Magazine says military leadership has access, discipline and networks key to facilitating high-risk conflicts
The article said that Pakistan’s military leadership also played a very important role in peace building in the region. PHOTO: APP
As regional tensions continue to reshape the geopolitical landscape, Pakistan has firmly established itself as a critical player in international diplomacy, effectively stepping into the role of a key mediator in the ongoing US-Iran crisis.
In a recent article, US-based The national interest magazine highlights the importance of Islamabad’s evolving role, noting that Pakistan’s military leadership successfully navigated a complex diplomatic landscape with great effort. This shift marks a remarkable transition for Pakistan, moving it from the periphery of Middle Eastern politics to a central player.
After the onset of the current regional conflict, Pakistan’s intervention has been decisive. In mid-April, under the guidance of the Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Islamabad facilitated high-level talks between senior US and Iranian delegations. The engagement, which was held in Islamabad on 12-13 April, marked the first direct meeting between senior officials from both nations since 1979.
Read more: Pakistan Rises: The Power of Mediation in Global Conflict
Authored by Canadian journalist Tanya Goudsouzian and Ibrahim al-Marashi, an associate professor at California State University, the article highlights the “non-kinetic potential” of Pakistan’s military leadership, which has enabled the country to facilitate dialogue where conventional diplomacy had stalled.
The military leaders often possess unique capabilities, including direct access to foreign counterparts and the ability to discreetly engage with adversaries, that civilian institutions may lack.
The article notes that the country’s military leadership possesses the access, discipline and strategic networks necessary to support de-escalation in high-risk conflicts. It says Pakistan’s diplomatic clout is attributed to ties with regional players including China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Jordan.
Former foreign minister Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, writing about the dynamics of modern diplomacy, noted: “Apart from economic and public diplomacy, military diplomacy has emerged as an important element of the diplomatic toolkit. States today harness the non-kinetic potential of their armed forces to advance foreign policy and national security objectives.”
This diplomatic emphasis is supported by a professional, merit-based system that defines Pakistan’s military establishment. Ambassador Major General (Retd) Tariq Rashid Khan emphasized in an interview that the armed forces operate within a “highly structured, transparent and rigorous career progression system” that offers a context that strengthens Pakistan’s credibility on the international stage.
CDF Munir’s recent diplomatic engagements – ranging from visits to Tehran to high-level meetings with leaders in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar – have further strengthened Pakistan’s position. These efforts, including the mutual defense pact signed with Saudi Arabia in September 2025, have effectively projected Pakistan’s influence far beyond South Asia.
Read more: Pakistan pushes ahead with peace efforts
While the road to a lasting peace remains complex, the efforts of Pakistan’s leadership have provided a constructive opening.
Leveraging its strategic relationships and military diplomacy, Pakistan has not only influenced the trajectory of the current ceasefire effort, but has redefined its status as an indispensable partner for peace in a volatile, interconnected geopolitical zone.
The op-ed argues that Pakistan is successfully filling a diplomatic void left by weakened traditional mediators, regional divisions and the limited effectiveness of international institutions.
