a new phase. The focus of international interaction with the Taliban has shifted from regime change to political transformation and nation-building. The new Afghan security governance faces three major challenges: bridging the gap between the Taliban’s internal governance and external expectations, addressing the spillover of security threats and border governance cooperation, and delineating the boundaries between responsibility allocation and constructive intervention. Historically, Afghanistan was mired in the “Great Power Arena” as a strategic competition ground. But now, based on the increasingly constructive consensus internally and externally, it is leveraging its geopolitical advantages to actively foster cooperation with neighboring and regional powers. This has led to the emergence of a pragmatic model centered on multi-faceted diplomacy, prioritization of neighboring diplomacy, and collaboration with major regional powers. Consequently, Afghanistan is present ed with a historic opportunity to transform its identity into that of a “stability corridor and bridge” of a border land of multiple countries. Looking ahead, the Taliban’s proactive engagement with the international community, coupled with efforts by relevant countries to deepen complementary partnerships and integrate regional cooperation with cross-civilizational dialogue, represents the key path for Afghanistan to escape its passive predicament and achieve long-term sustainable development.

Keywords: new Afghan security governance; Taliban in Afghan; constructive consensus; “stability corridor and bridge”; “Great Power Arena”; pragmatic cooperation; cross-civilizational dialogue