Afghanistan, Nov. 2 -- The recent peace negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul were marred by confusion, contradictory narratives, and a visible lack of diplomatic maturity. What was intended as a forum to de-escalate tensions along the Durand Line and restore mutual confidence instead turned into a showcase of mistrust, inconsistency, and missed opportunities. The way these talks unfolded reflected not only the fragility of the bilateral relationship but also a deeper problem within Pakistan's regional strategy - a lack of coordination between its military and diplomatic establishments, and an absence of coherent vision in managing one of its most sensitive frontiers.
For nearly forty-eight hours, South Asia watched the...