On April 26, 2023, a meeting was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with the aim of finding a regional solution to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. The meeting brought together representatives from Afghanistan's neighboring countries, including Iran, Pakistan, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as the United Nations and the European Union. Despite the participants' stated commitment to finding a durable solution to the conflict, the meeting ended up being a half-baked attempt at resolving Afghanistan's endless woes.

One of the key shortcomings of the Samarkand meeting was the absence of the Afghan government. While the meeting was ostensibly aimed at finding a regional solution to Afghanistan's conflict, it is difficult to see how this could have been achieved without the participation of the Afghan government. As it stands, the meeting lacked legitimacy and the decisions made there cannot be considered representative of the Afghan people.

Another issue with the meeting was the lack of concrete proposals or solutions. While the participants discussed the need for regional cooperation and support for the Afghan peace process, there were no concrete proposals or plans put forward. Instead, the meeting was characterized by vague statements and platitudes, such as the need for "peace, stability, and development" in Afghanistan. This lack of substance is unlikely to bring about any meaningful change on the ground.

Additionally, the meeting was marred by geopolitical tensions and rivalries. For instance, Pakistan and India, which have long been at loggerheads, used the meeting to air their grievances against each other. Similarly, Iran and Saudi Arabia used the meeting to compete for influence in the region. This infighting and politicking only served to further undermine the credibility of the meeting and its ability to produce tangible results.

In conclusion, while the Samarkand meeting was well-intentioned, it was ultimately a half-baked attempt at finding a regional solution to Afghanistan's conflict. The absence of the Afghan government, lack of concrete proposals, and geopolitical tensions all contributed to the meeting's shortcomings. If the international community is serious about finding a durable solution to Afghanistan's conflict, it must involve the Afghan government and develop concrete proposals that address the root causes of the conflict.

Furthermore, the Samarkand meeting failed to address some of the most pressing issues in Afghanistan. For instance, the issue of the Taliban was largely ignored, despite the fact that the group continues to control large swathes of territory in Afghanistan and remains a significant obstacle to any lasting peace. Similarly, the meeting did not address the issue of human rights abuses in Afghanistan, which have been a major concern for the international community.

Another issue with the Samarkand meeting was the lack of participation from key regional players such as India, Russia, and the United States. These countries have played a significant role in Afghanistan in recent years, and their absence from the meeting raises questions about its effectiveness and credibility.

Overall, the Samarkand meeting was a missed opportunity for the international community to take meaningful action to address the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. While regional cooperation is important, it must be accompanied by concrete proposals and a commitment to addressing the root causes of the conflict. Without these elements, the Samarkand meeting and similar initiatives are unlikely to bring about any lasting change in Afghanistan. The international community must remain committed to finding a durable solution to Afghanistan's conflict, and work closely with the Afghan government to achieve this goal.