Pakistan’s History of Diplomatic Mediation and the US-Iran War |
With the two-week ceasefire, both the US and Iran are claiming victory in the war. The claim of victory of either side is debatable. However, the victory of a third country is irrefutable, and that is Pakistan. After years of global isolation, Pakistan has emerged as a strong diplomatic power on the global stage in recent years. The world has witnessed the pinnacle of Pakistan’s diplomatic influence in the recent ceasefire between the United States and Iran, as the country played a critical role in de-escalating regional tensions. However, Pakistan’s role as an international mediator is not new. For decades, Pakistan has been involved in quiet diplomacy among different nations.
However, some populist political leaders in the past damaged the country’s international standing through their populist moves. Such leaders turned statecraft into megaphone diplomacy, subordinating the country’s foreign policy to mere theatrics to enhance their populism. Indeed, such theatrics and moves help populist leaders win public popularity. However, this always comes at the expense of the nation’s international standing. Countries led by populist figures, as seen in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, often face the risk of diplomatic isolation driven by rhetoric and political theatrics. The same happened with Pakistan.
Nevertheless, Pakistan, just like a phoenix, has once again risen from the ashes. The country is now known around the world for its strong diplomatic influence. Since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, there has been widespread fear of a broader regional war in the Middle East, which could ultimately lead to World War 3. The US President Donald Trump’s self-imposed deadline and his threat to demolish “a whole civilization” further increased fear around the globe. Pakistan’s timely intervention led to peace negotiations, following a two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. However, this is not the first time........