Pakistan remains the key regional actor for stability in Afghanistan. Its influence, concerns and relationships will have to be considered in the Afghan peace process.

Many thorny issues face peace and reconciliation between the government and the Taliban, which is the accepted route to stability in Afghanistan.

First of a three-part series on Afghanistan: The international community agreed on a framework to stabilize Afghanistan at Bonn on December 5. This process however, could be stymied by the reality of the violence and conditions in the country.