2025 in Review: Key Events Shaping Afghanistan and World
DID Press: A special report reviews the defining developments of 2025, a year marked by geopolitical tension, economic uncertainty, climate shocks and ongoing conflicts that influenced millions of lives worldwide, including in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan — key developments
Security and internal dynamics:
Afghanistan continued to face security and political challenges. While sporadic attacks by armed groups persisted and concerns grew over hidden militant cells, some areas experienced a relative decline in violence.
Economic pressure:
Afghanistan economy remained in deep recession, constrained by low domestic revenues and banking restrictions. Unemployment stayed high and households struggled to meet basic needs. Declining humanitarian aid raised fears about worsening hardship.
Humanitarian conditions and migration:
Drought, water shortages and weak agricultural output fuelled internal displacement and outward migration, as families sought work and safety in cities and neighbouring countries.
Education and society:
Restrictions on girls’ education remained in place, prompting repeated warnings from international organizations about long-term consequences. Civil society and independent media continued to operate under pressure.
Infrastructure and energy:
Despite constraints, several small and medium-scale projects in energy, road building and water management moved forward, including local solar power initiatives and efforts to expand access to electricity and drinking water.
Global developments — highlights
Armed conflict dominated the strategic landscape. The war in Gaza resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis; the war in Ukraine continued to destabilize Europe; and fighting in Sudan, Myanmar and other regions persisted. Tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan escalated into repeated border clashes. A direct confrontation between Israel and Iran raised fears of regional escalation. India–Pakistan frictions intensified to levels some analysts described as the most dangerous in years.
Beyond conflict, 2025 saw heightened rivalry among major powers, record heat and extreme weather, new investment in clean energy and nuclear technologies, volatile global markets, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence, precision medicine and space exploration.
Conclusion
2025 was defined by war, competition and climate stress, offset in part by scientific progress and growth in renewable energy. Afghanistan remained trapped between economic fragility and humanitarian strain, even as limited development projects continued. The outlook will depend on regional politics, international assistance and the country’s capacity to manage compounding crises.