Islamabad (TDI): The Financial Times has praised Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir for his deft handling of Pakistan’s foreign policy amid the United States’ gradual retreat from its role as the world’s strategic overseer.
In a wide-ranging commentary on the accelerating decline of US global influence under President Donald Trump, the FT argues that while many countries have struggled to adapt to Washington’s sudden withdrawal, Pakistan’s military leadership has demonstrated notable agility.
The paper describes Chief of Defense Forces and Army Chief Asim Munir as the “first prize” among middle-power leaders recalibrating their foreign policies to respond to what it terms Trump’s “casual approach to the world.”
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The analysis situates Pakistan’s positioning within a broader historical context, comparing America’s retreat from global leadership to previous instances when former empires lost control after attempting managed reforms.
While China has not aggressively filled the vacuum, the FT contends this has created opportunities for “entrepreneurial middle powers,” with Pakistan emerging as a leading example.
Describing Gen. Munir as “the very model of a middle power multi-aligner,” the paper highlights his ability to maintain active engagement across Washington, Beijing, Riyadh, and Tehran.
This adaptability, the FT notes, allows Islamabad to sustain US engagement without facing the traditional democracy-focused pressures often accompanying American diplomacy.
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The commentary also observes that this agile balancing act has created challenges for rivals such as India, which has struggled to manage its foreign policy amid Trump’s unpredictable approach, whereas Pakistan has successfully leveraged the evolving global landscape to its advantage.
