Integrating Afghanistan into the Belt and Road Initiative Review, Analysis and Prospects Mariam Safi and Bismellah Alizada Integrating Afghanistan into the Belt and Road Initiative Review, Analysis and Prospects August 2018 Contents List of Figures and Tables .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... VI Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... VII Foreword ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. VIII Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... IX Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... X SECTION I: THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE Evolution and Status of the Belt and Road Initiative ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Challenges and Barriers to the Belt and Road Initiative ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 SECTION II: AFGHANISTAN AND THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE Afghanistan’s Journey from a Buffer to a Hub ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Afghanistan’s Regional Connectivity Status and Potential for Integration into the Belt and Road Initiative .............. 20 SECTION III: AFGHANISTAN AND ITS POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE Afghanistan’s Comparative Advantage .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 41 Obstacles to Afghanistan’s Integration ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 44 China’s Role in Afghanistan’s Integration into the Belt and Road Initiative .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 46 Afghanistan and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 48 The New Silk Road and the Belt and Road Initiative ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 54 Conclusion 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