Pakistan eyes Oslo-style diplomacy as U.S.-Iran talks land in Islamabad

Pakistan has emerged as the host for high‑level U.S.–Iran talks, sparking talk of Islamabad becoming the ‘Oslo of the East.’ But while hosting talks can raise Pakistan’s international profile, it doesn’t guarantee influence over outcomes. The piece argues Pakistan brings useful assets—regional familiarity, military channels, and neutrality-like leverage—but faces limits from domestic politics, a fragile mediation infrastructure, and stiff competition from other mediators. Real impact will depend on building durable foreign policy capacity and securing wide international backing beyond China.