Afghanistan
vs
Israel
The relation between Afghanistan and Israel is NEUTRAL, with an overall score of 4.16 out of 10.
Chance of conflict between both countries: rare
Head to head: who leads each category
Afghanistan
43.8M
Leads
Israel
10.1M
Afghanistan
$17.8B
Israel
$610.8B
Leads
Afghanistan
$278.3M
Israel
$46.5B
Leads
Afghanistan
#57
Israel
#5
Leads
About this relationship
Israel and Afghanistan do not currently maintain formal diplomatic relations. The relationship has historically been shaped by Afghanistan's position within the Muslim world, the Arab-Israeli conflict and the political changes that have transformed Afghanistan's governments.
Afghanistan did not establish sustained formal diplomatic relations with Israel after Israel's creation in 1948. During the Cold War and subsequent decades, political circumstances in Afghanistan and its relations with Arab and Muslim countries limited the possibility of official ties.
Israel and Afghanistan have nevertheless appeared in regional and international discussions at different times. Afghan governments have generally linked the possibility of closer relations with Israel to developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Under the Taliban's return to power in 2021, Afghanistan's relationship with Israel remained unofficial. The Taliban authorities do not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, and there is no Israeli embassy in Kabul or Afghan embassy in Israel.
Economic relations are consequently very limited. There are no substantial bilateral trade or investment structures comparable with Israel's relations with countries that maintain formal diplomatic ties.
Humanitarian and individual contacts have occasionally attracted attention. Israel has also been involved indirectly in international humanitarian discussions concerning Afghanistan, although this has not produced a formal bilateral relationship.
The Jewish presence in Afghanistan has almost disappeared. Afghanistan historically had a small Jewish community, but most members left during the twentieth century. The last known members of the community eventually left Afghanistan following the country's political deterioration and the Taliban takeover.
The wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a major obstacle to closer relations. Afghanistan's political authorities and many Afghan political actors have traditionally expressed support for Palestinian rights and opposed Israeli control over Palestinian territories.
Overall, Israel-Afghanistan relations remain extremely limited and lack formal diplomatic ties. Historical political circumstances, Afghanistan's relations with the Muslim world and the unresolved Israeli-Palestinian conflict have prevented the development of a substantial bilateral relationship.
Strengths & comparison
The position in the international influence ranking of Israel is 5, while Afghanistan is situated 52 places below in the ranking (position 57). Israel maintains contact with 158 countries, while Afghanistan maintains contact with 34 countries. Israel maintains an excellent relation with 18 countries, while in the case of Afghanistan, this figure drops to 6.
About Afghanistan
Afghanistan is a country located in South and Central Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the south and east, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north, and China to the far northeast. The country has a complex history and has been a battleground for various powers throughout its history.
In recent times, Afghanistan has been embroiled in conflict for several decades, starting with the Soviet invasion in 1979 and continuing with the civil war that followed. The country has also been a major theater of operations in the War on Terror, with the United States and other countries intervening in the country after the September 11th attacks in 2001.
Since then, Afghanistan has seen significant political and social upheaval, including the rise and fall of the Taliban, the establishment of a new government, and ongoing violence and conflict with various militant groups. The country has also struggled with issues such as corruption, poverty, and a lack of infrastructure and development.
Despite these challenges, Afghanistan has made some progress in recent years, including holding successful elections and making progress on issues such as women's rights and education. However, the country still faces many challenges and will likely continue to be a focus of international attention for the foreseeable future.
Geography & terrain
Landlocked, no coastline. Rugged and mountainous, dominated by the Hindu Kush range, with arid plains and deserts in the south and west. Climate is arid to semiarid, with harsh winters at altitude. Famously difficult to conquer and hold: the high passes and compartmentalized valleys favor local defenders and have worn down successive outside armies over centuries.
About Israel
Israel is a small country located in the Middle East, on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan and the West Bank to the east, and Egypt and the Gaza Strip to the southwest.
Israel has a population of about 9 million people, and is a democratic and parliamentary republic. The official languages are Hebrew and Arabic, and the currency is the Israeli shekel.
Israel has a complex and often tumultuous history, and its modern political landscape is shaped by its position as a predominantly Jewish state in a region with a large Arab population. Relations between Israel and its neighbors have been strained at times, and the country has been involved in several wars and conflicts over the years.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a major source of tension in the region for decades. Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territories that are home to a large Palestinian population, has been a particularly contentious issue. Efforts to reach a peaceful resolution to the conflict have been ongoing for many years, but have so far been unsuccessful.
