World moving toward multipolar order as US dominance fades, says former Pakistan ambassador

The world is moving toward a more multipolar order as US dominance continues to fade, former Pakistani ambassador Maleeha Lodhi said, pointing to recent developments in the Middle East as evidence of shifting global power dynamics.

In an interview with Bloomberg published on Thursday (9 April), Lodhi said the limits of military power were evident in the recent conflict involving the United States and Iran, noting that even the combined military strength of the United States and Israel was met with resistance from a militarily weaker country.

"Military supremacy doesn't achieve the outcome that is desired," she said, adding that recent events reflect a broader redistribution of global power.

Lodhi said the situation highlights how nationalism can strengthen resistance, noting that countries under attack tend to close ranks internally despite political differences.

She also pointed to Pakistan's role in facilitating contacts between Washington and Tehran, saying both military and civilian leaders were actively engaged in backchannel diplomacy.

According to Lodhi, Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, maintained close communication with US officials, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif remained in contact with the Iranian leadership during the crisis.

She attributed Pakistan's role to its ties with both countries, noting improved relations with Iran after tensions in 2024 and strong engagement with the United States during President Donald Trump's second term.

Lodhi said a few countries were in a position to mediate between the two sides, as Arab states were ruled out, Oman had faced setbacks in earlier efforts, and Turkey did not have the same level of access to the US administration.

She said the stakes were high for Pakistan, as a prolonged conflict would have deepened economic pressure, particularly given the country's reliance on Gulf oil imports and its ongoing International Monetary Fund programme.

Lodhi noted that both the US and Iran initially adopted hardline positions but later stepped back, creating space for negotiations, although key issues such as the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved.

She also cautioned that the success of any agreement could depend on whether Israel refrains from undermining a potential ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the high-level US-Iran talks in Pakistan ended without agreement after more than 20 hours of negotiations, with major differences over Tehran's nuclear programme remaining unresolved.

Lodhi said the decline in US dominance is part of a longer-term shift rather than the result of a single conflict, noting that power has been gradually dispersing globally.

She also questioned the effectiveness of the US military presence in the region, saying Washington may rethink the value of maintaining large troop deployments when it cannot fully determine outcomes.

Reflecting on broader implications, Lodhi said the Middle East is undergoing lasting changes, with regional dynamics shifting and questions emerging over the role of external powers.