Pakistan: An Unfailing State in a Failing Neighborhood

This Analysis by Brig (r) Said Nazir, senior associate at IPS, explores Pakistan’s role as an unfailing state in a failing neighbourhood and the strategic weight of its geography. The analysis highlights Pakistan’s survivalist diplomacy, its mediation between Washington and Tehran, and its paradoxical ability to converge adversaries rather than divide them. It examines how Pakistan impeccably leverages its position as a trusted yet distrusted actor, balancing ties with Saudi Arabia, Iran, the US, and China while guarding vital energy corridors. Importantly, the insight underscores Pakistan’s persistence as a formidable power, its capacity to absorb shocks, and its pivotal relevance in regional stability despite persistent internal strains.