



Pakistan steps into spotlight amid fog of US-Iran war
the New York Times. This is to give Trump additional military options even as he weighs a new diplomatic initiative with the Islamic republic, according to the report.“About 2,300 Marines from the 31st Expeditionary Unit are scheduled to arrive in the Middle East later this week, and U.S.
commanders could also use them to seize Kharg Island or to help clear the Strait of Hormuz,” the report said.But doesn’t this call out those who have been saying the US is looking for an “off-ramp”—i.e., a way to de-escalate?Guess this is what they call the “fog of war".Now, to the question that has been raised about India having lost out to Pakistan as a peace broker.For one, no one would have thought that India had lost out or been sidelined if Pakistan hadn’t been on the scene. Most would have shrugged and moved on after reading that Turkey and/or Egypt were trying to broker peace between the US, Israel, and Iran.Second, India is clear that it will not mediate in its own disputes with other countries, so should it offer to play such a role in others’ crises?Third, Pakistan has geography on its side—it borders Iran.
It is also a Muslim country, and it's been playing the role of intermediary between the US and Iran for decades. Tehran's de facto diplomatic mission in the US has been hosted at Pakistan's embassy in Washington since diplomatic relations between the US and Iran ruptured in 1979.Having said that, Pakistan’s fortunes have turned around in Trump 2.0, with Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir building a close relationship with the US President to repair years of mistrust.
Read on livemint.com