Interaction of SCO Member States: The Case of the Afghan Problem

Member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which include Asian and European countries, each with diverse cultural roots and levels of development, form a complex network of relationships. A typical example of the interaction among SCO member states is the Afghan issue, as the member states have close ties with Afghanistan and all face multifaceted challenges such as religion, counter-terrorism, refugees, and drug trafficking. The subject of this article is the interaction of SCO member states concerning Afghanistan, analyzing the models of interaction and the influencing factors of member states on the Afghan issue from the perspective of relational theory. The objectives of the study are: to analyze the mechanism of interaction among SCO member states, the role of promotion, hedging, and rethinking in the process of cooperation among member states; to provide theoretical justifications and political recommendations for the development of the SCO after the expansion of the organization. Based on relational theory, this article analyzes the interactions among SCO member states, draws lessons for the development of the SCO after expansion, and contributes to building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind. The article employs comparative analysis to examine the differences and influences of identity and interests by comparing the interactions of various member states regarding the Afghan issue. The novelty of this article lies in its analysis of the interactions among member states of international organizations through the lens of relational theory, emphasizing that identity and interests occupy a central place in interactions. In conclusion, despite the complexity of the Afghan issue, SCO member states face numerous challenges, wherein a multi-level and multi-dimensional mode of interaction among member states on the Afghan issue is shaped based on the promotion of identity and common interests. Identity serves as an important foundation for interaction among member states, while common interests are the main driving force behind their cooperation. SCO cooperation on the Afghan issue entails the following: establishing a regular SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group based on identity to expand influence over Afghanistan and maintain regional peace and security; addressing the dilemmas of conflicting interests, enhancing mutual trust, and practicing multilateralism through bilateral or multilateral means of interaction.