The peace process is mired in stalemate, and this security flare-up comes after a series of de-escalation attempts that have not translated into tangible understandings on the ground, confirming that the peace process between the two countries remains stuck in a stalemate. The failure of those efforts—whether through military communication channels or regional mediation—paved the way for a return to square one, revealing the depth of border disputes and the conflicting political and security calculations between Kabul and Islamabad. In a new escalation that reflects the fragility of diplomatic efforts between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the drums of war are once again being beaten along the Afghan-Pakistani border amid intense crossfire that has left dead and wounded on both sides. As mutual accusations continue, the situation
