The Mishal Husain Show America’s Limits, Iran’s Leverage, Pakistan’s Moment: Maleeha Lodhi on a Shifting Order
18 snips
Apr 9, 2026 
Maleeha Lodhi, former Pakistani ambassador to the US, UK and UN, offers concise geopolitical analysis. She discusses Pakistan brokering US–Iran talks and the shifting leverage in the region. Short takes cover US miscalculations, Iran’s growing leverage, China’s rising role, and how middle powers are reshaping global influence.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Pakistan's Relentless Back-Channel Diplomacy
- Pakistan kept up relentless back-channel diplomacy with both Washington and Tehran, including constant calls from Field Marshal Asim Munir and the prime minister to Iranian leaders.
- Their persistence continued even when President Trump’s aggressive rhetoric threatened to derail progress, and both sides later softened maximalist positions.
Personal Rapport Between Munir And Trump Opened Doors
- A personal rapport between Field Marshal Asim Munir and President Trump grew from Pakistan arresting and extraditing a terrorist tied to the Kabul bombing and other gestures.
- That relationship included flattery and business offers that deepened Trump's favour toward Pakistani leaders.
How Pakistan Repositioned With Iran
- Pakistan rebuilt ties with Iran after cross-border strikes and by publicly showing solidarity following an Israeli-American attack, which earned Tehran's gratitude.
- High-level Iranian visits to Islamabad followed, positioning Pakistan as a credible mediator neither Oman nor Arab states could claim.