Pakistan is suddenly sweating over Houthis attacking Saudi Arabia
Pakistan faces a difficult diplomatic position as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia threaten to pull Islamabad into a regional conflict. Despite its efforts to mediate between the US and Iran, Pakistan's security pact with Saudi Arabia makes the kingdom's defense a 'red line' for the country.
Why it matters
This highlights the precarious geopolitical balancing act Pakistan must perform to maintain its security alliances while avoiding direct involvement in Middle Eastern wars.
After Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels resumed attacks on Saudi Arabia, Pakistan is at increasingly uncomfortable position. On the surface, it may look like another flare-up in the Middle East. But for Islamabad, the stakes are much higher.The Houthi missile attacks have raised fears that Pakistan could eventually be sucked into a conflict it has spent months trying to avoid.That is because Pakistan is not just another country watching events unfold. It is one of Saudi Arabia's closest security partners. At the same time, it has also been trying to play the role of a mediator between the United States and Iran.Now, those two roles are beginning to collide.WHY ISLAMABAD IS FEELING THE PRESSUREOver the past few months, Pakistan has worked quietly to position itself as a diplomatic bridge in the region.
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