A CLEAR victory in war can be difficult to determine, as a conflict’s actual impact unfolds over time through political, economic and strategic outcomes. Human losses, destruction of infrastructure and targeting of military assets are only the visible dimensions of a conflict — the more decisive element rests in dialogue as all wars conclude at the negotiating table. Yet, managing such a table is neither simple nor automatic. It requires credibility, balance and strategic patience, qualities that Pakistan has tried to demonstrate by facilitating engagement between Iran and the US.

Pakistan’s facilitation has largely been confined to bringing together the long-time adversaries that were once partners but later confronted each other through multiple conflicts, employing a wide range of tactics and strategies to counter one another. It is uncertain at this point whether these negotiations will herald a new phase in relations between Iran and the US. The prospects of rebuilding the level of trust that existed during the Shah’s era appear limited, especially in view of the hard-line orientation of the current regime in Iran — this war, in fact, might have reinforced Tehran’s sense of strategic pride and made the country more hesitant to move closer to a state it has long defined as an adversary. In fact, this view has shaped much of Iran’s geopolitical and geo-economic outlook.

The implications of the war are significant. The regime in Iran has survived, but survival alone should not be mistaken for strength, as the country is now militarily stretched and faces political........

© Dawn