Pakistan's Growing Confidence Over Afghanistan May Prove Costly, Analysts Warn

Pakistan has been displaying increasing assertiveness in its dealings with Afghanistan under Taliban rule, buoyed by its perceived role as a regional mediator. However, analysts caution that Islamabad may be overestimating its influence over the Taliban, with whom relations have grown increasingly strained. Despite past mediation successes, Pakistan's ability to pressure or destabilize the Taliban government carries significant risks. Historically, Pakistan has pursued regional strategies that have backfired, raising concerns that its current Afghan policy could follow a similar pattern.