{
  "id": 1020952,
  "title": "The strategic imperative: Why Europe cannot afford to sideline Pakistan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/the-strategic-imperative-why-europe-cannot-afford-to-sideline-pakistan",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-15T11:12:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2023032/the-strategic-imperative-why-europe-cannot-afford-to-sideline-pakistan"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The European Union's influence in regions critical to its security and economy is waning, with Iran's case serving as a prime illustration. Once the deal-maker for the Iran nuclear deal, Europe has been sidelined by US-Iran negotiations and regional security calculations. It has become a passive observer in the conflict, unable to participate in operations or diplomatic efforts. Pakistan, on the other hand, has strategically moved into this power vacuum, forging a close military relationship with the US through Field Marshal Asim Munir, who had a prior connection with US President Donald Trump. Pakistan's historical ties with Iran, along with newer bonds with China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Gulf monarchies, enable it to create a diplomatic corridor that Europe cannot replicate. This effort culminated in the highest-level US-Iran meeting since 1979, which resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the war. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledges Pakistan's role as the primary vehicle for de-escalation, marking a shift in the EU-Pakistan relationship. The Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework, a trade preference program, has become the EU's primary leverage over Pakistan's policymaking, offering approximately €732 million annually in trade preferences. However, Pakistan's compliance with the GSP+ framework has regressed on certain issues, including enforced disappearances, civic space, and counter-terrorism laws. The EU's criticism may be more effective if it considers Pakistan's security environment, as militant groups like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) pose a significant threat, complicating counter-terrorism cooperation. Pakistan, facing militant pressure, has a vested interest in addressing the EU's governance concerns to maintain GSP+ eligibility. The EU-Pakistan partnership must address both security and governance aspects, with improved counter-terrorism cooperation paired with continued GSP+ conditionality.",
  "summary": "The European Union faces a sobering geopolitical reality: its influence in regions, such as the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, that directly affect its security and economic interests is diminishing. The Iranian dossier serves as the clearest example. Once a primary architect of the Iran nuclear deal, the EU now finds itself marginalised as US-Iran backchannel negotiations and regional…",
  "key_points": [
    "Europe's influence waning in security/economic critical regions, with Iran as prime example.",
    "Pakistan strategically fills power vacuum, forging close ties with US and other nations.",
    "EU-Pakistan partnership hinges on addressing Pakistan's security/governance concerns."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}