Israel is also involved in regional politics and has strong ties with the United States, which is a major ally and provider of military aid. Israel is a member of several international organizations, including the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
Geography & terrain
A narrow Mediterranean coastal plain gives way to central hills, the Jordan Rift Valley, and the arid Negev desert in the south. Mostly Mediterranean climate, turning desert further south. Has a Mediterranean coastline. The narrow width leaves little strategic depth, but the eastern high ground overlooking the Jordan Valley has real defensive value, making that terrain a historic strategic prize.
| Afghanistan |
Israel |
|
|---|---|---|
| Government type | Islamic emirate | Parliamentary republic |
| GDP | $17.8B | $610.8BLeads |
| GDP per capita | $417 | $60.3KLeads |
| Military expenditure | $278.3M | $46.5BLeads |
| Military expenditure per capita | $6 | $4.6KLeads |
| Land military expenditure (estimation) | $222.6M | $18.6BLeads |
| Air military expenditure (estimation) | $55.7M | $18.6BLeads |
| Naval military expenditure (estimation) | n/a | $9.3B |
| Nuclear power | No | Yes |
| European Union | Not a member | Not a member |
| NATO | Not a member | Not a member |
Strengths & comparison
The capitals of Afghanistan and Israel are approximately 3 165 km apart (straight-line distance). There is a standard time difference of about 2.5 hours between them.
Based on shared language, currency, economic profile, borders and international groups, Afghanistan and Israel score a 0/100 similarity index. This is a fun, approximate metric — not a scientific one.
Excellent relation (7+/10) with both countries
Which side is each country closer to?
Comparing Afghanistan's and Israel's scores against the same third countries shows where each one has a clear edge. Afghanistan scores noticeably higher with: Russia, Turkey, Spain, Iran, France.Israel scores noticeably higher with: Japan, India, Pakistan, South Korea, United Arab Emirates.
The relation between Afghanistan and Israel has decreased recently by 0.2 points, reaching an overall score of 4.2 from a previous value of 4.4.
Score history
Let's suppose a hypothetical conflict occurs between both countries:
Solo scenario: Afghanistan vs Israel
Allies scenario: Team Afghanistan vs Team Israel
In a hypothetical conflict between Afghanistan and Israel, probably, Turkey will participate helping Afghanistan.
India will participate helping Israel.
Battle narrative
Initial phase
Israel's larger military budget and stronger air power give it an advantage in the initial stages of the conflict, with the ability to target key military positions and infrastructure.
Force composition
Israel can also call on significantly more personnel, counting both active-duty and reserve forces. Israel's advantage extends to naval power as well.
Ground campaign
Afghanistan's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: Famously difficult to conquer and hold: the high passes and compartmentalized valleys favor local defenders and have worn down successive outside armies over centuries. Khyber Pass would likely be a focal point of the campaign: The main historic route through the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan, long used for invasion, trade, and troop movement. Israel's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: The narrow width leaves little strategic depth, but the eastern high ground overlooking the Jordan Valley has real defensive value, making that terrain a historic strategic prize. Golan Heights would likely be a focal point of the campaign: Elevated terrain overlooking southern Syria and northern Israel, giving whoever holds it early warning and artillery range advantages. Afghanistan's larger population could also support a prolonged resistance.
Prolonged conflict
Israel's stronger economy could help sustain military operations in a prolonged conflict. Israel also devotes a larger share of its economy to defense (about 7.6% of GDP), a more militarized posture that could be easier to sustain over time. Occupying Afghanistan outright would likely prove costly given its terrain.
Overall assessment
Israel would be more likely to prevail in this matchup, with an estimated 74.4% probability of winning. Achieving a decisive victory over Afghanistan — let alone occupying it — would likely be more difficult than that headline number suggests.
Initial phase
With both the bigger war chest and the stronger air force, Israel's team is well placed to seize the initiative early, striking key military and infrastructure targets first.
Force composition
Israel's team can also call on significantly more personnel, counting both active-duty and reserve forces. Israel's team's advantage extends to naval power as well.
Ground campaign
Israel's team's larger population could also support a prolonged resistance.
Coalition
Afghanistan's team goes into this conflict as a coalition of Turkey and Afghanistan. Israel's team goes into this conflict as a coalition of India and Israel. Coordinating several countries at once adds combined strength for both sides, but also extra logistical and political complexity.
Prolonged conflict
Israel's team's stronger economy could help sustain military operations in a prolonged conflict. Israel's team also devotes a larger share of its economy to defense (about 2.9% of GDP), a more militarized posture that could be easier to sustain over time.
Overall assessment
Israel's team would be more likely to prevail in this matchup, with an estimated 65.2% probability of winning. Achieving a decisive victory over Afghanistan's team — let alone occupying it — would likely be more difficult than that headline number suggests.
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