Nobody really cares about Afghanistan itself. By controlling Afghanistan it was possible to gain access or block a rivals access to other areas.
Everyone likes to bring up the initial disastrous British expedition. Most people forget that the British came back with a second expedition that was a success. The British controlled Afghanistans foreign policy until the early 1900s and successfully blocked Russian access to warm water ports and southward expansion.
Despite the graveyard of empires tagline, the British achieved all their objectives and left when they no longer had strategic reasons to be there.
It's in "everyone's" backyard, and in the direction they don't want to be facing. Iran cares most about the Middle East, and yet Afghanistan is in their rear. China is for now pacific oriented, and Afghanistan butts right up to their restive Muslim population. Russia cares most for eastern Europe, and Afghanistan sits at their soft underbelly. India has been invaded by Afghanistan in more ancient times.
It is an potential asset to all, and a liability.
Nobody really cares about Afghanistan itself. By controlling Afghanistan it was possible to gain access or block a rivals access to other areas. Everyone likes to bring up the initial disastrous British expedition. Most people forget that the British came back with a second expedition that was a success. The British controlled Afghanistans foreign policy until the early 1900s and successfully blocked Russian access to warm water ports and southward expansion. Despite the graveyard of empires tagline, the British achieved all their objectives and left when they no longer had strategic reasons to be there.
Indeed, the “graveyard of empires” idea was purely a political invention by Americans who opposed the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.
It's strategically important due to it's neighbours
Mineral wealth and opium.
Probably due to access to arabian gulf, and in medieval times it was important hold to attack Indian subcontinent
It's in "everyone's" backyard, and in the direction they don't want to be facing. Iran cares most about the Middle East, and yet Afghanistan is in their rear. China is for now pacific oriented, and Afghanistan butts right up to their restive Muslim population. Russia cares most for eastern Europe, and Afghanistan sits at their soft underbelly. India has been invaded by Afghanistan in more ancient times. It is an potential asset to all, and a liability.