Editorial: Afghanistan's place in Asia

Asia is different from Europe. Because their cultures are similar, the European nations have been able to unite. Asia is different - the wide variety of cultures prevents the nations living on that continent from getting together. Fortunately, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Iran are exceptions, and are becoming closer to one another. This is due to a number of factors, such as all three having elected governments that can facilitate cooperation in the fields of economics, trade, the war on terror, and the fight against illicit drugs. Afghanistan, a war-ravaged country which is vulnerable to terrorists, needs to rebuild its economy, and both Iran and Tajikistan have significant role to play in this. at the [2002] Tokyo conference, Iran pledged 500 million US dollars for the Afghan reconstruction. A number of economic projects are being coordinated with India to connect Afghanistan to the outside world. Investment by firms from neighbouring countries not only paves the way for better economic relations among regional states, but will also help stop foreign interference in Afghanistan. Stability in Afghanistan will undoubtedly benefit all the countries in the region as well as the world.