“We are the ones they come to when nobody can help”: Afghan smugglers’ perceptions of themselves and their communities

This paper analyses smugglers’ perceptions of themselves and their relationships with their communities in Afghanistan. Through interviews with 23 smugglers across three Afghan sites, the study focuses on micro-level dynamics, examining how smugglers see their roles in society and how these perceptions have evolved. The paper highlights that smuggling networks have a long-standing and respected place in Afghan culture. However, in recent years, smugglers report that the profession’s reputation has declined, partly due to changes in the legal landscape and the rise of financially driven smugglers.