The current world order is facing significant challenges as states like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea challenge the dominance of the United States. These states dissent against unilateralism and interventionism and are working towards creating an alternative order based on multipolarity [ca5ac734].
Pakistan, despite its economic challenges, is a nuclear power and shares borders with two core powers of the alternative order, making it inclined towards aligning with this emerging order. Dr. Muhammad Ali Ehsan, in an opinion piece for The Express Tribune, suggests that Pakistan should consider economic regionalism and a strategic alliance with China and Russia. He argues that the United States has not provided significant benefits to Pakistan, and policymakers should question what grand strategic gestures the US can offer in the future. Instead, Ehsan emphasizes the importance of recovering the economy and reinstituting political progress as top priorities for Pakistan [ca5ac734].
This perspective from Dr. Ehsan highlights Pakistan's potential alignment with the emerging alternative world order. It underscores the country's strategic considerations and the need to reassess its alliances and priorities in the changing global landscape. Pakistan's geopolitical position and its nuclear capabilities make it an important player in the evolving multipolar world order.
In an opinion piece for The Hill by Andrew Latham, the concept of multi-alignment is explored in the context of the end of American global hegemony. Latham argues that China's rise and discontent with the American-led international order has led to a new era of multipolarity. This has given rise to the strategy of multi-alignment, where countries forge partnerships across ideological and geopolitical divides to advance their national interests. Unlike the rigid alliances of the Cold War, multi-alignment allows for strategic flexibility and adaptability. Middle powers, in particular, can leverage their strategic weight to extract benefits from various partners within the multipolar system. The Middle East and Southeast Asia are examples of regions where multi-alignment is taking place. While multi-alignment presents opportunities for tailored solutions and cooperation, it also poses risks of fluidity, competition, and coordination challenges. Major powers and international institutions must adapt to this new dynamic and prioritize a stable balance of power to ensure peace and prosperity in a multipolar world [17f81a87].
The integration of Latham's perspective on multi-alignment adds depth to the discussion on Pakistan's alignment with the emerging alternative world order. It highlights the broader trend of multi-alignment in the international system and the strategic considerations that countries like Pakistan must take into account. As the world moves towards a multipolar order, Pakistan's potential alignment with China and Russia becomes even more significant in the context of multi-alignment and the changing dynamics of global power.