- Does Pakistan have a mediatory role in region?
Sharply rising tensions in the Middle East de-escalated, at least for the time being, after President Trump blinked first during the ongoing eyeball to eyeball confrontation with Iran. The President backed away from further escalating the military conflict by limiting the US to imposing more sanctions on Tehran and vowing not to allow it to become a nuclear power. Irrespective of the contradictory claims about American casualties, It should be a matter of satisfaction for Iran that it attacked the military cantonments of the superpower, hit targets with precision and faced no reprisals. The subsequent de-escalation by Trump deserves welcome as it relieves concerns about world peace
American travails in the Middle East are unlikely to end as long it maintains its military presence in the region. The Iraqi Parliament has demanded the evacuation of US and allied troops from its soil. The killing of the Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis alongside Iranian Gen Soleimani has added to the violent instability that will put more pressure on the US to evacuate or face unending public protests as well as attacks by Iraqi militant networks. On Wednesday two rockets hit near the US embassy in Baghdad’s Green Zone
Israel and most of the Gulf kingdoms had expected that the US would come down hard on Iran for the rocket attacks. The failure on the US’ part to flex muscles is likely to cause dismay among its Arab allies and Israel. This might persuade some of the Gulf kingdoms to open dialogue with the Iranian leadership for peace instead of depending on the US for their security.
Pakistan rightly concluded that an escalation will have serious implications for Pakistan. Islamabad can at best convey its concerns to both the Gulf Arab regimes and Iran. Attempts to act as arbitrator by former PM Nawaz Sharif and successor Imran Khan were rejected out of hand. Any running around for the same purpose would be seen as nothing more than a gesture for domestic consumption. Unless Pakistan sets its house in order, develops an industrial base and has a financial clout, it would be futile on its part to seek the role of an arbitrator.
