By Dr. Gholam Mujtaba.
June 27, 2025 : The changing dynamics of Middle Eastern diplomacy and regional security highlight clear differences between effective geopolitical planning and weak national implementation. A report by the Times of Israel stated that President Donald J. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed in a phone call that the war in Gaza could end within two weeks. The plan involves establishing a post-Hamas government in Gaza run by four Arab countries, including the UAE and Egypt. Hamas leaders would be exiled, and all hostages would be released—a notable development echoing Trump’s Abraham Accord strategy aimed at normalizing Arab-Israeli relations with the ultimate goal of a two-state solution.
However, in a conflicting statement reported today by the same Times of Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu denied agreeing to any U.S.-backed peace framework that includes endorsing a future Palestinian state. The contradiction calls for clarity, but one thing is certain: President Trump will not back down from his vision of peace. The Abraham Accords—widely credited for reshaping the regional diplomatic landscape—remain the cornerstone of his Middle East policy.
The perceived role of the UAE and Egypt in managing post-war Gaza shows a growing consensus among pragmatic Arab nations. However, Pakistan, despite being the only Muslim nuclear power and having recently achieved a quick and decisive military victory against India, seems to be left out. This absence from a key diplomatic arrangement is not just a strategic oversight—it’s a failure of foreign policy implementation.
Pakistan’s diplomatic machinery has once again proven ineffective, as shown by conflicting international reports on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defense Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China. Pakistani media outlets claimed that terrorism in Baluchistan was condemned during the meeting. However, Reuters and other international sources confirm that no such joint statement was issued due to a lack of consensus among member states. The misinformation raises serious concerns about narrative manipulation and the credibility of Pakistan’s diplomatic communication.
Meanwhile, Pakistan faces further reputational damage from a report published by Mediaite, citing U.S. intelligence that claims Pakistan is developing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the United States. Although this remains unverified, the timing of such reports during a period of increasing military capability but weak diplomatic engagement is harmful. Pakistan must proactively counter these claims through transparent international channels rather than letting adversarial narratives take hold.
Perhaps most alarming is the failure of Pakistan’s civilian diplomatic corps, which has yet to secure a single appointment at the U.S. State Department during an officially sponsored diplomatic tour. This failure sharply contrasts with the positive global perception of Pakistan’s military leadership, which has not only secured territorial security but also worked constructively with international defense partners.
Pakistan is at a critical point. While its military strategies have achieved results, the lack of coordinated, forward-thinking, and skilled civilian diplomacy is undermining its hard-won gains. To establish itself as a responsible and respected player on the global stage, Pakistan must overhaul its diplomatic approach, moving away from ceremonial visits toward outcome-focused engagement, replacing misinformation with credibility, and transforming silence into strategic communication. Without this transformation, Pakistan will remain a bystander in shaping the future of the Muslim world.
About the Author:?Dr. Gholam Mujtaba is a distinguished Pakistani-American political leader, global affairs analyst, and senior Republican strategist in the United States. He holds dual doctoral degrees—MD and Ed.D.—and serves as Chairman of the Pakistan Policy Institute USA. A cabinet-level advisor to President Donald J. Trump, Dr. Mujtaba is an advocate for Pakistan’s role in global diplomacy, economic reform, and intergovernmental strategic alignment.
