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  • 11 hours ago
A panel discussion highlights the growing confusion surrounding the US-Iran ceasefire agreement, particularly regarding Lebanon's status. While the United States maintains that the Israel-Lebanon conflict is a separate issue, Iran insists Lebanon is included in the truce and threatens to withdraw if strikes continue. Amidst this diplomatic chaos, Israel continues its military operations against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The conversation also analyzes Pakistan's role as a mediator hosting the US-Iran talks in Islamabad. The analysis suggests Pakistan is merely serving as a staging ground and messenger, with real authority resting with its military leadership rather than the civilian government. Furthermore, the discussion contrasts Pakistan's position with India's strategic approach. India has reportedly avoided a direct mediator role to protect its long-term geopolitical interests, opting instead for quiet diplomatic engagements. This is evidenced by the recent visits of India's External Affairs Minister to the United Arab Emirates, the Petroleum Minister to Qatar, and the Foreign Secretary to the United States.
Transcript
00:00Colonel Rohit Dev, what I am curious here is one of course the role of Pakistan.
00:04But then I also see how Israel is still on, pounding Lebanon for example,
00:10saying it's not part of the ceasefire deal.
00:12So what do you think is happening?
00:14There's so much mixed messaging that everyone's confused about ceasefire announced,
00:18but 60 hours later, bombardment is still on.
00:22So let me touch upon two very, very critical issues first,
00:25and then I'll come to the semantics of it.
00:27But while I agree with all the panelists, I totally disagree with Ambassador Sajanar
00:32when he says that Munir will be doing the catering service.
00:36No, that's not his job.
00:37That job is exclusive for Sabah Sharif in Pakistan because it's a military state.
00:42So I think we should be very, very clear that who calls the shot in Pakistan.
00:45So you think Field Marshal may have a more important role than the Pakistan Prime Minister?
00:49What role that would be?
00:51Yes, he will be the peon messenger who will carry the sealed envelopes,
00:55make sure there are no fingerprints of J.D. Vance on it,
00:58so that J.D. Vance can deny tomorrow that he didn't say it.
01:00And that initial part he will bridge before even Iranians and J.D. Vance
01:05come on any table thereafter.
01:07Sir, are we downplaying, let's be honest here,
01:10are we downplaying the role of Pakistan officials?
01:12Of course, we know Pakistan's real history, but the fact is they've also managed the negotiating table, sir.
01:18No, no, no, no.
01:19You're not even aware how that has come about.
01:21So let me tell you the third part.
01:23The second part is the Serena hotel.
01:26So Hunan should be telling the U.S. diplomats that Serena Williams has got nothing to do with this hotel.
01:31Before Trump goes on social and starts talking about Serena Williams' role,
01:35that can be a little absurd as well.
01:37Now, coming to Pakistan, the U.S. geopolitics and the gravitas of this country
01:42has today been reduced to the breadcrumbs of geopolitics.
01:46And that breadcrumb is Pakistan, which they are hinging to play,
01:51where a critical component of this entire war, Israel, is not at the table.
01:56Israel has very categorically announced Pakistan as the next target for terrorism to be dealt with.
02:02And I'm not sure any U.S. administration or the CIA in the future will not align with the Israeli
02:09thought.
02:09So it's a makeshift proposal.
02:11Primely on what you said, that entire GCC has been bombarded.
02:16Oman is playing a safe role because that's the only country
02:19which is within the 12 nautical miles of the territorial zone in terms of UN clause.
02:27And the second is Iran.
02:28So while Oman has ratified that UN clause, Iran has not.
02:31So Trump is absolutely not accurate by claiming that he is free to navigate through those waters
02:38because territorial zone has got a different connotation unless it is ratified.
02:42Now, coming down to roles, who was the best candidate to actually mediate?
02:48Now, think about it, a country which is OK with Iran,
02:51country which has got a geostrategic relationship and a strategic partner with Israel and U.S. both.
02:56That is one country, right?
02:57That country's flag I am wearing and you are proud of it as well.
03:00The chances are that India geopolitically did not take that bait and refused to be a mediator
03:07because India has got long-term engagements to be done with the entire stratosphere of this globe.
03:14And we have played it very well.
03:16And that is the reason, I think, that Rubio is now too keen.
03:20That is the reason why Mr. Mishri is in the United States just before these talks which were announced.
03:25So you played the geopolitical part.
03:27So there has to be the major players, the market drivers, the people who have got skin in the game.
03:32What skin in the game Pakistan has got?
03:34Unni said that, you know, 500 rupees is the crude.
03:37So America isn't even supplying crude at a lower rate to Pakistan.
03:40So do everything else.
03:41It's just a staging board.
03:42Yes, for the semantics of it, there will be photographs, there will be a press release.
03:47But believe you me, the natural drivers of these talks who are amicable globally, A, India.
03:53B, if it is the case that the U.S. wants to do something on the China plus one and
03:58play it more strategically,
03:59they are doing it very, very, very quietly.
04:01Okay.
04:02And that might be the play which will then run in China at some point of time.
04:05And I don't know if I'm reading too much into it, but Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Ajay Shankar heading to
04:10the United Arab Emirates on two-day visit as well.
04:14So precisely a lot of…
04:15Mr. Ardipur is in Qatar already.
04:17Correct.
04:18So a lot is happening in back-channel talks.
04:20He's the oil minister later.
04:21Yes.
04:21He's the diplomat by nature.
04:23Yes.
04:23So you can see what we are doing.
04:25So we don't have to talk about it.
04:26We don't have to compete.
04:27And I dare say, I've been saying for the last 30 years and only will agree, every military appreciation at
04:33the command level which I have seen is geopolitical scan with a Pakistan mention on the side.
04:37Remove Pakistan.
04:38It is inconsequential.
04:40And we have wasted in 30 minutes, about 20 minutes talking only about Pakistan.
04:44The game is what India is trying to create with U.S., Israel and Iran.
04:48And that game is in the shadows to ensure what we want to achieve.
04:52And I think that is the mood point to even go forward.
04:54We also have our own identity, our sanctity and security to maintain.
04:58And that's one of the reasons that our relationship with all of these nations stays intact.
05:03Please stay on with me because for the viewer, I want you to understand why this is one ceasefire, but
05:08such different versions.
05:09That is why you see the mixed messaging and bombardment still happening.
05:13America insisting that Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire deal, calling Israel-Lebanon conflict a separate skirmish altogether.
05:22Iran has a very different view.
05:23Iran said, but Lebanon was mentioned in the ceasefire deal.
05:27They are even threatening to exit this temporary truce if Lebanon is targeted.
05:32So it's not Lebanon as much as the support of Hezbollah, the proxy group that Iran supports.
05:36And therefore, they are demanding region-wide secession of hostilities.
05:39And they want to be seen in support of Lebanon.
05:42Otherwise, of course, Hezbollah would believe that they have been able, that they have been left isolated.
05:47Pakistan comes in here, playing a mediator factor, maintaining that Lebanon is included in the ceasefire deal, urging the respect
05:55of ceasefire across the region.
05:57The USA said there's a legitimate misunderstanding that has happened over it.
06:02Israel adding that they will fire missiles toward Lebanon because they are targeting the Hezbollah sites.
06:07Saying ceasefire does not apply to the Hezbollah front, which is primarily the border region in Israel.
06:13And they are going after Hezbollah because Hezbollah has been firing missiles toward Israeli territory.
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