INTERNATIONAL relations are becoming increasingly complex, given major power rivalries, the unilateral use of force, hyper nationalism, lethal technologies and anti-globalism. In such times, states use every instrument of national power to achieve foreign policy goals. Diplomatic methods have therefore expanded to assume multiple forms including economic, trade, cultural, public and even military diplomacy. Traditionally, diplomacy was confined to dispatching envoys to represent the country, negotiate on its behalf, and report on the host country’s policies. Not anymore. Besides economic and public diplomacy, military diplomacy has emerged as an important element in the diplomatic toolkit. We associate the military with the use of force and diplomacy with peaceful pursuits. However, states today leverage the non-kinetic potential of their armed forces to promote foreign policy and national security goals.

In the multilateral arena, military diplomacy is mostly used through UN peacekeeping missions. Pakistan is a leading contributor to UN peace missions, having provided over 235,000 troops and police personnel for four dozen UN peace missions, with some even sacrificing their life under the UN flag. Pakistan itself is home to one........

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