Fareed Zakaria’s assessment captures a stark geopolitical shift that has left the India-Pakistan conflict dangerously untethered from traditional mechanisms of crisis containment. As Operation Sindoor escalates tensions between two nuclear-armed nations, the international response—or lack thereof—marks a notable departure from previous episodes of regional brinkmanship.
Key Points from Zakaria's Analysis:
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A Power Vacuum in Global Diplomacy:
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The U.S., traditionally a stabilizing force, has adopted a more isolationist posture under Donald Trump. In contrast to its active role during the Uri (2016) and Balakot (2019) crises, the current U.S. administration is deeply divided on foreign policy.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s efforts to urge restraint are undermined by Vice President JD Vance's blunt disinterest, reflecting a growing rift between interventionist and non-interventionist factions within the Republican leadership.
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Trump's labeling of India’s military action as “a shame” further muddles America's diplomatic posture, weakening its credibility with both India and Pakistan.
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The Erosion of American Influence:
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Zakaria warns that the U.S. is no longer seen as a neutral or credible intermediary, particularly by Pakistan, which now views Washington as overtly aligned with India.
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This is a significant departure from the past, when U.S. intervention helped secure the release of IAF pilot Abhinandan and ease tensions post-Balakot.
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China’s Ambiguous Role:
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Despite its deep ties with Pakistan, China has chosen a muted and ambivalent stance, likely to avoid direct involvement or backlash.
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While Beijing offered to play a “constructive role,” India’s mistrust of Chinese intentions and past border clashes make it an unacceptable intermediary from New Delhi’s perspective.
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Europe and the UN: Powerless or Unwanted:
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The EU lacks military and diplomatic weight to impact events in South Asia.
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India has historically resisted UN involvement, citing sovereignty concerns and the ineffectiveness of international forums in curbing cross-border terrorism.
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India Left to Manage Alone:
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With no reliable external moderator, India is now forced to craft and execute its crisis response independently.
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Zakaria notes India is trying to project restraint, a signal to the world of its maturity and responsibility, while still demonstrating the ability to strike with precision.
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The Risks of a "Post-American" World:
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Zakaria’s deeper concern is structural: a world without a trusted superpower, where localized conflicts risk spiraling into regional or even global crises.
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In the absence of credible diplomacy, militarized flashpoints like South Asia become more volatile, especially when misinformation, political radicalism, and domestic pressures are high on both sides.
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Bottom Line
Zakaria’s warning is clear: the international safety net is fraying, and without proactive global engagement—especially from the U.S.—South Asia risks slipping into uncontrolled escalation. India, despite being militarily superior and diplomatically seasoned, must navigate this moment with both strength and restraint, as Pakistan’s internal instability and military entanglement with terror groups remain unpredictable.
