Pakistan's new clout puts it at centre of fragile geopolitical web

Pakistan's new clout puts it at centre of fragile geopolitical web Submitted by Kathy Gannon on Wed, 04/22/2026 - 14:31 Islamabad is relishing its new role as a diplomatic go-between, but its networking across competing geopolitical spheres will ultimately lead to a more fragile, combustible region US Vice President JD Vance (C) speaks with Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir (L) and Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar (R) after arriving for the US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad, 11 April 2026 (Jacquelyn Martin/Pool/AFP) On Long ignored or dismissed as a marginal player in world affairs, Pakistan is suddenly asserting itself. Its role in seeking to broker peace in Iran has propelled it onto front pages, but this shift has been long in the making. It is driven not by Pakistan's skills at diplomacy, but by its growing military power.