SPEAKING FREELY, Afghanistan's stability lies with Pakistan

KABUL - In 1989, the Soviet Army withdrew from Afghanistan. Simultaneously, the West disengaged from the Afghan conflict, which left the Afghans at the mercy of regional powers. The collapse of the communist bloc provoked a shift in US policy in the region. Because the US lacked a strategic interest in Afghanistan, Washington [delegated the formulation] of Afghan policy to both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which are two close allies of the US. The Saudis had no other interest in Afghanistan than the desire to create a government in Kabul that was hostile to Iran. Although Iran shares a common language and culture with Afghanistan, it has historically had a limited influence on the country.