Pakistan, July 28 -- When four days of cross-border shelling between Thailand and Cambodia killed over 30 people and forced nearly 200,000 civilians from their homes, it was not the United Nations or any global power that stepped in.

It was Malaysia, using its ASEAN standing and regional credibility, that secured an agreement for dialogue in Kuala Lumpur. The achievement lies in halting bloodshed and opening a channel for talks: an outcome that has become increasingly rare in international diplomacy.

Malaysia's role stands out for its clarity and restraint. It offered a neutral venue, avoided grandstanding, and earned the trust of both Bangkok and Phnom Penh. Neither country wanted outside powers with their own strategic interests dicta...