How Pakistan Navigates the Saudi Arabia-Iran Rivalry

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman recently visited Pakistan to finalize agreements on new projects in the energy sector and other areas, which solidified a $20 billion Saudi investment in Pakistan’s economy to match the scale of China, Islamabad’s principal ally. Pakistani military cooperation with Saudi Arabia has also remained strong, with the former Pakistani chief of army staff Raheel Sharif now heading a Saudi-sponsored military coalition.

The deepening relationship between Pakistan and the Gulf states comes at a period of high tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran, whose border with Pakistan has also been the site of periodic clashes and whose past efforts to launch a gas pipeline project linking the two countries remains stalled.

Speakers: Ankit Panda Senior Editor, The Diplomat

Karen Young Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute

Alex Vatanka Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute

Ambassador Richard Olson, moderator Former United States Ambassador to Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates