Think Tanks and the Pathology of Their Performance in Afghanistan (2004-2024)

Think tanks are institutions and organizations engaged in research, analysis, policy-making, planning, foresight, and future studies in the fields of humanities, social sciences, economics, politics, and even military affairs. Although perspectives on the role of think tanks vary, they primarily focus on identifying problems, prioritizing major programs, conducting research and analysis, presenting new ideas, advising decision-makers, and shaping as well as influencing public opinion. The presence and activities of these institutions in Afghanistan—together with the limited impact of their achievements over the past twenty years—make the need for pathological research and performance assessment more pressing than ever. The main purpose of this study is to identify the functional problems and challenges faced by think tanks in Afghanistan and to provide practical solutions to address them. The central research question is: What have been the functional shortcomings of think tanks in Afghanistan over the past twenty years? The research method is qualitative, with data collected through library research and field interviews. This study is applied in its objective and analytical-descriptive in nature. The findings indicate that domestic think tanks, whether governmental or non-governmental, have faced challenges such as staff and capacity shortages, weak access to information, lack of financial independence, fragile scientific foundations, unstable organizational structures, absence of long-term programs, limited government support, lack of markets for their outputs, dependence on foreign aid, insufficient public trust, and a generally weak culture of utilizing these institutions.