India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers, started an armed conflict this month that could have led to unprecedented annihilation.

The war lasted only three days — it ended with President Trump jauntily announcing on TruthSocial, “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Indians were furious, with at one member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party saying, “Trump appeared suddenly out of nowhere and pronounced his verdict.” In Pakistan, however, there were mass celebrations in the streets. Trump was declared a hero.

The difference in the reactions is telling. It reveals the new geostrategic balance in the region, and how a war between India and Pakistan ended with the latter on top.

The story of this latest conflict began with a terrorist attack on Indian tourists in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir on Apr. 22. The attack left 26 dead at a time when Modi had been promoting the area as safe for tourists and no longer an embattled zone. India immediately — literally within an hour — blamed the strike on Pakistani-sponsored terror groups and vowed to avenge the attack.

In the two weeks that followed, the two armies remained on high alert.........

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