Effects of Saudi Arabia and Iran's regional competition on Afghanistan after 2001

Even though Afghanistan's geography, history, socio-cultural structure and economic situations has been the subject of various studies and scientific researches, unfortunately no study has been conducted that clearly reveals the effects of Iran and Saudi Arabia's competition in the Middle East concerning Afghanistan. Therefore the main aim of this study is to reveal the effects of competition between these two countries on the security and political aspects. After the US operation in Afghanistan in September 11, 2001, the Taliban government was removed from power, and in the country's reconstruction Saudi Arabia and Iran began to compete on the power gap as did many other countries in the region. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of Saudi Arabia and Iran's competition in the region on Afghanistan in terms of security and political aspects and to provide an important research document. Saudi Arabia-Iran's competition in the region adversely affects Afghanistan in terms of political and security. Afghanistan, which is extremely weak in economic terms is dependent on foreign countries, especially those countries(Saudi Arabia and Iran).The weakening of the Iranian economy due to the embargoes imposed by Western countries negatively affects both the Afghan workers working in Iran and the families they are obliged to support back home. Moreover, the fact that different ethnic and sectarian groups in the country are supported by these countries (Saudi Arabia and Iran) is the biggest obstacle in stabilizing the country's security. The research was written using descriptive and analytical methodology. within the framework of the realist approach explaining that the Middle East is a region based on competition and conflict. Neo-classical realism, as a theory is used as an example in this reasearch to evaluate the dynamics of the state and the international system. As a result of the study, it was concluded that Afghanistan was affected negatively from the competition of Saudi Arabia and Iran.The fact that the changes from these two countries is taking place it directly affects Afghanistan for the existence of an inseparable link with these two countries both geographically and culturally.