Today, Les, Jess, Amy, and Jamie unpack Pakistan’s reemergence on the global stage as a potential intermediary in the U.S.–Iran conflict. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken an active role in negotiations, with President Trump appearing open to Islamabad playing a larger diplomatic role. The outreach includes high-level engagement between U.S. officials and Pakistan’s military leadership, signaling a possible reset after years in which U.S. ties with India sidelined the relationship. Pakistan has also joined the Board of Peace initiative and is leaning into a dealmaking approach that aligns with the administration’s style, even as it maintains strong economic ties with China and a history of balancing between competing powers.

Is Pakistan a credible broker in the Iran conflict, or simply playing both sides as it has in the past? What does this renewed engagement mean for U.S. relationships with traditional partners like India? Why is Washington turning to nontraditional partners at this stage of the conflict? And should Congress demand greater clarity on what, exactly, the administration is offering Islamabad in return for its role?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

@nottvjessjones

@lestermunson

@amykmitchell

@msjamiejackson

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Today, Jess, Les, Matthew, and Matt unpack the growing uncertainty in Iran as the United States prepares to deploy up to 3,000 additional troops while President Trump advances a 15-point peace plan. At the center of this moment is a fragile leadership picture, with Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly in power but sidelined by injury and inexperience, and figures like Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emerging as potential intermediaries—or future power brokers.

Who is actually speaking for the U.S. in these talks, and is there a credible counterpart on the Iranian side? As a coalition forms to secure global energy flows, does this mark a turning point in allied coordination? With rapid advances in defense technology underway, is this conflict reshaping not just the region, but the future of warfare?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

@nottvjessjones

@lestermunson

@WMattHayden

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Today, Morgan, Les, Jess, and Matt examine Iran's latest escalation after Tehran launched two intermediate-range missiles at Diego Garcia, a US-UK joint base on Friday. This morning, President Trump announced a five-day pause on strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure, claiming weekend progress in talks with Iran. The announcement comes as Iran demonstrates it can now hold more than just the Middle East hostage, with its longer-range capabilities potentially dragging Europe directly into the conflict.

Is Trump's pause a genuine diplomatic opening or a negotiation tactic? With Iran's longer-range capabilities in play and the Strait of Hormuz increasingly unstable, will European capitals finally be compelled to act? What does this mean for U.S. marines deploying to the region?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

@morganlroach

@nottvjessjones

@lestermunson

@WMattHayden

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