Truth, it is said, is the first casualty of war. It means where there is war, there is little or no truth but, at the same time, it can also be the other way round – war or insurgency is often the outcome of mistrust and doublespeak. Quite ironically, it holds true for relations between countries in the strife-ridden world even in times of relative peace. Thus the clash of interests between Pakistan and the US and what many see as an ‘all-time low’ in their ties evoke little surprise.

It is with this background a star-studded panel set about discussing the possibilities for the world to be ‘outside the American prism’ at a Sunday (concluding day) session of the sixth Lahore Literary Festival at Alhamra’s Hall No 1.

Broaching the subject was BBC journalist Lyse Doucet who spoke about the significance in today’s world of history and politics which are “inextricably linked”. She said it’s important to understand that at a time when there is talk about ‘America First’ idea, “a world does exist beyond it”.

European Council on Foreign Relations director Mark Leonard gave an overview of how the US is trying to recalibrate its role in the fast-changing world and President Trump employing rhetoric that is striking a chord with many in the country. “Trump seems to be the first president designed to reshape American image abroad,” he said.

The fact that China is creating a world without America through its monumental projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) having both hard and soft infrastructures is a cause for consternation for the US, according to the speaker. And in this equation, he said, Pakistan is without doubt the front-runner of the new world.

Pakistan, moderator Lyse Doucet quipped, has been juggling alliances throughout history – between allies and enemies.

Vociferously pleading Pakistan’s case and role in the global power equation, Hina Rabbani Khar, who remained the foreign minister from February 2011 until March 2013, explained how the country had been trying to fulfil its obligations amid dynamics of a changing world in the last many decades. As for the US, she said, it’s important to understand what makes a superpower, a superpower. “Unfortunately, US President Trump’s infamous tweet in the beginning of this year was not based on facts and his country ended up losing credibility and predictability that are the pillars of a foreign policy,” she said.

The articulate Ms Khar also had a word about where Pakistan and India are heading. Pakistan, in her view, has done a tremendous job of gradually coming out of the “dark deep shadows” and improved its image in the world whereas Modi’s India is going downhill.

Seasoned journalist Zahid Hussain started off by citing a former CIA employee’s book ‘88 Days to Kandahar: A CIA Diary’ which, he said, rightly exposed the recent wars the US had been engaged in. “The US has fought two wars – first from 2001 to 2004 in which it managed to somewhat eliminate Al Qaeda and the second one against the Taliban which remains indecisive,” he said.

What’s more alarming is, he said, the US is getting into the third war in Afghanistan and that too without a clear-cut strategy. “There is no exit strategy,” he said while pointing out the fact that the Afghan war had become more complex with the involvement of multiple players including Russia, China and Iran. “The war of sanctuaries is the saddest aspect of it,” said Mr Hussain, who is also an acclaimed author.

Given that the insurgency in the war-torn country had gone from bad to worse, he said, there seemed no endgame in Afghanistan – a country roiled by a massive wall of mistrust.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2018