Despite all of the positives – a peaceful transfer of power, an imminent security agreement with the United States, and the economic promise of huge mineral reserves – there is still reason to believe that Afghanistan’s dark days aren’t quite over.

The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan may have faded into the background over the past decade, but two high-profile airport attacks in Pakistan suggest that the militant group has returned as a threat.

The Geopoliticalmonitor’s Daniel Bodirsky examines the primary contenders and what’s at stake in Afghanistan’s upcoming election. 

Examining some possible scenarios should NATO forces completely withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014.

The Geopoliticalmonitor's Benjamin Syme Van Ameringen outlines the case for direct negotiations with the Taliban. 

Here's some background on the direct US-Taliban negotiations that are set to commence in Doha.

Here's why Pakistan is still an important piece of the puzzle for American foreign policy in the region.

A list of some of the critical economic and security issues facing the world in January 2013.

Back in July, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made it official: Afghanistan is now a Major non-NATO Ally (MNNA), a classification that all but ensures that defense and development aid will continue to flow through 2014 and beyond.

Withhold $800 million in military aid, let it go through, or double it- no matter what Washington does it can’t escape the paradox that Islamabad is its most important ally in the war on terror.