MEDIATION AS FOREIGN POLICY: PAKISTAN’S MEDIATION BETWEEN THE US AND IRAN

Öz

This study aims to provide an analysis of Pakistan’s mediation between the United States (US) and Iran during the 2026 war based on Saadia Touval’s “mediation as foreign policy” perspective within the framework of neoclassical realist theory of international relations. The study covers the period between February 28 to June 17, 2026. This study applies process tracing to evaluate the effectiveness of Pakistan’s mediation across the categories of Pakistan’s perceptions of the international system, its domestic motivations (economic stabilization, internal security, and political legitimacy) and its foreign policy objectives from regional and global perspectives. The findings indicate that Pakistan achieved most of its objectives by transforming its mediating role into solutions for its economic, security, and political needs. As a result, Pakistan achieved economic relief, transformed its problematic relations into strategic partnerships, and improved its international image. The study’s contribution to the mediation literature lies in its analytical value of treating mediation as foreign policy rather than merely a diplomatic exercise.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Mediation
• Foreign Policy
• Pakistan
• US-Iran War
• Middle East

Kaynakça

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