Islamabad: Former president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and former Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, Masood Khan has warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has already evolved into a large-scale regional confrontation with far-reaching geopolitical and economic consequences.<\/p>\n
According to Kashmir Media Service, Masood Khan in a televised interview, analyzing the evolving security environment in the Middle East, observed the conflict has expanded far beyond a limited military engagement. He noted that nearly fourteen countries are currently under direct attack or involved in hostilities, while the broader strategic environment suggests that approximately twenty-one to twenty-two countries are directly or indirectly affected by the war.<\/p>\n
He remarked this conflict represents one of the largest military confrontations since the end of the Second World War. Unlike earlier wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, which were limited in scope and conducted by coalition forces against individual states, the present conflict has expanded across a wider theatre, involving multiple state and non-state actors and affecting global markets and strategic routes, he added.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that the war had already disrupted economic stability, particularly through rising oil and gas prices and volatility in international financial markets. Major economies in East Asia\u2014including China, Japan, and South Korea\u2014are facing significant pressure due to energy supply vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n
He cautioned if disruptions continue, particularly in critical maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, the world could face a broader energy and economic crisis.
\nDiscussing the implications for Pakistan, Masood Khan emphasized that instability in Iran could create serious security challenges along Pakistan\u2019s western border. He warned that any prolonged internal instability in Iran, including the possibility of civil conflict in its border regions, could exacerbate security vulnerabilities in Balochistan and increase the risk of cross-border militant activity.<\/p>\n
From a diplomatic perspective, he said Pakistan has maintained a constructive and balanced approach. Prior to the outbreak of the conflict, Pakistan had strengthened its relations with the United States, expanded strategic cooperation with Gulf countries, and signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia. These steps, he said, were aimed at enhancing Pakistan\u2019s security and economic resilience.<\/p>\n
He further said Pakistan continues to advocate for de-escalation and dialogue, maintaining contacts with Gulf states, Iran, and other regional actors in an effort to prevent further escalation. However, he acknowledged that the ultimate decisions shaping the trajectory of the conflict are being taken in Washington and Tel Aviv.<\/p>\n
Masood Khan also highlighted the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict and observed that while Russia and China had criticized the escalation and expressed diplomatic support for Iran, neither power appears willing to engage directly in the conflict due to the risk of triggering a wider global war.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe continuation of this conflict carries grave risks not only for the Middle East but for the entire international system,\u201d Ambassador Masood Khan concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad: Former president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and former Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, Masood Khan has warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has already evolved into a large-scale regional confrontation with far-reaching geopolitical and economic consequences. According to Kashmir Media Service, Masood Khan in a televised interview, analyzing the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":195827,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-196349","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ajk"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t