Author: Nazish Mehmood

In the shifting geometry of global power politics, some states react to crises and a few quietly shape how crises are managed. Pakistan belongs to the latter category. Positioned at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the wider Eurasian arc, Pakistan has repeatedly emerged not as a peripheral observer of international diplomacy, but as a functional bridge at moments when strategic communication between rival powers has broken down. The current discourse on Pakistan’s potential mediating role between Washington and Tehran is therefore not an anomaly; it is a continuation of a deeper historical pattern embedded…

In recent weeks, discussions about Iran’s potential military moves have focused almost exclusively on the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts and media outlets have repeatedly warned that a closure of this vital maritime chokepoint could paralyze global oil supplies. While this is certainly a serious threat, the real danger may lie elsewhere – in Iran’s ability to target the broader oil and gas infrastructure of its neighbours in the Persian Gulf. The logic behind this is simple. Iran has long been aware that mere threats can sometimes slow down American or international interventions. But if Tehran were to escalate from threats…

In recent years, a worrying trend has emerged in India’s education landscape. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, the number of Indian students heading abroad for higher education has dropped sharply by 31%. According to official statistics from the Bureau of Immigration, this number dropped from 908,000 in 2023 to only 626,000 in 2025. This is a serious concern regarding the educational and diplomatic policies of India. Being a person who firmly believes in the concept of global education and how it can shape young minds and achieve a faster pace of a nation, I am sure that it is…

India has just announced a new trade agreement with the United States, and the Modi government is loudly celebrating it. It is reported to have been a big strategic win, a milestone in strengthening friendship, and a clear indication that India is now at the global trade table. On the face of it, the rhetoric is powerful and persuasive. However, when you get past the headlines and the glorification, the merger begins to look a lot less impressive. What is being offered as a victory is rather a one-sided compromise with diplomatic wording.The main problem is that there is a…