The Afghanistan Pressure Point — And the Qatar Problem
Pakistan’s relationship with Afghanistan is strained, volatile, and increasingly militarised along the border. Escalation — even limited — is no longer theoretical.
Until recently, Qatar positioned itself as a mediator between Islamabad and Kabul. That channel stalled. Pakistan didn’t fully bite.
Enter the UAE.
But not as a neutral helper — as a competing mediator.
The UAE and Qatar do not operate in alignment. They are strategic rivals, most visibly in Libya, where both backed opposing factions and divergent regional visions.
If Qatar failed to deliver restraint or influence, the UAE now appears ready to step in — not merely to de-escalate, but to reassert itself as the region’s preferred power broker.
This isn’t peacekeeping.
It’s influence management.
