Pakistan’s changing Middle East approach and the question of national interest |
Pakistan’s changing Middle East approach and the question of national interest
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Pakistan has emerged as a frontline state in the backdrop of the conflict involving Iran, US and its Gulf partners. In its role as a mediator, the country has tried to bridge the gaps between the two sides and provide them a trusted channel of communication. This Pakistani political and diplomatic activism is an interesting shift and raises critical questions regarding the evolving nature of Pakistan’s national interest and regional ambitions. It has also initiated a debate about whether Pakistan actually has the wherewithal and necessary political will to continue its role as a regional mediator while also balancing its new security commitments toward regional partners and the country’s endemic economic issues.
Traditionally, Pakistan has been a relatively passive player in Middle Eastern conflicts. Its support for any party or cause has mainly been diplomatic and other than Pakistani air force involvement during the 1973 Ramadan war, the country’s military........