Which country is commonly known as the buffer state of Asia?

Afghanistan is widely known as the “buffer state of Asia”, a title rooted in its long and complex geopolitical history. This nickname dates back to the 19th century during the era of the “Great Game,” when two powerful empires — the British Empire in the Indian subcontinent and the Russian Empire expanding from the north — were competing for influence in Central Asia. Afghanistan lay right between them, geographically and politically, acting as a neutral ground that prevented direct conflict. Because of its strategic location, the region naturally served as a shield or “buffer” that separated the rival powers, and that is how the term “buffer state” became associated with Afghanistan.

Over the years, Afghanistan continued to maintain this geopolitical significance. Its position at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East turned it into a meeting point of various cultures, trade routes, and political interests. Even in modern times, Afghanistan remains a region where global powers and neighboring countries maintain political, economic, and strategic interests. This balancing role — keeping major powers from direct clashes — is exactly what defines a buffer state.