A COLD war in the Middle East has already begun. This time the contenders are not fighting for the title of the ‘world’s superpower’, but for their stronghold in the region. Saudi Arabia and Iran have not officially declared war against each other, but they are involved in playing proxy wars in countries geographically and economically small. In Yemen, the Saudis are backing the Sunni government and sending their military troops for the aid against the Iranian-backed Hauthis, while in Syria the scenario is vice versa; Iran is supporting the regime of Bashar al Assad while Saudi Arabia is on the side of the rebels.

This war has not done any good to Saudi Arabia and Iran; but it has definitely caused crimes against humanity, and violations of international law.

Recently, Saudi Arabia, with three other Arab countries, cut diplomatic ties with Qatar accusing it of funding extremists and terrorists. Iran is now supporting Qatar for trade and food. Pakistan needs to re-formulate its foreign policy as regards the Saudi-Iran conflict. Both of them are important for Pakistan: one has more than 1.5m Pakistanis living on its soil, the other shares a 900-kilometre-long border with Pakistan. This is a litmus test for Pakistani diplomats to prove their effectiveness.

S. Sidra Majid

Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2017