Efforts to stabilize Afghanistan present obstacles that may never be overcome, but greater possibility is suggested by a regional approach. Yet its full implementation has been elusive. A review of the interests and concerns of Pakistan, India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the Central Asian republics, China, and Russia show that a stable outcome is not universally desired. Each player has its own issues from paranoia, to economic competition, to a desire to thwart U.S. influence, along with numerous others. All the critical parties must be educated about the consequences of failure to stabilize Afghanistan. Russia and China need to understand that the U.S. strategy complements their own economic and security interests, and a restoration of Central Asian trade would benefit everyone