Taken together, US President Trump’s crisis management in 2025 represented a significant shift in the art of modern deterrence: an assertive posture underpinned by economic coercion, clear military signalling, and simultaneous diplomatic engagement. In South Asia, he effectively defused a nuclear crisis between India and Pakistan by strategically weaponizing trade incentives. In the Middle East, he prevented an Iran-Israel conflict from igniting a full-scale regional war through a calculated mix of sanctions, military readiness, and discreet backchannel diplomacy. In both theatres, Trump’s improvisational approach, his willingness to engage directly with foreign leaders, and his readiness to apply unconventional pressure decisively altered the calculations of all parties involved.

Pakistan’s decision to nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize has drawn a spectrum of reactions, with proponents viewing it as a judicious strategic move and detractors expressing opposition. A thorough understanding of the implications for Pakistan’s national interests is essential. The relationship between the USA and Pakistan has historically been characterized by its complexity, oscillating between periods of strategic partnership and mutual suspicion.

Nevertheless, the USA remains an exceptionally significant actor in Pakistan’s foreign policy considerations, not only due to its expansive global influence but also its considerable capacity to shape international narratives, economies, and security paradigms. The importance of the USA for Pakistan cannot be overstated, particularly concerning economic assistance, military cooperation, counterterrorism support, international diplomacy, and access to crucial global financial institutions such as th