ISSI Releases Issue Brief on Strategic Competition in the New Middle East and Its Implications for Pakistan.

On August 5, 2026, the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) issued a publication that examines how shifts in the Middle East’s strategic environment affect Pakistan. The brief, titled “Why Iraq Matters in the New Middle East: Strategic Competition and Implications for Pakistan,” outlines key developments in Iraq and neighboring countries that could influence Pakistan’s security and policy options. ISSI’s analysts discuss the competitive relationships among regional powers and how these contests shape Iraq’s position within the Middle East. The brief specifically addresses how changes in Iraq’s security posture may alter Pakistan’s strategic calculations. This February‑6 2026 release provides policymakers and scholars with an updated assessment of Iraq’s role in the evolving geopolitical landscape and its significance for Pakistan’s interests.