Pakistan, Dec. 2 -- There is quite a fuss about Saudi Arabia possibly positioning itself for direct or indirect ties with Israel. It has just allowed an overflight to the Israeli airlines. The UAE and Bahrain have already accorded recognition to the oppressor of the Palestinians. Egypt and Jordan did this decades ago. All of them enjoy excellent political and trade relations with our eastern neighbor India, which has - at least as of now - our western neighbour Afghanistan under its thumb.

Where does this leave the economically struggling Pakistan? More exposed to international political and economic black-mail? Probably yes. Let us see how!

China and Turkey - two of Pakistan's best friends -maintain both diplomatic and trade relations ...