Analysis

Conflict Alters Global Security Paradigms

Iran-Israel Conflict and the Recalibration of Global Power

The crisis demands urgent international engagement and a reinvigorated commitment to multilateral diplomacy

Dr. Abdullah G. Arijo

The Iran-Israel conflict, ignited by Israeli airstrikes on June 13 targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, has escalated into a dangerous confrontation. Iran’s missile strikes on Israeli cities, including Soroka Hospital, and Israel’s bombing of the Khondab reactor have left scores of dead. While U.S. President Donald Trump considers intervention, diplomatic efforts remain tentative. The UN and WHO have condemned attacks on civilians and healthcare institutions.

This conflict, the first between a nuclear-armed state (Israel) and a nuclear-threshold state (Iran), threatens regional stability and forces a recalibration of strategic postures across Asia. Alleging Tehran’s proximity to assembling nuclear warheads, Israel’s preemptive strikes prompted swift Iranian retaliation, disrupting the regional security calculus and reviving questions about deterrence and sovereignty.

The conflict underscores deeper systemic fragilities, namely the collapse of the JCPOA, erosion of the NPT, and resurgent great-power rivalries, raising the specter of global realignment.

East Asian Reactions

China, with vast energy and BRI stakes in the region, is urging de-escalation while avoiding direct involvement. Its cautious posture reflects a desire to protect global interests without jeopardizing key partnerships. South Korea, facing growing entanglement in global nuclear politics, may be compelled to reassess its strategic autonomy in light of U.S. policy linkages between East Asian and Middle Eastern theaters.

Pakistan’s Diplomatic Tightrope

Bordering Iran, Pakistan condemned Israeli actions yet refrained from taking sides. It has closed crossings, repatriated nationals, and offered mediation, striving to balance solidarity with Iran against the risks of sectarian spillover and economic fallout. Leaning too far toward Tehran could strain vital ties with Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, while also inviting internal tensions, particularly in Balochistan.

Still, cooperation with Iran could deepen in areas such as counterterrorism and border security. Pakistan’s dual-track diplomacy reflects a broader recalibration amid shifting global alignments.

Strategic Lessons

For Pakistan’s security establishment, the war is a sobering reminder of deterrence’s limitations. Talk of Israeli preemptive strikes may push Islamabad to revisit its nuclear doctrine vis-à-vis India, reinforce ties with China, and advocate for regional arms control. Globally, the war reveals the fragility of non-proliferation frameworks and the dangers of preventive warfare in a multipolar world.

A Faint Diplomatic Opening

Despite volatility, diplomatic signals suggest hope. Trump’s two-week window for talks, upcoming Geneva meetings with European and Iranian diplomats, and Tehran’s conditional openness to de-escalation reflect a fragile but real chance for dialogue. Human rights leaders have also called for restraint, emphasizing the civilian toll and risk of regional destabilization.

This crisis demands urgent international engagement and a reinvigorated commitment to multilateral diplomacy. Without it, the world risks sleepwalking into broader conflict.

Read: Role of Technology in Modern-Day Warfare

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Abdullah Arijo-Sindh CourierDr. Abdullah G. Arijo is a retired professor, ex: chairman, Department of Parasitology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, ex-advisor Academics & P&D to Vice Chancellor, SAU Tandojam. Email: Email: abdullaharijo@gmail.com 

 

 

 

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