What's happened
US Secretary of State Blinken visits China to discuss the Middle East crisis and appreciate Chinese efforts to engage with Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian President Raisi visits Pakistan to enhance regional and bilateral relations, leading to the US warning Pakistan of sanctions risk due to increased cooperation with Iran.
Why it matters
The interactions between the US, China, Iran, and Pakistan are crucial for regional stability. The US-China collaboration, despite their rivalry, shows a shared interest in peace. Raisi's visit to Pakistan and the subsequent warning from the US highlight the delicate balance of power and alliances in the Middle East.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports on the US warning Pakistan of sanctions risk due to increased cooperation with Iran, emphasizing the potential impact on Pakistan's foreign policy. South China Morning Post discusses Blinken's visit to China and the shared interests of the US and China in maintaining security and stability in the Middle East.
How we got here
Iranian President Raisi's visit to Pakistan follows recent tensions with Israel, while the US and China are engaging diplomatically amidst the Middle East crisis. The US warning to Pakistan underscores the complex dynamics of alliances and power plays in the region.
More on these topics
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Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
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Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country with a population exceeding 212.2 million. It is the 33rd-largest country by area, spanning 881,913 square kilometres.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.