Conflicts never bring peace—only suffering. The weight of war is not just measured in casualties but in the silent devastation it leaves behind: shattered economies, razed infrastructure, generations lost to displacement and despair. Not a single glimmer of hope remains; even a simple smile seems too far-fetched for those trapped in the cycle of war and conflicts.
Whether it’s Palestine or Kashmir, where occupation forces continue to impose conflict, or Afghanistan and Syria, which have seen foreign troops depart but remain haunted by the aftershocks, or neighboring countries like Pakistan that bear the burden—the agony remains the same.
“This is why Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) never desired war; it was always the last resort: “Do not desire an encounter with the enemy, but when you encounter them, be firm.” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3026, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1741].
Yet, history keeps repeating itself.
Syria – Victim of Civil War & Intervention
A recent UNDP report titled “The Impact of the Conflict in Syria“, released on February 20, 2025, marks 14 years of war—undoing four decades of progress.
- $800 billion in lost GDP, setting Syria back by decades.
- Three out of four Syrians rely on humanitarian aid for survival.
- Poverty has nearly tripled—90% of the population is struggling, while 66% live in extreme poverty, six times higher than before the war.
- Over 600,000 dead, 113,000 missing, and millions displaced.
- Half of Syria’s children (ages 6-15) are out of school.
- One-third of homes destroyed, leaving 5.7 million homeless.
- Half of water and sewage systems damaged, leaving 14 million without clean water.
- 70% of power infrastructure damaged, cutting energy output by 80%.
- The Human Development Index (HDI) has plummeted below 1990 levels.
- At 1.3% growth, GDP recovery would take 55 years (until 2080). To recover in 15 years, Syria would need a 5% growth rate; for a full turnaround, 14% is required.
A country that survived centuries of history is now barely surviving the war, trapped in an economic paralysis that seems impossible to reverse. But Syria isn’t alone in this struggle.
Afghanistan: Four Years After War, Still Fighting to Survive
Syria has just come out of war, but Afghanistan—four years post-war—remains trapped in its aftermath. The scars of decades of fighting still haunt its people. From diseases caused by chemical weapons to an economy struggling to stand, the battle is far from over.
- According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) report from 2021, 111,000 civilians have been killed or injured since 2009 due to NATO forces and their regional allies.
- Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani admitted in 2019 that over 45,000 Afghan security personnel had died in just five years of his rule.
Battlefields turned into graveyards. Parents buried sons, and brothers fought on opposite sides—one for the former Afghan Defense Forces, the other for the resistant forces. Finally, after more than a decade of war, the U.S. withdrew, with Pakistan playing a crucial role in facilitating peace talks.
Pakistan: The Collateral Damage of Afghanistan’s War
Pakistan did not start the Afghan war, yet it continues to bear the brunt of Afghanistan’s instability, suffering the consequences of a war it did not start. The cost?
- Over 80,000 Pakistani lives lost.
- Direct and indirect economic losses exceed $450 billion—far beyond any aid received.
- Between 2001 and 2017 alone, Pakistan suffered $7.7 billion in annual economic losses, totaling $123.2 billion—more than its entire education, health, and social welfare budget combined.
Also See: The Fallout of Abandoned US Military Equipment in Afghanistan
Who Pays the Price?
Beyond the numbers, millions of Afghans were displaced, forced to leave their homes and memories behind for an uncertain exile. The burden didn’t fall solely on them—Pakistan, already grappling with economic challenges, bore much of the weight. Despite NATO forces’ promises to resettle Afghans who worked with them, these assurances remain largely unfulfilled. Now, under new U.S. policies following Trump-era refugee restrictions, over 40,000 Afghans remain stranded in Pakistan, many facing the terrifying prospect of returning to Afghanistan—a place where, for them, it’s a matter of life or death.
The Harsh Reality
The world’s leading powers prioritize their strategic interests, leaving those most affected to fend for themselves. Reports highlight staggering economic devastation, yet recovery projections remain unrealistically optimistic. Without policy shifts, regional cooperation, and sustained global aid, stagnation seems inevitable.
Instability deters investment. The way forward demands more than just security measures—it requires economic confidence. Strengthening regional trade ties is not an option; it is a necessity. If Western sanctions come into play, self-reliance will be the only survival strategy.
For nations like Syria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, the lesson remains unchanged—wars do not end when the fighting stops. The suffering endures for generations, long after the last bullet is fired. Is it truly as simple as occupation forces promise for war-torn nations to recover? Or are they merely casualties in a larger global power game?
PAYF Insights are social media threads by various authors, reproduced here for wider consumption.
