Relationship dossier
Afghanistan
Belgium
Relationship assessment
Belgian military and development engagement in Afghanistan accompanied Afghan cooperation with ISAF; the 2021 change of government altered the relationship.
Afghanistan toward Belgium
+10During the Islamic Republic period, Afghan authorities cooperated with Belgium’s contribution to the NATO-led ISAF mission. The extent of direct Afghan government cooperation specifically with Belgian authorities is unclear, and the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 changed the context.
Belgium toward Afghanistan
+30Belgium contributed troops to the NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan and provided development assistance. In 2021, Belgium evacuated people from Afghanistan and has not recognized the Taliban government.
Overall relationship
+15The relationship has included substantial Belgian security and development engagement alongside Afghan cooperation with the international mission. The Taliban’s return to power and Belgium’s non-recognition of its government mark a significant change in the relationship; the scope of subsequent direct engagement remains unclear.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
During the Islamic Republic period, Afghan authorities cooperated with Belgium’s military contribution to the NATO-led ISAF mission. Belgium also contributed troops and development assistance in Afghanistan. The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 changed the context: Belgium evacuated people from Afghanistan and has not recognized the Taliban government. The extent of subsequent direct government cooperation is unclear.
Areas of tension
- Belgium’s non-recognition of the Taliban government contrasts with the Taliban’s claim to govern Afghanistan.
- Restrictions imposed by Taliban authorities, particularly on women and girls, are at odds with Belgian policy and public criticism.
Key developments
Belgium contributed troops to the NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan.
Belgium evacuated people from Afghanistan amid the Taliban takeover.
Major uncertainties
- The scope of Afghan government cooperation specifically with Belgian authorities, rather than with the wider ISAF mission, is unclear.
- The extent of direct Belgian government engagement with Taliban authorities after 2021 is unclear.